Members and associates of the God’s Squad have been working from dawn to dusk to transform the old St Clement’s Church tennis clubhouse into Zac’s Place, a ‘drop in’ centre which is unashamedly Christian in ethos and committed to extending a hand to local people in need.

The God’s Squad Christian Motorcycle Club, which primarily exists to minister among the biker fraternity as a relevant and accepted expression of the Christian Church, has had a presence in the Yass Valley for about eight years.

President of the southern NSW chapter, Glenn Stewart, said the non-denominational group has identified a need in the local area but is willing to be flexible in the service it offers the community.

The doors of Zac’s Place will be open to everyone on Good Friday with coffee and a short Easter talk from 2pm to 5pm. From there on Bible study will be held of a Tuesday evening from 7.30pm and on Saturdays people will be able to call in and find friendship, solidarity and support.

Mr Stewart said he has been overwhelmed by the interest the community has so far shown in the initiative.

“A lot of people have been dropping in to have a chat, which is great,” he said.

“Steve [Blackman] from Ace Plasterers lobbed in one day and asked ‘do you need a hand?’.

“At the time we were struggling to put up the plaster so we jumped at the offer.

“The community has been so supportive. It’s been overwhelming, really.” To show the support is reciprocal, and as a nod to the rich heritage of the area, the God’s Squad has given the interior a few special local touches.

The impressive bar inside Zac’s Place has been crafted from a combination of wood including remnants of the old bell frame and original prayer kneel boards from the Anglican Church. A local farmer also donated some timber from his great grandfather’s stables, which date back to the 1900s.