The Bega and District Historical Machinery Club celebrated the official opening of its new clubhouse with a Christmas barbecue and drinks recently.

The shed has been a labour of love for club members, who have been building it all themselves since signing an agreement for the land in November 2010.

“We can turn our hands to most things,” an understated club president Peter Caragher said at the opening.

The shed has been helped along by community service grants, including $5000 from the IMB Community Foundation.

Cathy Benzie from IMB Bega was a guest at the recent barbecue.

“This is fantastic,” she said, “you could live in it.”

To which Mr Caragher replied “with the amount of time we spend here our wives think we already do!”

The shed is fitted out with secure storage, a generator and water pump, a “long drop” toilet – made from a beer keg – and members are working on completing kitchen facilities and a shower.

The shed will become the club’s workshop and meeting space, as well as storage of their historic engines instead of having them clutter up members’ homes.

“We’re very pleased,” Mr Caragher said.

He also encouraged younger generations to consider joining the club.

“We can teach them to restore old motors and, let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger.”