Being part of the Warragul Woodworkers Club has opened up a new world for Sam Morison.
And it given him a hugely extended "family", the 85 members regarding him as an adopted grandson.
Sam moved from Warragul to Ballarat about four years ago, but returns regularly to accompany one of his actual grandfathers David Morison to the 'Woodies" where he has become a valued part of the team.
Being recently made an official social member of the group and given a badge with his name on it was a huge thrill for 25-year-old Sam who has autism.
According to David, it has given Sam a sense of belonging and something he finds much more interesting and enjoyable than the programs provided through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
With a love for wood, Sam has made gifts for family members as well as sets of coloured wooden drink coasters that he sanded and polished with Danish oil, all of which sold quickly at the group's "pop up Christmas shop" at Yarragon recently.
His other key involvement with Woodies is cleaning up after other members have finished their work for the day, a task David said Sam really enjoys and does very well.
David said the chats, banter and encouragement from his extended family of "grandparents" had been a blessing for Sam and overcome much of his shyness among other people.