David Berner profile – as told to Mario Pinti
I am a proud product of the west. My parents were original settlers in the Brooklyn area. I attended Brooklyn State School, which had the former migrant hostel behind it, and Altona North high school.
In the early days the local area was a wondrous environment for a young lad. Riding our bikes, playing footy and cricket and looking for lizards in the many paddocks filled our days.
For most of my early working life I was employed in the retail sector, learning how to get on with people. After further studies I went to work for Monsanto, generally in the commercial and logistics areas. My last real job, if you will, was the CEO of a fairly large transport, civil construction and mining business based in the Barossa Valley.
I did that for about six or seven years and then stopped. But I got bored, so I started a consultancy that involves training, heavy vehicle auditing and safety system development. My aim was to keep occupied, keep going. And that’s where the Men’s Shed started to fit in.
I joined Hobson’s Bay Men’s Shed about 13 or 14 years ago, primarily because we have a very good motoring group. I immediately found camaraderie and I found great advice. Then, gradually, as I started to back off on work, or thought I was backing off on work, I had more time to become involved. I first was on the motoring committee, then I moved into the committee of management, had a couple of terms as vice president, and now I’m President.
Dealing with people is the best part of the job and can also be the most challenging. Sometimes we can’t give all the members all that they want, so life’s a negotiation, and the Shed is a cross sample of general society. At the moment, we’re looking at some developmental plans for the building and grounds, which are very exciting and very challenging, too. We’re an evolving beast. Nothing happens by revolution, but we’re certainly on an evolutionary path. Currently, I’m talking to a chap who approached me about starting up a sketch group within the shed, and that’s wonderful. And the other thing is we also reciprocate to the community, such as doing the catering for council functions, and that really is just a wonderful experience.
I get so much joy every time I attend the Shed. Laughter is one thing that is absolutely guaranteed, and the feeling of good that we are allowing people who would normally sit at home watching Days of Our Lives, no disrespect to the producers of Days of Our Lives, of course, to get out and socialise. So, if anyone’s interested come down any Friday. I’m generally here (although some people may say other days are better!) have a sausage and have a look through. But don’t be shy. I started not knowing anyone and now I believe I’ve got 380–400 friends, and it makes a world of difference. It enhances life.
The HBMS offers a range of activities for men and women who have or are stepping away from the workforce. David Berner is its president.
