SINGLETON turned on perfect winter weather for the official opening of its Men’s Shed with former resident Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove returning for the special occasion.
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Sir Peter accompanied by Lady Cosgrove were very happy to be back in town – a place very close to their hearts, thanks to the Governor-General having been stationed at the Singleton Infantry Base during his time in the Australian Defence Force.
He and wife, Lynne, were posted twice to Singleton, the second time when he was appointed Commanding Officer at the School of Infantry in 1988.
Two years later the strong bond he developed between the military base and the people of Singleton was rewarded with the prestigious Freedom of the Shire Medal.
The Governor-General is the national patron of the Men’s Shed movement and he described the facility in Singleton as being “a palace”, something he would know about since his vice regal appointment.
A large crowd gathered at the shed for the opening with president Alf Braye saying the first thoughts about establishing a Men’s Shed were raised by Jack Francis in 2010.
“What followed from that initial idea involved a great deal of planning and work but today we have something everyone involved with the project can be very proud of,” he said.
The Governor-General said in his address that a Men’s Shed was a place where men could be themselves.
“It is a place of respite, place to drop into and where no one judges you and that is important because many men internalise their problems,” he said.
He congratulated the Singleton Men’s Shed on providing such a place in their community, adding the shed will help build an already strong and caring community.
In opening his speech, Sir Peter spoke about the 50th anniversary next year of the Singleton Rugby Club.
He suggested the organisers hold the big party on July 14 and invoke part of the French national anthem to describe his loss of blood on that field.
In another anecdote, he said when he was out and about at his official home in Sydney Admiralty House that fronts the harbour passers-by in small boats often shout out advice.
“The advice is always for the Prime Minister Tony Abbott so I have to shout back he lives round the corner,” he joked.
“I think we need to erect a sign on the lawn telling the boaties where he lives.”