“Return the timber and stumps; drop them in the vicinity of the old railway building. If the stuff is returned, no questions will be asked,” they said.

Arthur Larcombe and his small band of volunteers have been cleaning up the area in preparation for the official nod to go ahead with the Holbrook Men’s Shed.

The plan is for Holbrook Lions to sub-lease the old railway storage shed and surrounding land from Greater Hume Shire Council following permission from the Australian Rail Track Authority (ARTC).

While waiting for the green light, the men have faced problems of deteriorating roof cover and people coming onto the site and helping themselves to parts of the building.

Stolen from inside the locked shed in October was a range of sawn timber and stumps that had been donated by local businesses and individuals.

Unknown people had penetrated the building by going through the floor area which is built-up on stumps.

“The new stumps were to be used for restumping the building,” Mr Larcombe said.

Previously, old red gum slabs making up the platform of the old railway building were sawn off and stolen.

Stealing from the Men’s Shed is a pretty low act. “It’s disappointing,” Mr Larcombe said.

The volunteers are hoping to get on with the job of establishing the men’s shed.

Greater Hume Shire Council Acting General Manager David Smith said progress has been made with the ARTC with the view of allowing Council sublet part of the railway precinct to a non profit organisation.

Council is waiting to receive lease documentation from the ARTC.

“Hopefully this won’t take too long, and then Council will have its legal people prepare a sub lease within the next month,” Mr Smith said.