Not only is a striking new table a piece of the South East's history, it is also an example of what members of the Bega Men's Shed can create when they work together.
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With an idea that came from the men's shed's president Eric Myers, its members pitched in to help him make a table from old road signs that mainly came from the Snowy Mountains, but are also from Mumbulla Shire, Bermagui and Tathra.
"In some way I'm advertising the men's shed, but it does give the blokes in the shed something to be part of," Mr Myers said.
He said the road signs were given to him by Jan and Vern McNiel, who had been holding onto them for the past 50 years after being handed them by a brother-in-law when they had been replaced.
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"When I heard about them I thought I'd like to do something with them and recycle them," he said.
"They had pot plants on them, they were being used in the garden.
"I thought it's something that could be a talking piece when you're sitting around having a barbecue."
With help from men's shed members Fred Zonneveld, Ray Booth and Clifford Klerks, over 30 hours the frame was welded, timber was cut, the signs' letters and numbers were painted and the table was formed.
It was about $240-worth of materials, but the cost of manpower was incalculable.
"I couldn't have done it without them," Mr Myers said.
The men's shed is open to new members, and not only is it a place for people to work on projects but also to chat to someone.
"If they go home feeling better than what they did before they came to the shed, then we've achieved something," Mr Myers said.
The shed is at the site of the Old Bega Hospital and is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
