GAWLER welcomed South Australian Governor Hieu Van Le and his wife Lan Le last week, with the pair visiting a number of places around the town.

His Excellency was greeted by Gawler Mayor Karen Redman and CEO Henry Inat on Wednesday morning, before a morning tea with elected members.

The party then visited a number of sites around the town, including ongoing projects such as the Gawler Aquatic Centre upgrade and the soon to be-completed Gawler East Link Road, before a stop at a local hotel for lunch.

The party then visited the Willo’s Men’s Shed in Little Paxton Street in recognition of the Australian Men’s Shed Week.

Accompanied by Willo’s chairman, Dave Clarke, the party was shown around the premises to view the woodwork shop, the new metalwork shop, the computer section where members learn computing, and the music group also meets in the same area.

The Governor chatted with the members as he walked around. They were also shown the meeting room/kitchen and the lounge area where pool and darts are played and television can be watched, and where members can also enjoy a chat over a cuppa.

Items produced at the shed were inspected which included personal projects and those made to order for the community. The latter include planter boxes, wooden wigwams for playgrounds and kindys, they also looked at a Wagon Wheel Bench.

On completion of the tour, the Governor and his wife were presented with an acrylic pen each, made by members of the shed, and in reply he spoke of the valuable role played by Men’s Sheds towards the health and well-being of retired men and how they benefit from socialising with like-minded people.