The Shed is an Australian icon. It’s a place to make memories, to share experiences and skills, and to talk.
Many people downsize their living arrangements as they age. The loss of a garden shed or workshop, may impact men more than women as this can be ‘their personal space’.
Enter the Australian Men's Shed Association, where men of all ages come together and use a fantastic variety of tools, pursue their interests and hobbies, spend time with other blokes with similar interests, learn new skills, (there is always someone willing to help!) or keep existing skills honed and productive.
Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, feeling productive and valuable to your community, connecting to friends and maintaining an active body and an active mind. Becoming a member of a Men’s Shed can give a man that safe and busy or relaxing environment along with an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship. Importantly, there is no pressure. Men can come and have a yarn, play some cards, eightball or darts or just have a cuppa if that is all they're looking for. Some come for a meal and a chat.
Activities may include:
- Members’ personal projects
- Learn some new skills (e.g. welding, cooking, wood turning)
- Repair old items (e.g. a canoe or table)
- Make furniture (e.g. bookshelves)
- Design and make projects for community needs (e.g. sets for local drama company, games for nursing homes)
- Cook and/or eat healthy meals
- Carving and lathe work
- Play some eightball, bocce, jigsaws, cards or darts
- Other activities to suit individual needs and interests (e.g. cooking for singles, lead lighting, pyrography)
The Victor Harbor Men's Shed has fully equipped workshops where men of different skill levels can spend time, swap yarns and experiences, work together and become involved in a variety of activities.
Men’s Shed members maintain the workshops with equipment regularly updated.
The Victor Harbor Men’s Shed has more than 100 members - regular workouts for tools and machines are assured, along with the need for regular maintenance. This is supported by fundraising such as sausage sizzles, selling donated goods and handmade items, along with government grants. Office for Ageing Well through Grants for Seniors 2021-2022, contributed through the provision of cordless electric tools.
The Victor Harbor Men’s Shed is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm with members coming and going as it suits them. It is a community shed that welcomes people from all backgrounds and can be found on Martha Close in Victor Harbor. More information is available via the Facebook page, by emailing victorharbormensshed@gmail.com or by phoning: 0411 027 903.
If you don’t live in the Victor Harbor area, don’t worry. There are over 1,200 Sheds throughout Australia, so it’s likely you’ll have a local!