MEN SEEK SHED Edition 41
April 15, 2021
NorthernRiversTimes
Advertising Ph: 1300 679 787
by Christine Tondorf
FOR almost a decade Lismore’s Men’s Shed has offered companionship, support, even a life purpose to some 50 men navigating retirement and unemployment, but two weeks ago the guys were forced to down tools and shut up shop. The men from Lismore’s men’s shed are shedless and heart broken. The men had been operating from a privately leased shed in Norco Lane after their shed at the Lismore Showgrounds became unavailable a year ago. Sadly, the tiny shed in the back lane was too small for their needs and a number of men had accidents requiring medical treatment. “We were operating from a toolbox, not a shed,” said Lismore Men’s Shed President, Don Abrihams. “And because of safety concerns we’ve had to stop and search for a more suitable premises. We just can’t put people’s lives at risk.” The men’s ages raise from 29 years up to 83 years and the group also has women members. “We give everyone an opportunity to do tasks, which makes them feel good about themselves, and two of us here are also qualified counsellors so we also give them support and counselling if needed,” Mr Abrihams said.
The Lismore’s Men’s Shed has 122 signed up members. Around 50 were attending regularly every Tuesday and Thursday and making a range of items useful to the community, including little wheel barrows for pre-schools, flatpacks for business and even garden bed boxes. “The closure two weeks ago has left a massive hole in people’s lives,” Mr Abrihams said. “We are very concerned about the mental
health of some of the older people. Many have suffered depression and many have been thrown out of work. “They feel useless but the shed gave them the feeling of being needed and wanted and they can get things done and feel a sense of accomplishment.” Deputy shed president Bob Greig, a former truck driver, sums up the importance of the men’s shed to him in four words, “It saved my life.” “I had an accident a
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few years ago and I was depressed. I could barely breathe, couldn’t move but someone suggested going to the shed and I went. The then president took me in … and he explained how it helps keep people alive. “Today I am the vice president and the shed maybe closed but I still come here every Tuesday and Thursday and sit at a table outside, even in the rain, in case one of the men needs to talk to someone.”
The men have identified a vacant shed owned by the state government and have approached the NSW government for permission to use it. Dwyane Russell who signs on new members for the shed said he still had men phoning him wanting to join. “It is just so sad to have to turn them away and tell them we aren’t operating,” he said. Government responds, see page 9 ☛
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