Community & Business
26 August, 2022
Shed on the Murray project gains pace
Pittsworth & District Men’s Shed members are building a raft to float 600 kilometres down the Murray River - never mind that the skipper can’t swim!
As a youngster growing up at Swan Hill in Victoria, Merv Hinneberg never learned to swim.
His mother had lost two sons and wouldn’t allow Merv to go in the water so he never got a chance to learn.
He did however sit on the banks of the mighty Murray fishing and on occasion would ponder where the river ended up and what it would be like to float down it one day.
Now, at age 76, exactly that adventure is about to happen.
The Pittsworth & District Men’s Shed president will be joined by two other members, Trevor Gull and Jason Driscoll, to float a raft down the Murray on a 600 kilometre journey to raise funds for the It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation.
They’ll be supported by a land crew including the It’s a Block Thing Roadshow.
Construction has begun on the raft - they’re building
it at the Men’s Shed within the Pittsworth Pioneer Village - and the main body will be constructed of composite fibre technology donated by the Wagner Group.
Merv says the plan is to have the raft completed by Christmas and it will be on display at the Pittsworth Show in March.
In the lead up to the August 2023 trip, and en route to Victoria, they’ll be taking the raft to various events and calling in to show other Men’s Sheds.
Collection tins have been distributed around local businesses and you can also contact Merv (0488 224 779) for bank transfer details for tax deductible donations to the fundraiser.
The It’s A Bloke Thing Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation spread awareness about prostate cancer which is curable in the early stages before symptoms appear.
The Foundations also support men and their families, while working towards finding a cure.
