Advertisment

Community & Business

5 February, 2025

90-year-old heads kitchen reno

A $100,000 kitchen renovation has recently been completed at the Yungaburra Men’s Shed with the project headed up by 90-year-old original member and licensed builder, Kevin Mackenzie.

By KONNOR FURBER

Yungaburra Men’s Shed member, Kevin Mackenzie, was instrumental in renovating their kitchen.
Yungaburra Men’s Shed member, Kevin Mackenzie, was instrumental in renovating their kitchen.

The project was completed over three months of steady work and was unveiled at Mr Mackenzie’s 90th birthday recently, which was held at the club.

Mr Mackenzie was one of the first presidents of the club and assisted in “getting the show on the road” when it was established in 2021, alongside current president Jeff Hall.

Though he is officially retiring “soon”, he is still a licensed builder and the renovation was carried out with himself as the appointed project manager on a volunteer basis.

“I built my last house about two and a half years ago and since then I’ve just been doing voluntary work,” he said.

“My skills are still in demand, but at 90 I’ve got the excuse to say no,” he laughed.

In addition to renovating the kitchen, the club also built a small meeting room with the space they had left over.

“We are happy with progress as we have recently commissioned a new licensed kitchen, small meeting room and store,” he said.

“It’s taken us about three months from start to finish to get the kitchen done, and we cooked the first meal on it for my birthday. 

“This was all made possible by a grant of $100,000 from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and it will allow us to further help our community.”

Mr Mackenzie is a community driven man, which reflects through his past volunteering and local activities including more than 20 years in the Yungaburra bowls club, 10 years in Lions and the establishment of the Men’s Shed which has 46 current members.

“I wanted to help start the Men’s Shed because I felt a demand for something for older, mature men to do,” Mr Mackenzie said.

“Our favourite things to do are community projects, like doing work for the kindergarten or schools.”

He also noted that what has kept him going for so long is the importance of having something interesting to do every day.

“Having something to do in life is quite important, also feeling youthful and getting a good night’s sleep is very important too.

“I’ve had a really loving relationship with my wife and my kids and I value that very highly, it’s definitely something that keeps you working and keeps you going.

“We also have our diamond (60 year) anniversary coming up next year, which is something to look forward to,” he said.

The Yungaburra Men’s Shed members meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2pm-6pm and requires a membership fee of $35 per year.

The club boasts many facilities, including a workshop and a general room with a pool table and dartboard.

“Most of the guys who come are just happy to just sit around and have a yarn. It helps every man see the value in another,” Mr Mackenzie said.

Advertisment

Most Popular

1