Armidale Men's Shed

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START COMING ALONG TO THE MEN’S SHED?

After I retired from the council. I had to make display cabinets for McCrossin’s Mill and needed the use of specific machinery, and I worked with Col Harris. 

YOU ARE THE ‘YODA’ OF WOODWORKING FOR THE WOMEN’S WOODWORKING GROUP. HOW DID YOU BECOME THE MAIN GO-TO GUY FOR THE GROUP?

Walked into the shed one day (at the old location) on the same afternoon the Women’s Woodworking Group was on. The women asked if I was the new instructor as theirs had just moved away. There were some things they needed help with that day so I agreed to show them how to do it….and I’ve been showing them ever since.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING TIME DOING WHEN YOU’RE HERE?

Showing the women how to do their projects.
I enjoy all aspects of woodwork – don’t like repairing chairs though.

Peter IS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF MEMBERS WHO DONATES HIS TIME AND EXPERTISE EVERY TUESDAY - RAIN, HAIL OR SHINE - TO THE WOMEN’S WOODWORKING GROUP.

WHAT ONE THING WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE ARMIDALE MEN’S SHED?

We have great equipment to build whatever you want to build.

AND A FEW GET-TO-KNOW-YOU QUESTIONS…

DID YOU PURSUE A PARTICULAR CAREER PATH?

Yes, I was a ships joiner. A shipwright does the outside of the boat and the ships joiner constructs the woodwork inside the boat.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES?

Crochet. There isn’t anything in particular I like to make, I do whatever takes my fancy. Sometimes people I know ask me to make things for them.

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT INSTANTLY MAKES YOUR DAY BETTER?

My 4.30pm glass of wine

WHAT WAS/IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY?

Fishing at South West Rocks

DO YOU HAVE A PET?

My dog, Lupi

IF YOUR PET COULD TALK, WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY MIGHT SAY TO YOU?

Give me food!!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SEASON - WHY?

Spring, because I do a bit of gardening

ASIDE FROM NECESSITIES, WHAT ONE THING COULD YOU NOT GO A DAY WITHOUT?

My 4:30pm glass of wine!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL?

[Snorts & laughs] Not going!

WHAT MOVIE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD WATCH, OR BOOK YOU WISH YOU COULD READ AGAIN, FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A NICKNAME?

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?

I always liked to build so it was always going to be something around that.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? 

Something funny…

WHAT EXCUSE DO YOU USE WHEN YOU NEED ONE?

I know nothing!!!

WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?

Crystal Singer by Anne McCaffrey. It’s a young adult, science fiction novel.

IS THERE A QUOTE OR SAYING THAT HAS STAYED WITH YOU OVER TIME?

‘Work is the curse of the drinking class’

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WASH UP ON SHORE?

Food and fishing rods

A GENIE GRANTS YOU THE ABILITY TO HAVE INFINITE AMOUNTS OF ONE ITEM. WHAT IS IT?

$10 notes

IF YOU WERE A SUPER-HERO, WHAT SUPER-POWER WOULD YOU HAVE?

Flying

IF YOU HAD A WARNING LABEL, WHAT WOULD YOURS SAY?

Keep out!

IF YOU COULD EAT ONLY ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE??

Kentucky chook

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?

Roast chicken. My mother always ate chicken.

WHAT WEIRD FOOD COMBINATIONS DO YOU REALLY ENJOY?

Celeriac or cauliflower rice instead of spuds

WHAT FOOD DID YOU DISLIKE AS A CHILD THAT YOU LOVE NOW?

I really love pumpkin but never had it as a kid so don’t know if I wouldn’t have liked it then.

WHAT'S THE MOST UNUSUAL OR UNPLEASANT THING YOU'VE EVER EATEN?

Tripe!

AND THE BIG QUESTION…

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CONTENTIOUS TOPICS OF CONVERSATION THAT CAN BRING DISCORD TO THE MOST CIVILIZED OF DISCUSSIONS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE TOPIC OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA – YES OR NO?

If it’s a ham and pineapple – yes. 
If it’s a marguerita - no.

Pete at work