THE importance of Men’s Sheds to the wellbeing of men’s mental health in the area is being lauded this week with Men’s Shed Week celebrations being held between September 4 – 10.

From what began as a humble idea in regional Australia, Men’s Sheds are dedicated, welcoming shared places where people (typically older men) can come together – regardless of their background or ability, to chat, share ideas and combine their skills and get creative, mostly with wood.

There are now more than 1200 Men’s Sheds around Australia, 2500 operating in 12 countries around the world and more than 50,000 Australians directly benefiting from the grassroots movement.

Including in Hamilton, the local area has multiple Men’s Sheds operating in the surrounding regional towns; Coleraine, Macarthur, Cavendish, Penshurst, Port Fairy and Mortlake.

“Men’s Sheds are an Australian invention that is now an international phenomenon – enhancing, even saving – the lives of many men, and building better communities,” Australian Men’s Shed Association chairman, Paul Sladdin said.

Men’s Sheds are made up of all volunteers, and shedders dedicate much of their free time to worthwhile community endeavours.

It has been said that many men live fuller, healthier and happier lives through their involvement with their shed – but it doesn’t stop there.

Through local partnerships and community collaborations, Men’s Sheds create stronger local communities.

Hamilton Men’s Shed

An example of a collaborative project is the consignment of over 200 wooden fence stiles commissioned by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), to be made for walking tracks in the region.

Hamilton Men’s Shed president, Ian McLean, said he met up with representatives from Heywood, Portland and Macarthur Men’s Shed to coordinate a combined effort to build the stiles that DELWP commissioned and agree on a price between the four sheds.

“It’s pretty exciting,” he said.

“We haven’t got all the details yet, but we are told it’s for a walk that’s being developed along some water ways.

“They (DELWP) are supplying the material – they got a grant for it, and we had to work out a price to put it together.”

The Hamilton Men’s Shed has been running for about 14 years now with a membership of about 20 men.

“We were one of the first ones in this area to get up and running,” Mr McLean said.

“We mostly do orders.

“We don’t make up stuff to sell – we basically just have work come in, and as soon as it does, it goes out again.

“We get a variety of different jobs we are asked to do (that) people bring in repair jobs for.”

Mr McLean agreed that Men’s Sheds provide local men the opportunity to build friendships, and develop a sense of purpose where they can feel they belong and make a valued contribution.

“You notice quite a difference in the blokes that come along,” he said.

“We’ve got about 20 members and about 12 that are regular.

“They enjoy coming out – through Covid they were really missing having somewhere to come.”

Penshurst Men’s Shed

The Penshurst Men’s Shed is particularly warm and cosy where members don’t necessarily have to stick to woodwork.

There’s a miniature train set, a dart board, and a kitchenette with a central fireplace keeping the ‘social’ room warm. 

It leads to the large work area out the back that houses the work benches and machinery.

Penshurst Men’s Shed committee of management member, Tom Cooke, said that the Penshurst Men’s Shed presently has nine members in an old, repurposed shed. 

 “The building used to be the Apex Club,” Mr Cooke said.

“We closed down over Covid but we reformed in March and reopened as a subcommittee of the Penshurst Progress Association.

“I’ve been making a few potholders and things, but we are still making benches for the shed.

“We have one female member because she does the bookwork.

“We have a few projects on the go – we’ve got a chest of drawers made from old wooden pallets.

“I’d never done any woodwork before except for making a new kitchen in our home.”

Fellow member, David Goulter, said they would like to see a few more members.

“There is a lot of single blokes here,” he said.

“They don’t have to commit to anything – just come in for a coffee and have a chat – they’re more than welcome.”

Cavendish Men’s Shed

In the heart of red gum country, the Cavendish Men’s Shed members enjoy a modern, purpose-built workspace with a kitchen adorned with a generous sized red gum dining table for the members to sit around for lunch.

Cavendish’s president and life member, Graeme Haeusler, was thrilled to present the numerous projects the members had been working on.

“Lately we’ve been making mailboxes,” he said.

“This day and age, people need bigger mailboxes for their online purchases – we’ve got quite an order of those to do.

“We’ve got a number of things on the go, there’s always something happening.

“We’ve just made a box to put a car fridge in sort of thing to go on the patio and be locked up.

“We like taking orders.”

The Cavendish Men’s Shed first met together temporarily in the old garage in town in 2016, and has now grown to an association of 18 members.

Secretary, Alan Cordy, said that Graeme Haeusler was the first Life Member of a Men’s Shed in Australia.

There is a crafted wooden duck hanging on the kitchen door called “The Duck of the Pond” to symbolise the one female associate member of the Cavendish Men’s Shed.

“That’s the assistant/secretary – she’s allowed in because she knows how to work a computer – (Alan’s wife, Ren Cordy),” Mr Cordy said.

The Cavendish Men’s Shed has a vast array of products, many made from red gum, including dining tables, coat racks with old railway pins, coffee tables and kitchen stands for hot pots, as well as numerous items, with everything made from recycled timer.

Cavendish Men’s Shed members meet once a week on Tuesdays.

“Gary and I are here most other days though – it keeps us off the streets,” Mr Haeusler said.

“We make stuff, and we don’t know if they’re going to sell or not so it’s good to make something somebody orders.”

Member, Gary Kennedy said “we do repairs as well”.

Mr Haeusler also said that red gum fence posts were terrific to work with and there was always plenty lying around.

“Stuff comes in each day – it just gets left at the door – we don’t know where it comes from – we recycle what we can,” he said.

“Not everything is made from timber – Roy (Wood) makes items out of old bits of metal, including old horse shoes.

“Of course, new members are always welcome.”

More information on the local Men’s Shed can be found at mensshed.org