The community men’s shed phenomenon in Australia is only beginning to be understood as is it’s potential
to improve the health of men. Community men’s sheds are a grassroots movement that appears unique to Australia
The men's shed movement is gathering momentum as communities across Australia come to realise what a difference communal space specifically for men can make. The modern version of the mens shed, particularly those shed organisations whose aims included the enhancement of men’s health and wellbeing, appear to have developed and proliferated first in South Australia during the mid-1990s (Mens Shed In Australia, NCVER, 2007, p14).
There are now more than 700 men's sheds successfully operating throughout urban and rural Australia with a combined membership of some 50,000 and growing at around 4 Sheds per week. What occurs in the communal space can differ greatly from shed to shed, and from time to time, depending on what the members have to offer and on what the men feel like doing. The idea behind men's sheds is that they offer a space in which men of any age or circumstance feel a welcome part of a community. Skills can be shared, problems discussed, information about health and wellbeing matters exchanged. All men of all ages, backgrounds and states of health are welcomed by the sheds.
AMSA recently (2012) welcomed it's 700th Men's Shed. This incredible movement continues to gain momentum and we are all amazed that we have reached this milestone in such a quick time. The 700 sheds represents approximately 90,000 plus men so we look optimistically to a future with endless possibilites.
The 700th shed opened at Bonnell's Bay on February 21st, 2012 and is to be named the "Bonnells Bay Salvation Army Men's Shed". It is a little bit different to a lot of other Men's Sheds in that it was originally opened to attract men between the ages of 20 and 40 years of age with a view to mentoring opportunities. The shed is located in a gymnasium and for 2 days a week, it operates as a gym with punching bags, treadmills and weights replacing the usual lathes and sawdust that is usually found in a Men's Shed. There is, however, a workshop room at the facility and according to Bonnell's Bay Salvation Army Minister, Laura Gittins, the workshop has become increasingly popular with the men at the shed, "We have noticed more men becoming involved in that activity and we also have an artisitic section where the men can display their artisitic skills. One day into the future, we will develop a community garden that continues to assist members of our community to connect with one another." Download a copy of the AMSA March 2012 Newsletter
Men’s Sheds often start under the auspices of a variety of organisations yet each Shed tends to develop its own individuality. Melba Shed has followed this path and developed its unique but successful style being a mixture of informative presentations, simple BBQ social occasions, helping some community groups, trips to places like the War Memorial through to long full day adventures to locations like Namadgi National Park. It also has special interest groups undertaking cycling, walks and even lawn bowls.
A page from the Ballarat East Community Men's Shed (BECS) give an interesting view
Member for Canberra Ms Gai Brodtmann in Hansard of 17th August 2011
(13:53): Today I would like to draw attention to the valuable contribution made by men's sheds in the Canberra community. Over the past decade men's sheds have increased dramatically across the country to promote men's issues. Men's sheds focus on helping men around Australia with any problem they might be facing. It could be a health problem, isolation, loneliness or depression. The shed connects men with their community and establishes a feeling of mateship.
In Canberra there are two men's sheds and another one is currently being proposed. Men in the community such as Robyn Matthews in Greenway and Kevin Bawden in Richardson work overtime to run the men's shed. I would personally like to thank them for their time and commitment to improving men's health and wellbeing.
A men's shed provides a space for mateship and a feeling of belonging. It meets the needs of members and their families. It has a developed program designed to advance men's health and wellbeing. It is inclusive to men of all ages and has a strong community engagement. I would like to acknowledge men's sheds throughout Australia and all those individuals who operate the sheds for their commitment to their community and to the health and wellbeing of their members and for their commitment to promoting and assisting men with their range of issues. (Editor's Note: Gai was talking about the electorate of Canberra when discussing the numbers of sheds)
Podcast of BBC World Service documentary on Mens Shed of 26th March. Click on the first highlighted link to access the BBC podcasts before download as an mp3 file. Its 11 MBytes and 23 mins 27 secs long. View Podcasts before downloading Click on the following link to play on line play Podcast on line. The podcast is audio only.
Newspaper Articles on Men's Sheds In General
Secret Men's Business An interesting article by Kate Legge from the Weekend Australian Magazine of 25th June 2011
The Australian 24 June 2011 Gallery of 16 pictures of Men's sheds sprouting across the nation