July 2017
Our Men’s Shed is celebrating its 3rd birthday this month, and what an amazing three years it’s been.
The idea to establish a Men’s Shed originally came from our Activities Officer, Peter Eveille, who had previously helped start a Men’s Activity Centre for Banksia Lodge and Banksia Village residents in November 2013.
Pete and co-shedders at work
While the Activities Centre was popular, with around 20 residents regularly participating, Peter felt there was a need to further improve the activities available especially for male residents at our residential aged care facility, Banksia Lodge.
Having had prior experience with the Men’s Shed program, Pete could see the benefits it would offer our residents for social contact and support, keeping active, and using their skills or learning new ones. So, with full support from Banksia, Pete set about establishing our Men’s Shed and worked with the University of Canberra’s CHART Program to secure initial funding for the project.
Thanks to Pete’s efforts and commitment, Banksia Men’s Shed was officially registered as a member of the Australian Men’s Shed Association in July 2014 and with the support of its members has been going strong ever since.
Some of the beautiful wares made by our Men’s Shed members
Three years down the track, the Men’s Shed plays an important role in our active living program. Members – or “shedders”, as they’re known – meet each week for a work session and a cuppa, often followed by a sausage sizzle and a beer when they’ve downed tools for the day. It’s a great way for them to keep active and mentally stimulated and enjoy some relaxed social contact.
“We average around 45 members altogether now, with around 4-5 coming along each week”, says Peter. “Over time members have joined from the retirement village part of Banksia too, which is really great for social interaction and sharing skills.”
In addition to making products for fundraising, the Men’s Shed members are also giving back to the broader community through initiatives such as the partnership with Mogo Zoo by providing breeding boxes for the Zoo’s breeding program.
Peter Eveille and Jim in the shed
The official Men’s Shed program is run by the Australian Men’s Shed Association, who set out to provide a way for local communities to create a safe and busy environment for men with no pressure and plenty of mateship.
Established in 2007, the Association supports almost 1,000 individual Men’s Sheds across the country.
To find out more about the Australian Men’s Shed Association , or how you can start a Men’s Shed in your area, visit their website at www.mensshed.org/, call them on 1300 550 009 or email them at amsa@mensshed.net.