The two men, both former students of the school and members of Dungog Menshed did just that – for a brief moment – as part of a Menshed project in conjunction with the school’s P and C.

P and C Vice-President Julie MacCormick said the horse paddock bounded by Chapman and Dowling Streets is well used by the school for lunchtime play, Friday sport, cross country and netball.

“This area of the school had very limited seating and increasing this  was raised as something important to the school to improve the area for sports, for outdoor learning and for children to congregate around during play time,” she said.

The P and C raised funds for the project and engaged the Dungog Menshed to design, manufacture and install the seats.

Ken Milburn led the project with the assistance of Albert Morley and  a “humble labour force” including John Martins, Ian Young  and John Pryde.

The Menshed members donated their labour and the steel posts for the job and were able to draw on further community support with Norco  supplying the concrete and John Styles from Burns Earthmoving digging the holes to spare the men manually digging in 40 plus degree weather.

They have installed six seats in time for the new school year with another four in production thanks to the donation of some timber.

John Martins said the Menshed is happy to help community groups with projects that could not otherwise have been done by local businesses and tradies. Another team is currently working on some projects at the Dungog Hospital.

Mrs MacCormick said the generosity of the Menshed  meant the P and C’s budget could deliver the seats for the school community.

The Menshed meet every  Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am until 1pm. With around 36 active members new men are always welcome to come along.

The Dungog Public School P and C welcomes any interested community member to its next meeting on Monday February 18 at 6pm in the school library.