But that very gesture was enough to cause Bob to shed a few tears.

“The cake arrived and there was a card. And when I opened it up every one of the shed’s 70 or so active members had signed it,” Bob said after the celebrations were over.

“I really did have a few tears in my eyes. That’s what this place means to me; these blokes are more like brothers.

“I get to come here each Tuesday and Thursday and I really enjoy the friendships, the camaraderie and passing on some skills.

“But I don’t really enjoy the jokes so much. They’re terrible.”

Originally from ‘south of the border’ – Victoria – Bob and wife of 62 years Rhonda visited Port Macquarie for a holiday.

“By the time we got home, Rhonda had the house on the market and within a month we had sold up and moved up here,” Bob said.

“We haven’t looked back since.”

Bob says the secrets to the success of the men’s shed are there for everyone to see. It’s about sharing knowledge around the shed, spending time on projects, and building up everyone’s skills.

“And it’s about learning from your mistakes,” he adds.

Bob says attending a men’s shed also ‘keeps the body and brain moving’ and describe it as the best thing he’s ever done.

“You know I had some health issues this time last year – (he was actually paralysed from the waist down for a period of time) – but getting myself to the shed on a regular basis was part of why I got back on my feet.”

Hastings Men’s Shed operates on Central Road each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 9am until 3pm and at Wauchope showground each Tuesday and Thursday from 8am until 2pm. For information contact 6581 4421 or email, hastingsmensshed@gmail.com