The Australian Men’s Shed Association held a men’s shed gathering at Lakes Entrance last Tuesday, with members from Maffra to Bemm River and everywhere in between attending.
There was a barbecue breakfast before presentations and workshop sessions on ‘Future-proofing Your Shed’ were presented.
From humble beginnings there are now 1300 men’s sheds in Australia which take on the essential role of health and wellbeing for not only their members, but men in general.
Health and wellbeing officer with Men’s Shed Association, Stuart Torrance, introduced the program, Shed Mates in Action, which centres around the next phase of the health and welfare initiative and is a simple and easy guide to taking a purposeful approach to improving and evaluating member wellbeing.
It has been majorly supported by the Black Dog Ride, which is a group of motorbike enthusiasts who have fundraised and supported the shedder wellbeing initiative, Shed Mates.
“It centres around forming a team or officer within the local shed specifically for wellbeing, often presidents and others have not got the time for extra roles,” Mr Torrance said.
“This team or individual can have tasks such as engaging old members that have left and address their needs, ensuring that they reach out to as many men as possible, not just to join a men’s shed, but encouraging them to join a bowls club or some other activity.
“Those getting older may not be able to do the same activities as they used to, so even a day where the shed downs tools and has a barbecue, board and card game day for example could entice some members that have left to join in once more.”
Mr Torrance was pleased with the opportunity to visit Lakes Entrance and have so many sheds attending.
“Those in cities have more opportunities to hold workshops etc. It is good to get out into the regional and remote areas which sometimes miss out on these types of events,” he said.
IMAGE: Australian Men’s Shed Association health and wellbeing officer, Stuart Torrance, presented a thought-provoking and informative ‘Future-proofing Your Shed’ interactive workshop.
