Longtime member of Wagga Men’s Shed Noel Wiencke said he was over the moon to see his grandson claim a gold medal in the T42 100m sprint at the Paralympics in Rio.  

26-year-old Mr Reardon won the event in the record time of 12.26.

The celebration was shared by Mr Wiencke’s mates at Wagga Men’s Shed, who also cheered him along to victory last week. 

But the win was made all the more sweeter when Mr Wiencke was presented with a one-of-a-kind medal from the Men’s Shed on Friday.

The member of eight years was having morning tea when he was presented with a medal fashioned from the top valve of a fire extinguisher spray painted gold.

“It was very humbling,” Mr Wiencke said.

“It was an absolute surprise when they got up and put that around my neck.” 

Mr Wiencke said he and the rest of Mr Reardon’s family were still ecstatic about his win. 

“It was an exciting time when he won silver in London,” he said. “We were all hoping he would win gold.” 

A mayoral reception will be held for Mr Reardon in Temora when he returns from Rio.