On Saturday, Denman Men’s Shed welcomed visitors to the official opening of their shed, and the Denman and District Heritage Village Shed.

Men’s Shed members from other towns, including Salamander Bay, Maitland, Aberdeen, Scone and Muswellbrook, also attended, along with Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen and Muswellbrook Shire mayor Martin Rush.

Denman Men’s Shed president Neville Bray said the shed was six years in the making.

“I can assure you it has been worth the wait,” he told those present.

Mr Bray said the local team had received a lot of help from many individuals, groups, and businesses.

During his speech, Mr Bray shared about what being a part of Denman Men’s Shed meant to him, and the way it had benefited other members.

Cr Rush officially opened the facility and congratulated all involved.

“The Denman shed provides an important space for men to gather, share stories, learn new skills and practice their trades in a range of activities that promote mateship,” he said.

“Muswellbrook Shire Council has been pleased to provide financial support in the form of land and of $55,000 in grants to the project.

“It is also a great pleasure to mark the occasion of the official opening of the Denman Heritage Village, which Council has been pleased to support.

“The lifelong work and passion of Jeff Wolfgang is at last – in part at least – here on display to be enjoyed and admired by the public.

“Jeff’s collection is legendary and it is only right and proper that after so many years of dedicated collecting and acquisition that he is able to share his passion for a sample of our local and national industrial and social heritage with people of all ages and for ever more.”

Mr Wolfgang donated items from his own collections which are now on display in the newly opened Denman and District Heritage Village Shed.

“We owe it to our future generations to preserve our heritage,” Mr Wolfgang said.