Our Story
Michael Burlace, who initially conceived the idea of the Lower Blue Mountains Men’s Shed (LMMS) during 2008, announced he was leaving the area early December 2010, following which Ramon U’Brien took on the role of endeavouring to establish a shed.
On Tuesday, 14th December 2010 at 9:45am, five men (Colin Dubi, Colin Carr, Robert Burcher, Francis Andrew Howard, and Ramon U’Brien) gathered at 19 Calver Avenue, Mt Riverview to discuss setting up a Men’s Shed. From that meeting, an application was made to the Department of Fair Trading for registration.
One week later the Lower Mountains Men's Shed was Incorporated as a Not-For-Profit Incorporated Association. The shed at Calver Avenue was a 3m x 4m windowless room, within a community woodworking building plus use of a carport.
The shed did not have any tools and relied on members to bring their own. It wasn’t until 1st February 2011, that the first “Shed Day” was held. The first LMMS project was the painting of the walls & ceiling of the room at Calver Avenue that had previously been the music room of the Mt Riverview Youth Centre. The walls were covered in bright graffiti of Kiss, etc. The next was the construction of a mobile workbench (still in use at the NMS,18 Simeon Rd, Orchard Hills) beginning with scrap timber from under Ramon’s house that could be moved from the small room out into the yard for operations.
Over the next six months, the membership steadily grew - there was much excitement when 'double figures’ were reached.’ With the increasing membership, community donations of tools also increased. During this time Ron Langley was President and OH&S Officer, Ramon U’Brien (Public Officer) Peter Standen (Secretary) Terry Bray (Treasurer) and Roger Bigland (Committee).
On the 26th November 2011, the first official Annual General Meeting was held and the first committee elected: President; Ron Langley, Vice President; Ramon U’Brien, Treasurer; Terry Bray, Secretary; Peter Standen, OH&S Officer; Bob Maynard, Project Co-ordinator; Denis Clunie and Assistant to Project Officer; Greg Millar.
The following months proved extremely busy for shed members with many community projects and sausage sizzles at Bunnings Valley Heights. In March 2012, Bunnings South Penrith agreed to allow the shed to conduct regular Saturday sausage sizzles. This soon became a successful income stream for the shed
With the membership increasing to 30+ the search was on for a new home.
During July 2011, the logo and letterhead were approved and in January 2012, it became policy that no member should attend the shed alone while conducting shed activities. During these years significant effort was spent in identifying bigger and more suitable premises, ranging from undertaking negotiations with the Falconbridge Church Hall and other locations. Identifying a suitable location was an ongoing issue. A site attached to Leonay Golf Club was identified and negotiations with Scouts and Panthers was of no avail.
Between April and June 2013, discussions commenced with Stuart Ayers MP and Penrith City Council and during November 2013, the Lower Mountains Men’s Shed became known as the Nepean Men’s Shed.
Photograph taken in 2015 inside our new shed.
Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor-General of Australia during his visit to the shed in 2017.
It was during 2014 that members Ken Gibbons and Geoff Thorne casually mentioned that the Nepean Rescue Organisation (of which they were members) was ceasing operations, and as an Incorporated Association, the Nepean Rescue Squad had to distribute their assets to another likeminded organisation. The first impression of 18 Simeon Rd was one of "Shock and Awe" given the limitations of Calver Avenue. Interest was sparked and so began two years of negotiations. Mike Siegle (President) was authorised to negotiate with Penrith City Council and Ron Langley was designated the press spokesman.
During November 2014, a commercial lease arrangement ($400 per month) was reached for the use of the property.
Although the building was in good condition, a considerable amount of work was required to meet building standards. A Community Building Program Grant from the State Government via Stuart Ayres, MP representing Penrith and Pru Carr MP representing Londonderry and a further grant from the Penrith City Council helped to complete the upgrade. Local businesses also made substantial contributions to improve the premises to what they are today.
On 4th March 2017, the Nepean Men’s Shed at 18 Simeon Road, Orchard Hills was officially opened by David Helmers, Executive Officer of the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA).
The Minutes of the Annual General meeting, 28 August 2017 stated:
September 2016: The Penrith City Council congratulated the Shed on legally acquiring it, meaning that the Nepean Men’s Shed own the property.
March 2017: Official opening of the building as Nepean Men’s Shed by David Helmers, AMSA CEO, with over 250 people attending including many representatives from the three levels of government.
April 2017: Visit from Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove (Sir Peter at the time was the Chief Patron of AMSA).
Currently our membership has increased to over 125 members. The shed opens three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) with approximately 50 members attending on any day of opening. The Member’s contribution in making products and also saleable items for our market days, their participation in sausage sizzle days at Bunnings and other ventures, plus the tremendous support we receive from local businesses, underpins the continuation of the Nepean Men’s Shed and ensures our members have a safe environment to work, complete with the best equipment.
Our Presidents
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Ron Langley
Lower Mountains 2011-12
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Mike Siegle
Lower Mountains 2012-16
Nepean Men’s Shed 2016-17
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Tony Hudson
Nepean Men’s Shed 2017-21, 2024-25
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Allan Reid
Nepean Men’s Shed 2021-23
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Ross Dundas
Nepean Men’s Shed 2023-24
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John Devoy
Nepean Men’s Shed 2025-26