Sheds WA | 2024

Celebrating Sheds

Take a look at some of the achievements from Sheds all across Western Australia in this special edition.

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Cover: Kevin Bird,

by Rhiannon Arnold

6-7: Wanneroo Community Men’s Shed by Rhiannon Arnold

9: Chapman Valley Men’s Shed

10-11: Donnybrook Men’s Shed

12-13: by Rhiannon Arnold

14: © Peakstock, Shutterstock

16-21: Callum Smith Photography

22: Como Rotary Club

24: Stock image

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SHEDS WA

Welcome to the third edition of Sheds WA!

As we embark on another exciting journey through the world of men’s sheds, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our advertisers and supporters whose unwavering dedication has made this magazine possible. Your contributions help us continue to celebrate the spirit of community and craftsmanship that defines the men’s sheds movement.

In this edition, you’ll find a treasure trove of stories showcasing the incredible work being done in sheds across Western Australia. From heartwarming tales of camaraderie to inspiring projects that showcase the talents of our members, there’s something here for everyone who shares our passion for the shed life.

We’re also thrilled to feature articles from supporters of the men’s sheds movement, offering insights and advice on everything from woodworking tips to mental health support. It’s a testament to the broad appeal and importance of the work we do. As we look ahead to future editions, we invite our readers to share their own stories and experiences. Whether it’s a project you’re particularly proud of or a funny anecdote from your time in the shed, we want to hear from you. Together, we’ll continue to build a community that’s as strong as the sheds we call home.

James Wild CEO, Men’s Sheds of WA

Save the computer

Wanneroo Community Men’s Shed

By Rhiannon Arnold

The Wanneroo Community Men’s Shed saved more than12,500 computers from landfill since they began operating in 2009. The mantra Refurbish, Reuse, Recycle directed the goals of this special Men’s Shed, and they even took it one step further, using the profits from their efforts to support communities around the world.

Former chairman Gavin McIntyre was there when it all began.

“It was actually an idea from the City of Wanneroo. They wanted to create a Men’s Shed to do computer refurbs,” Gavin said.

The shed was established with little more than a few computers from the City, and an agreement with Microsoft, who provided them with discounted software for the computers to be sold to disadvantaged people in the local community.

Today the shed operates out of their freehold factory in Wangara and even own a light truck, which they use to collect old computers.

“I’ve been in the computer industry for longer than I care to admit. But a lot of people come without any [computer knowledge] and just learn by sitting alongside somebody.”

Shed members worked together to refurbish donated computers, install current Microsoft software and sell to local community members, and community groups.

“In fact we have provided a lot of other Men’s Sheds computers at a discount rate for their own admin,” said Gavin.

While supporting their local community had been a major focus for the Shed, they also provided over 4,500 computers to Nigerian schools and more than 1,700 to communities across Afghanistan and Indonesia.

Nothing is left to waste. Computers beyond repair were dismantled and recycled. Some of the shed members have formed a dedicated disassembly team where they separated the computer parts into pellet size containers of brass, aluminium, copper, steel, circuit boards, power supplies and plastic, before being sent to recycling facilities.

Shed Chairman Des Abott said some of the men preferred the dismantling work.

“They’re happy doing that. It takes up their day, having things to pull apart without having to put it back together.”

And it gave the members the opportunity to chat and connect too Gavin said.

The tech focus might seem intimidating to those who haven’t worked with computers before, but Des said none of the members need any experience.

“Most of the guys are from all walks of life and there’s only been around10 who have had anything to do with the workings of a computer and understanding software,” Des said.

“When I came, I just had a cheat sheet, and I just followed the cheat sheet to do the work.”

The shed became so successful in their work they were even been able to donate money to local charity organisations.

“We tend to pick smaller community groups that aren’t getting [funding] from elsewhere and give $1,000 each,” Gavin said.

The income to support local charities did not come solely from computers, however. The shed still had an active woodworking and metalworking workshop.

“The woodworking, these days, they’re making reasonable money. It took a long time to get there. We’ve been here [in this shed for] five years, and it probably took us a couple of years to get going. And then these picnic tables just took off,” Des said. “We’ve had orders coming from Gingin, one guy bought a bunch of them from us, brought a huge trailer with him to load them all up. He’s got a bird sanctuary and he’s setting up a picnic area for people to pay an entry fee to come and look at all the birds.”

There were 86 members of the Wanneroo Community Men’s Shed and whether members joined for woodworking, computer refurbishment or the chance to meet new people, they all enjoyed a sense of camaraderie. Gavin believed this came down to having a purpose in the shed.

“We’ve never truly focused on the mental health as being the reason to come here. When you’re here for a reasonable purpose, that has a flow on effect,” Gavin said.

Small Grants

Strengthening Community Ties

By Rhiannon Arnold

Strengthening Community Ties: The Success of Men’s Sheds of WA Small Grant Round 7

Men’s Sheds of WA has once again run a grant round, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing the participation and volunteering efforts of men in WA. With the successful allocation of Round 7 of the Small Grant Program, a total of $65,000 has been distributed among 18 deserving sheds, with each grant amounting to under $5,000. This funding initiative displays the organisation’s dedication to the betterment of men’s health and wellbeing through practical support that touches various aspects of shed life.

Empowering Sheds with Essential Equipment

At the heart of this grant round is the enhancement of shed functionality. Gidgegannup Men’s Shed Inc. has been able to procure a 1000kg Vertical Manual Hand Walkie Stacker, a critical piece of equipment that will ease the maneuvering of heavy items, increasing safety and efficiency. This not only enhances the operational capacity of the shed, which is required to fully vacate twice a year, but also ensures that members engage in activities without the risk of injury.

Facilitating Gatherings and Comfort

Community gatherings are the lifeblood of Men’s Sheds, providing a platform for social interaction and shared experiences. Recognizing this, Brunswick Junction Men’s Shed Inc has used the grant to organize a Shedders Gathering, fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness. Meanwhile, the Collie Mens Shed and Northam Community Men’s Shed have invested in air conditioning systems, ensuring comfort during the scorching WA

summers, and making their spaces more welcoming.

Promoting Self-Sufficiency and Skill Development

Maintenance and self-sufficiency are key themes that have been addressed by the grants. Pinjarra Community Men’s Shed has allocated funds for the repair of their barbecue and dishwasher, crucial amenities for their communal gatherings. Joondalup Mens Shed Inc has taken a leap into the digital age with new computers for training courses, emphasizing the importance of skill development and lifelong learning within the shed community.

Beautifying and Equipping Spaces

Aesthetics and functionality go hand in hand to create an inviting shed environment. Yanchep Community Men’s Shed Inc. and Vincent Men’s Shed have focused on signage and branding, allowing them to establish a more professional presence in the community and to welcome new members with clear identification. Bayswater Community Men’s Shed Inc. has furnished their new activity room, creating a multi-purpose space that can host a myriad of activities, from craftwork to meetings.

Supporting Nautical Traditions and Horticultural Pursuits

In coastal communities, the sea is a way of life, and Shark Bay Community Men’s Shed Inc. has acknowledged this by securing dinghy repair equipment. This not only preserves local maritime heritage but also provides therapeutic hands-on activities for members. The Denmark Mens Shed Inc., nestled in a region renowned for its natural beauty, has acquired new gardening group supplies, enabling

members to continue their horticultural pursuits, which are both mentally and physically beneficial.

Innovating for Remote Engagement

The Chapman Valley Menshed has introduced an innovative solution to bring entertainment to regional and remote areas with the establishment of ‘Shinema’. This project involves kitting out a van with projector and screens to put on movie nights. Using technology to bridge distances and provide leisure activities to those who might otherwise be isolated.

Cementing the Foundation for Social Interaction

Lastly, the Dunsborough Community Mens Shed has laid down literal foundations with the paving of their social area. This

investment will undoubtedly lead to many more years of barbecues, laughter, and shared stories, reinforcing the physical space where the camaraderie of the shed can flourish.

Men’s Sheds of WA Small Grant Round 7 has illustrated the diverse ways in which a little funding can go a long way in supporting the multifaceted needs of Men’s Sheds. From enhancing safety and comfort to promoting education and social interaction, these grants have been a boon to the communities they serve. As we look to the future, we celebrate the success of these initiatives and the continued growth they promise for the Men’s Sheds movement across Western Australia. Finally we must thank Lotterywest for making all of this possible with their funding of Men’s Sheds of WA.

Donnybrook Cherries

Donnybrook Men’s Shed

By Pamela Stacey Harrison

A bidder has paid $75,000 for a box of cherries from Donnybrook at the annual Market City auction to raise money to support the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The 5kg of cherries from the Sweet Cherry Valley orchard were auctioned in a box specially made by the Donnybrook Men’s Shed. And for the first time in the event’s history a Cherry Queen was crowned, with Linh Truong of All States Farms making the winning $75,000 bid.

Sweet Cherry Vallery has been donating cherries for the annual auction since 2005 with the owners askinf the Men’s Shed to made the commemorative boxes from 2010.

In the 18 years Donnybrook’s Cusato family have been donating cherries from their orchard, $906,900 has been raised for charity with the highest amount of $110,000 paid in 2019.

The $75,000 paid at the auction this year, along with $46,000 raised for other boxes from across the South West, will go to the Perth Children’s Hospital Rare Care Centre

which coordinates research and diagnostics to help 63,000 WA children.

The annual Cherry Auction is run by Market West and Perth Markets Group Ltd. and supported by the Cherry Growers Association. Each year there’s a bidding war among WA’s fruit and vegetable growers with the winner crowned cherry king or queen for the season.

Sweet Cherry Valley orchard representative Rosetta Cusato thanks Linh Truong and All State Farms for their generous bid and the Donnybrook Men’s Shed for the boxes they have made over the years.

Phil Staniford, who made the 2023 marri box, and members of the Donnybrook Men’s Shed attended the auction at Market City [in December].

“It was fantastic to be part of it and to see the box in the setting which it was meant to be, was terrific,” Mr Staniford said.

First published by South Western Times on Thursday, 28 December 2023.

Nannup’s secret tourist attraction

Nannup Men’s Shed

By Rhiannon Arnold

Rhiannon Arnold

A private shed in the hills of Nannup seems an unlikely place for the World’s Largest Wooden Pendulum Clock to be on display, but that is exactly where Kevin Bird keeps his masterpiece.

Nannup Men’s Shed member and master clock maker, Kevin spent 12 years creating the 5.8 metre tall jarrah and sheoak clock.

Amazingly, Kevin didn’t start building clock’s until after he retired. His engineering knowledge, gained from his training as an aircraft engineer, servicing chronometers, his construction experience and his love of timber were the perfect combination of skills to become a great clockmaker.

The giant clock was initially designed to provide a tourist attraction to the timber town of Nannup in WA’s south-west region, but the building proposed to house the clock never came to be.

Instead, Kevin had it on display in a privately owned building in the town, but when a lease dispute occurred, he had to relocate the giant mechanism to his own property.

“I was already a member of the Men’s Shed, but I very rarely went because I’ve got more [tools and equipment] here than they have,” Kevin said.

“I had a week [to move the clock], and it all had to come down a set of stairs.”

The clock face alone weighed 300kg and was constructed from leaded glass and steel and the entire mechanism is powered by a 130kg falling weight that is automatically reset with a custom-built re-wind system every 12 hours. With such heavy and large parts to the clock, the move proved to be a difficult job for Kevin alone.

“It got to the second last day and I didn’t know what I was going to do, and then I heard all these boots coming up the staircase,” Kevin said.

“The Men’s Shed had turned up. In that afternoon the whole clock was on the back of their trucks and utes and the brought it back [to my house].

“I don’t know who passed the word around that I was in trouble, but they found out and they turned up to help.

“From that day on, every Wednesday morning I go to the Men’s Shed because I realised just how valuable it was.”

Kevin had to build a new shed on his property tall enough to house the clock and provide a space to display it to interested members of the public.

“It took me another seven or eight months before we could get the clock back together.”

As impressive as the currently clock is, Kevin said it is still not finished. In the future he plans to add some automatons to the base of the clock, to add a more decorative and entertaining element.

“We all have clocks on our phones now. It’s more convenient, but the romance is gone.”

And while Kevin’s clockmaking business keeps him busy he still offers his woodworking expertise to the men’s shed, helping them to construct a St Ayles skiff, with the intention to use it to establish a rowing association in the area.

Kevin said constructing the skiff helped bring the shed together during the isolating covid pandemic.

“We have about 35 members. It’s more of a social thing here.

“It’s good because everyone is sort of in tune that we’ve got to look out for [some of the members].”

Kevin is now encouraging other Men’s Sheds to get together and build a boat to explore the fun challenges of skiff-building and rowing with their members.

Hearing Health

Bloom™ hearing

Taking care of your health is important, and that includes looking after your hearing. At bloom™ hearing specialists, we believe in the journey to better hearing. We understand that starting this journey can be both exciting and a bit intimidating, and we are here to walk that path with you, supporting you every step of the way.

Did you know men are nearly three times more likely to develop hearing loss than women? While both genders can experience noise-induced hearing loss, men are more at risk because they often work in louder environments. It’s Important that men don’t ignore the signs of hearing loss, as early intervention is essential for better outcomes.

Men’s Sheds across Australia have been changing lives by encouraging men to address their health and well-being concerns. We are thrilled to support Hearing Awareness Week, and we would like to support Men’s Sheds by offering Free hearing health advice and checks at sheds or combined community events.

In support of Hearing Awareness Week, our focus is on educating people about

how protecting their hearing contributes to their overall quality of life.

Did you also know that hearing loss is linked to dementia? Research suggests that even mild hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia, and severe hearing loss may make the risk five times higher. There are several theories behind this link, including the fact that the brain can shrink without complete sound signals and that the effort to understand conversations can be mentally taxing. The good news is, hearing loss can be treated.

With multiple bloom™ hearing clinics in WA and more than 260 clinics across Australia and New Zealand, we take pride in our nationwide network of clinics. We offer various hearing health services, including assessments, device fittings, and repairs.

At bloom™ hearing, we are passionate about caring for your hearing. Taking care of your hearing is a vital way to maintain your health and well-being as you age. If you’d like to discuss an event, invite us to talk to your Shed members, or have any enquiries, please contact Angie Li at ang.li@bloomhearing.com.au or call her on 0439 084 305

This article was sponsored by Bloom Hearing

Findings from Thriving Shed Project:

How Can Shed Life Protect Shedders from Depression?

In the context of rising concerns around mental health in the general population, the Men’s Shed movement offers a space to help connect and stay active. The team at Curtin University and Men’s Sheds of WA recently published a scholarly article reporting how participating in Men’s Sheds may help improve psychological wellbeing, and we are keen to share our findings with you.

What did we do?

The study involved 164 male members of Men’s Sheds in Western Australia. Data was collected through an online survey as part of the broader Thriving Sheds Project.

The research primarily investigated two factors that can increase risk of depression: social anxiety and behavioural activation. Many older men experience social anxiety, which can lead to feelings of isolation and increase the risk of depression. The study sought to determine if Men’s Sheds could offer a protective environment against these challenges.

Behavioural activation refers to participation in enjoyable and meaningful activities. Low levels of behavioural activation increase risk of depression. The study explored how behavioural activation within Men’s Sheds could reduce the risk of depression, especially for Shedders experiencing high social anxiety.

What did we find?

A pivotal finding was that the quality of social networks within Men’s Sheds may diminish the impact of social anxiety on depression. This means that if you experience social anxiety, you are less likely to also feel depressed if you develop strong social connections within your Shed. Your fellow Shedders can help to protect you from feeling depressed.

As expected, higher behavioural activation was associated with lower depressive symptoms, but particularly in men with smaller social networks in the shed or higher social anxiety. This suggests that the activities within the Shed may be particularly important for Shedders who find it difficult to develop a close social network within their Shed.

Implications for Men’s Shed Members

These findings are highly relevant for Men’s Shed members and leaders. They highlight the dual benefits of Men’s Sheds:

Building Strong Social Networks: The study reinforces the importance of fostering strong social ties within Sheds. These connections serve as a buffer against the negative effects of social anxiety and depression. Members and leaders should always try to foster positive relationships and be on the lookout for other members they can support, even if they seem introverted and shy.

Promoting Active Engagement: Engaging in purposeful and enjoyable tasks within the Shed provides mental health benefits, particularly for those who might feel socially anxious or less connected. Members should aim to engage regularly in shed activities that they find enjoyable and meaningful. This study demonstrates that both the social aspects and the activities and projects within Sheds contribute to the wellbeing of members.

Conclusion: Men’s Sheds as a Mental Health Resource

This study sheds light on the significant role Men’s Sheds can play in improving the mental health of older men. By offering a space for social interaction and active participation in meaningful activities, Men’s Sheds are a practical and effective resource for promoting wellbeing among older men.

Stay tuned for more research findings about Shed Life from the Thriving Shed Project.

For more information go to https://doi. org/10.1093/heapro/daad180, or see:

Clarke, J. J., Talbot, R., Holmes, K., Wild, J., Ashley, J., & McEvoy, P. M. (2023). Social anxiety, behavioural activation and depression risk in older men: protection through Men’s Shed membership. Health Promotion International, 38(6), 1-12.

James Clarke

Curtin University Lecturer

thrive and evolve

Men’s Sheds of WA 2023 State Conference

By Rhiannon Arnold

In November 2023 the Men’s Sheds of WA Biennial State Conference brought together 200 attendees for the two-day event. It was the result of a lot of hard work from the Men’s Sheds of WA team, and we were happy to see the event was such a success. We were honoured to have our patron His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson APM Governor General of Western Australia open the conference and attend with his wife and co-patron Mrs Darrilyn Dawson. Notable political figures including Don Punch MLA, Kate Chaney MLA, and Shadow Minister Shane Love were also in attendance, emphasizing the significance of the Men’s Sheds movement in the state.

One of the highlights of the conference was the culmination of two years of extensive research conducted by Curtin University. Professors Peter McEvoy and Kirsten Holmes launched the “What Makes a Thriving Shed” report, a comprehensive document aimed at understanding the dynamics that contribute to the success of Men’s Sheds in Western Australia. The report serves as a valuable resource for future development, and we are looking forward to developing this research to benefit all Sheds around Western Australia.

The launch of the research report adds a valuable resource to the Men’s Sheds movement, setting the stage for continued growth and impact. As sheds continue to thrive and evolve, they play a crucial role in promoting community, mental health, and skill development among men in Western Australia.

The conference provided a unique platform for shed members to come together, an opportunity we don’t always get in a state as large as ours. Attendees were able to engage with industry experts, gaining insights into best practices and new approaches to shed activities.

We have received a lot of positive feedback from Shed Members who have said they enjoyed the speakers and the topics covered at the event.

“The individual keynote speakers at the start of each day were great,” one Shed Member said.

“The conference was a positive and harmonious atmosphere that brought everyone together,” another member said. These events take a lot of work and energy, but they are an important chance to celebrate the achievements of WA Sheds, which serve as vital hubs for community engagement, skill development, and mental health support. The recognition from political figures and industry experts further validates the significant role that Men’s Sheds play in addressing social issues and fostering a sense of belonging.

As we start a new year, the Men’s Sheds of WA team is already hard at work to ensure we can continue to support WA Sheds.

A big thank you to everyone who attended the conference. We had members from Sheds across the state come along, from Broome to Albany and everywhere in between. As always it was fantastic to get the chance to see you all in person and we look forward to working with you in 2024.

Men’s Sheds of WA Awards Winners 2023

By Rhiannon Arnold

On Friday 3 November 2023 the winners of the Men’s Sheds of WA Shed Awards 2023 were announced.

While every Shed in WA embodies the winning categories in their own way the five award categories of Environment, Community, Men’s Health, Mateship and Craftsmanship were awarded to nominated sheds who had achieved a great level of engagement in their projects.

It was a difficult decision for the Men’s Sheds of WA team to decide who the winners should be; all the nominations were excellent examples of the amazing work Sheds do in Western Australia.

The winner of the Environment Award was the Green Head Men’s Shed for their Cash for Can’s program which helped to fund a community grant program.

Each year a grant system is advertised to distribute the profits of the Cash for Cans funds. Successful grant applicants have included Primary Schools, Bowls Clubs, St John’s Ambulance services, Fire Brigades and more, totaling some $50,000 being distributed to the local community.

The winner of the Mateship Award was Steve Kylen, Bruce Wright and the leadership team at the Melville Shed who have worked hard to get the shed off the ground.

When the Canning Men’s Shed had to close its doors Melville took in a number of their members, and have also created a space for the Canning Computer Community Men’s Shed.

The Wellbeing and Health Officer position has been expanded to become a Wellbeing Team, which recognises the breadth of activities and initiatives that foster wellbeing in Sheds.

The winner of the Men’s Health Award was the Motorcycle Men’s Shed. Shed President Gary Pontifex and the rest of

the Motorcycle Men’s Shed team have harnessed the power of us-ness and taken it state wide.

The relatively new shed visit other sheds across the state, from Albany to Kalgoorlie and everywhere in between to talk about Men’s Health, and celebrate the mental health benefits of Sheds.

You can read more about the Motorcycle Men’s Shed in the second edition of the Sheds WA magazine here.

The winner of the Community Award was the Broome Men’s Shed for their project the Japanese Castle Replica.

The Japanese community of Broome had a significant beneficial impact on the early history of Broome including the commencing of the first school and through Broome’s pearling industry. Broome has an ongoing sister-city relationship with the Japanese city of Taiji. The original version of the caste replica was constructed from cardboard by one of the Japanese pearl divers, but after some time the cardboard deteriorated. The Broome Men’s Shed built a replacement scale model to recognise the cultural diversity the Japanese divers and migrants brought to Broome and acknowledge their early history is not forgotten.

The winner of the Craftsmanship Award was the Manning Men’s Shed for their Fish and Fauna art installation which was on display at the Manning Library Box Gallery earlier this year.

The artwork represented the fish and fauna found in the Swan and Canning rivers and took over 25 Shed members to help create the project.

A big thank you to all the Sheds who nominated for the Awards and a congratulations to those Sheds who won. We always look forward to hearing your Shed stories and triumphs.

Environment Award Community Award

Mateship Award

Men’s Health Award

Honourable mentions:

Fremantle Community Men’s Shed | Intergenerational initiative, working with year 6 students to build billy carts

Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed | Perth Royal Show

Craftsmanship Award

Brunswick Junction | Community Food Cart

York Men’s Shed | Community engagement projects

Pinjarra Men’s Shed | Model train

Buddy Benches in the West

Abridged article. See full article here

As John Dodman, Director of Community Services for the Como Rotary Club explains, [the Buddy Bench concept] all started with a BBC World Radio programme he was listening to late one night back in 2019.

“The programme was all about the Buddy Bench Association of Ireland and how the creation of these benches in the school playground signified a ‘safe place’ for vulnerable children and acted as a deterrent to schoolyard bullying. The subsequent benefits to mental health and wellbeing were obvious. I started to consider how this successful, fairly-simple community project could be adapted by Rotary in Perth. The answer was equally simple … get the regional Men’s Sheds involved” explains John.

So Como Rotary Club, in conjunction with Manning Men’s Shed, started with their first Buddy Benches installation at Como’s Collier Primary School later the same year. As part of the school’s ‘Resilience Programme’ which was coordinated by the school’s chaplain, the bench was created to represent “a safe and quiet zone in the school grounds for children who require support and assistance … whether this be during the child’s lesson time, individual quiet time or playtime.

“We also had in place a community partnership with local primary school –Collier Primary – and so we approached the Principal, Kevin Saunders, to seek interest

in a trial of Buddy Benches at the school. Kevin was very positive and explained that the concept coincided with internal Education Department programmes for the State’s Primary Schools to support children in the school yard in terms of their mental health education and resilience.

“Collier Primary agreed to take two benches constructed by Manning Men’s Shed which were delivered ‘raw’ so the children could paint them and achieve a greater sense of ownership in doing so,” John explains. Broadly endorsed by the WA Department of Education and actively supported by Men’s Sheds of WA, the success of the first benches at Collier Primary School ultimately led to Como Rotary Club acting as a type of ‘agent’ for other schools, Rotary Clubs and regional Men’s Sheds to come together to foster the programme and create benches for other locations throughout the Perth region.

“We suggest a local Rotary Club act as coordinator of the project between the school and the Men’s Shed, and to support the funding needed for basic raw material (which is generally in the range of $200 to $300). The Men’s Shed will subsequently liaise with the school and undertake the construction of the Buddy Bench.”

The success of such a liaison role for Como Rotary has subsequently seen the connection of the Station Street Men’s

Shed in Cannington with Gosnells Rotary Club and two local primary schools –Thornlie Primary and South Thornlie Primary Schools – for which the Men’s Shed has made and installed a timber and steel Buddy Bench in each location. An excellent example of how Men’s Sheds are a significant part of the local community to which they contribute in very real and tangible ways, the success of the project also demonstrates another ‘bridging of the gap’ between the generations and an education of sorts, showing today’s youth the skills and talents, not to mention the interest and concern, of folks much older than them. As of August 2023, over fifty Buddy Benches have already been made and installed throughout the greater Perth region, the continuing progress

and development of the project being underpinned by the important ‘three way partnership’ of Rotary, Men’s Sheds and local Primary Schools. With the support and generous donations of companies such as Bunnings and Perth’s Madalia Steel, more Buddy Benches are in the making, all constructed at a fraction of the cost of commercial equivalents ($700 to $800) and crafted with love and the input of the children they are designed to support.

As appeared in the #232 November/ December 2023 Edition of The Australian Woodworker. Reproduced with the kind permission of Skills Publishing Ltd - the publishers of The Australian Woodworker.

WHO do you go to?

The Mission of Men’s Sheds in WA is: Enriching the lives and enhancing the wellbeing and health of local men.

One of the key drivers behind this encompassing mission is the WHO of each shed: the Wellbeing and Health Officer. Whilst every member is entrusted with promoting and enhancing the wellbeing and health for themselves and others, having a go-to person in each Shed has proved over time to improve the overall care of the Shed and its members.

When I was appointed Chaplain in early 2019, one of my roles was to promote the welfare in each Shed. A few Sheds at that time had Welfare Officers but I felt there was a need to widen the scope of their work, plus of course the term welfare sometimes engenders negative connotations.

So WHOs were formed and promoted at Zone Meetings, the emphasis being on “WHO do you go to for help?” Since those formative days, over 50% of WA Men’s Sheds now have their own WHO, and the concept has since been adopted by all Men’s Sheds Associations across Australia. With support from the Federal Health Department, our Regional Health Coordinator Rebecca Talbot joined the team 2 years ago. Together we support the WHOs to support their fellow Shedders.

What does the WHO do?

The Wellbeing and Health Officers are the ‘Noticers’, they keep an eye out for Shedders who don’t seem themselves, and they

review sign-in lists for those who haven’t been attending. They are the “Go-To-Guys” for any health-related queries, where they link Shedders to myself and Rebecca to access information and support. The WHOs also advocate for those non-woodwork activities that contribute to the wellbeing of their members – monthly BBQs, shed excursions, health guest speakers, and visits to members who are unwell, injured or bereaved.

“But we all look after each other”

It’s true we are all responsible for looking after our mates, but without a coordinator, my experience as a pastoral care coordinator for nearly 50 years is that “if all are responsible, no one is responsible”. This can often lead to people falling through the cracks.

We have the utmost respect for those in the Shed who take on the role of being the WHO for their Shedders. Their compassion, dedication and ability to ascertain when someone needs a hand, are a huge asset to the overall wellbeing and health of the Shed. The stories shared by the WHOs, and by those they have helped, are a huge testimony of how effective Sheds are for “enriching the lives and enhancing the wellbeing and health of local men.”

Richard McAllister Chaplain WHO promoter

FIND YOUR LOCAL MEN’S SHED

A place of acceptance, connection and activity for all men