In early September thieves broke into the Bridge Street property, stealing around $1500 worth of electrical tools which had been purchased over the shed’s 20 years of operation. 

Two welders worth over $1000 were among the most important of the tools stolen, as well as a drop saw and a number of drills.

The shed, which is the oldest operating Men’s Shed in the state, regularly sees 20 men attend Tuesday workshops to both build and socialise. 

Volunteer Charlie Schembri said the theft had left the 20 regulars at the shed shaken, and had forced them to postpone a number of projects. 

“They kicked in the roller doors and stole all of our power tools, and it means the projects that we had been working on have had to stand still because we haven't been able to finish them,” Mr Schembri said. 

“A lot of people think our shed is somewhere where people come and make stuff, but we have a few guys who are severely disabled so they come and drink coffee, and some who come from the nursing home to get out and about, so it gets rid of that social isolation.” 

Since hearing of the break-in three weeks ago, members of the Creswick North Car Club felt compelled to assist their fellow locals.  The club has since given the Men’s Shed a $1000 donation to help it get back on its feet. 

Creswick North Car Club president Peter Neil said the group was focused on helping other local organisations who were doing it tough. 

“It’s gets a lot of the blokes out and doing something, and getting burgled and having their tools pinched makes it pretty hard for them to do anything.”

The shed has also received assistance from a fellow Men’s Shed in Sebastopol, who have lent the Creswick group a box of hand tools so the men can continue with their work. 

“Our goal is now to get more power tools, and we're going to have to make a steel cage to lock everything up,” Mr Schembri said.