Dunedin RSA representatives present the Bill King Award to the South Dunedin Blokes’ Shed for its efforts in assembling the 4000 crosses now on display at Queens Gardens. Pictured are (back, from left) Blokes’ Shed members David Brooker, Graham Paterson, Gordon Bishop, (middle from left) John Hesketh, James Scott, (front from left) Dunedin RSA welfare officer Niall Shepherd, Bloke’s Shed member Paul Wilson, shed president Dave Ryder and Dunedin RSA president Lox Kellas. PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD
The sterling effort of South Dunedin Blokes' Shed members in assembling 4000 memorial crosses for Dunedin RSA has been recognised with an award.
This week, representatives of Dunedin RSA visited the shed, next to King's High School, to present the Bill King award for outstanding community support for the RSA.
Presented in memory of the late Bill King, of Wanaka, a staunch supporter of the RSA, nominations for the annual award are received from throughout Otago.
Dunedin RSA president Lox Kellas said the Bloke's Shed members had put in a lot of work to assemble and organise the 4000 crosses.
"It was a major project and is a pleasure to hand over this award for your efforts,'' Mr Kellas said.
The award also included $500 in petrol vouchers to help support the work of the Bloke's Shed.
Opened in 2009, the South Dunedin Blokes' Shed is a place for older men to meet and use their skills to tackle a broad range of small-scale projects.
Shed president Dave Ryder said the group worked with kindergartens, playcentres, and to support older people.
The South Dunedin Blokes' Shed has about 15 members, with 10 regularly attending sessions on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
