Whangārei Men's Shed celebrates its oldest members

A group of members from the Whangārei Men's Shed are proof that age is just a number.

The group of 18 men, who are all aged 80 or older, were celebrated in a morning tea at the former Whangārei train station on Monday.

The Men's Shed is restoring the station, and the gathering acknowledged the men's contribution to the Men's Shed and the restoration project.

Member Jack Freeman, who had organised the celebration, said the "majority of the men had been involved with the internal painting" of the station.

He made special mention of Jack Davidson and Bob Mosslen. Davidson is a cabinetmaker who had made all the benches, tables and furniture in the kitchen area.

"[Mosslen] has been heavily involved with the interior refurbishment."

Freeman said some of the men were getting frail or ill and could only do a couple of hours a day. He said Monday's celebration was a fantastic.

"They really appreciated the morning tea and the fact their effort had been recognised, even at their age."

Construction on the restoration of the train station has been under way for the past two years. The exterior is being returned to the original plans from 1925 while the inside is being moulded to suit the Men's Shed.

So far $1 million, predominantly in grants has been spent and around $50,000 is needed to finish the job. The shed is hoping to have the project completed later this year.