Recently the Twin Rivers Men’s Shed held its 2024 annual general meeting, the first in their permanent home in Johnsonville.
Jim Nicol was re-elected as president, the new secretary is Keith Bone who replaces the departing Greg Hayes.
The committee expressed its gratitude for the hard work that Greg did over three and a half years as secretary of the newly-formed men’s shed – obtaining grants and funding, liaising with local authorities and helping to set up the shed in its formative years.
The men’s shed building has now been occupied since early this year and work has almost completed in setting up a clean, quiet, welcoming eating and meeting area. Work is proceeding to complete the layout of the workshop area so that members will be able to get the maximum use out of the equipment they have generously been donated.
The men’s shed members thanked Bunnings Bairnsdale for the assistance it has given them, also the hard work and time that outgoing vice president Grover Hurle has given in working with members to construct internal walls and facilities.
The other two pictures show some members enjoying lunch and a “Rogues’ Gallery” made by computer expert, Mick.
Over the past few months there have been presentations concerning men’s health and community health issues. At present, the Twin Rivers Men’s Shed operates three mornings a week (Tuesday – Thursday) in Johnsonville.
WHAT MAKES A MEN’S
SHED SPECIAL?
Most men have learned from the club’s culture they don’t talk about feelings and emotions. Many do not take an interest in their own health and wellbeing. Unlike women, most men are reluctant to talk about their emotions and that means they usually don’t ask for help. Probably because of this, many men are less healthy than women and suffer more from isolation, loneliness and depression.
Becoming a member of a men’s shed provides a safe and busy environment where men can find many of these things in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship. And, importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a yarn and a cuppa if that is all they’re looking for.
Members of men’s sheds come from all walks of life – the bond that unites them is they are men with time on their hands and would like something meaningful to do with that time.
A men’s shed has a management committee that has developed a safe and happy environment where men are welcome to work on community projects, specific men’s shed projects or a project of their choice in their own time and where the only ‘must’ is to observe safe working practices…. all in a spirit of mateship.
The men’s shed movement has become a powerful tool in addressing health and wellbeing and helping men.
