But only months after it was incorporated any apprehension seems to have been wholly unnecessary.

In that time the Men’s Shed has attracted more than 60 members, received $6000 from the Narromine USMC and taken out an Encouragement Award at the local business awards.

Not to mention visits by parliamentarians Dawn Fardell who officially opened the shed on August 15, and John Cobb.

Foundation member and shed manager Roger Blackman said they had been “blown away” by the level of community support for the organisation.

“Put it this way, we were hoping it was going to be good but it has blown us out of the water, way above what we thought,” Mr Blackman said.

Mr Blackman said the Men’s Shed provided a social outlet for members including some who often had difficulty leaving their homes.

“It is getting men away from home, getting a little bit of a social life... mateship is what I plug, it’s the thing that really gets people moving.”

Ms Fardell, who donated a computer for the cause, noted the Men’s Sheds were striking a chord within her electorate.

“The examples right through my electorate, that I’m aware of, they have just gone from strength to strength, men of all ages from all walks of life,” Ms Fardell said

“The best thing is the community gets involved. I walked in here today not expecting Narromine to have much equipment but the community have come forward... it is the community giving back to the community.”

Ms Fardell said she was particularly pleased with the way the Narromine group had worked with the established shed in Parkes in getting the new facility up and running.

“It’s encouraging to see men working together within their communities but when they are also reaching out across communities you begin to see just how significant this movement is and the potential it has to change lives,” Ms Fardell said.

“Keith Richardson and the other committee members are to be congratulated for the positive way they’ve addressed the need and the way the shed is contributing to the lives of men in the community.’’