And, the groups based at Timbertown Heritage Theme Park have backed a push to keep the tourist attraction open.

Hastings Woodworkers Guild volunteer Bill Hancock, 66, visits the guild’s Timbertown base twice a week.

“It means there is an outlet for me to do something constructive and it helps me to have friendships with other people my age,” Mr Hancock said.

The 75 woodwork members are worried about the park’s future in light of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Timbertown review looking at all the options from closing the park through to boosting its facilities.

The woodworkers have extended their Timbertown work shed since their move to the park in 2005.

The group has donated about $5000 to the Port Macquarie Base Hospital oncology unit in the past three years, and distributed about $8000 worth of toys last year through the Country Women’s Association.

The group expects to make a similar toy donation this year.

Up to 40 people use the nearby Hastings Men’s Shed each week.

Hastings Men’s Shed coordinator Peter Nash wrote to Oxley MP Andrew Stoner and Port Macquarie MP Peter Besseling after the council announced its Timbertown review last week .

The men’s shed is funded by donations from businesses, other volunteer groups and the wider community.

“Our rent of the area at Timbertown fits in our budget and it is a relaxing and therapeutic place for the men to meet and to keep active in various activities including woodwork, metalwork and push bike repairs etc,” the letter said.

“Most importantly, the men have the opportunity to meet and interact with other men and to feel useful to their community.”

The letter said research showed the types of activities provided by the men’s shed, Hastings Woodworkers, the Friends of Timbertown and the other organisations based in Timbertown promoted the social interaction, healthy lifestyle and self esteem that were powerful preventive measures against the physical and mental illnesses putting a drain on the medical system.

Mr Nash wants the state government to contribute towards Timbertown’s future.

The volunteers will be represented at forums, starting on July 13, where the community will get the opportunity to have a say about Timbertown’s future.