Noor Petersen, a Forrest local The change has been remarkable. She and her husband Nasser had moved to the regional town, in part for a quieter lifestyle. Following Nasser’s death in 2023, Noor found solace and a sense of purpose at the Forrest Men’s Shed, where she has embraced a newfound passion for woodworking and community involvement.
Noor and Nasser, an Egyptian-born geoscientist now living in Forrest, relocated from the Middle East to Forrest. Nasser cautioned Noor about the difficulties she would face in their new home. He remarked, “You’ll be in redneck country … and you’ll be the only Muslims.” Despite these worries, Noor has created a home of acceptance within the shed.
After the death of her husband, Noor found herself gravitating towards the men’s shed to acquire practical skills. She approached the men with a clear request: “First of all, I asked the guys, ‘I need to know how to do the band saw, how to do the drop saw, how to do the table saw.’” Even though she had never picked up a hammer in her life, this program would become the start of her path towards becoming a successful woodworker.
Zoe Thomsen, vice president of the Forrest Men’s Shed, said the organization has always fostered inclusivity. She reflected on her own experience, stating, “I used to be a bloke when I started, so that all changed, and they were really good with it.” The men’s shed has historically had women in leadership roles, and it’s still expanding as a safe, creative space for everyone.
Allan, another member of the shed, commented on the community’s openness: “We seem to absorb everybody … we tend not to worry in Forrest.” His focus brings attention to the shed’s ongoing efforts to foster a welcoming environment for all.
Noor’s involvement has led her to redefine the space, which she now affectionately describes as “anyone’s shed.” Her trajectory from shy newcomer to engaged participant symbolizes the shed’s core purpose of creating community through art and deepening inclusivity.
In addition to hosting an array of interesting characters, Noor proves her local bona fides by showing us her pet chicken on a swing in her backyard. She dons a green tunic in public and a hijab in private. This act exemplifies her complex, layered identity and ingenuity to thrive in a new land.
