Salter Point resident Robert Uppill was awarded an OAM for his service to the Manning community, including Manning Men’s Shed.
Camera IconSalter Point resident Robert Uppill was awarded an OAM for his service to the Manning community, including Manning Men’s Shed. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis

Retired farmer still on his feet after Manning move

Nadia BudihardjoSouthern Gazette

A SALTER Point resident has left his footprints all around Manning through his involvement with the Senior Citizens’ Centre.

Retired farmer Robert Uppill thought he would have a relaxing retirement when he moved from his family farm in Tammin in 2000 and certainly did not expect with his wife Lyn to become so involved with the Manning community.

“You see a need and you just hop in and help,” he said.

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Mr Uppill was a volunteer bus driver, a board member and vice-president at the Manning Senior Citizens Centre.

“The secretary of the Manning Senior Citizens Centre saw a show on television about Men’s Shed,” he said.

“We visited a few men’s sheds and did some research; eventually we recommended that we try to build one outside here.

“It was teamwork all the way through and now we’ve got this magnificent building.”

The Manning Men’s Shed opened in 2015, with Mr Uppill the foundation chairman.

“Because it’s been running so successfully, so a couple of years ago I retired as chairman to let somebody else in,” he said.

“After another year of it running well, I withdrew from the committee so I’m a plain old member now.”

Mr Uppill was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Manning in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“It’s all been teamwork and it started off with my wife and two daughters; we’re part of a team,” he said.

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