Men in a Shed

A Short History

A community consultation process late in 2005 identified the need for a social and activities group for older, disabled and/or otherwise disadvantaged men in our community.

The Men in Sheds model had great appeal and there was strong support to initiate a similar project in the Wentworth Shire.

The inside of the Shed takes shape as members start to sort through the host of donated materials.

An immediate short-term goal was set to establish the group and give it some direction based on the activities articulated by the men in our communities.

The medium term goal was seen as building the group’s capacity to assist the community in partnership with the Shire, existing health organisations and other community groups including service and sporting clubs.

The long-term goal is to become self-sustaining and a valued contributor to the ongoing health, amenity and welfare of the community while at all times addressing prominent and ongoing men’s health issues including depression, social isolation and physical wellbeing.
The project is being facilitated by a partnership between the Shire and Dareton Primary Health.

The first meeting, attended by a dozen interested men was held at Keith Rodoni’s engineering workshop in Dareton in November 2005.

The concept was given the thumbs up by those present and a second meeting was called for December.

That meeting attracted 25 interested would-be members and the concept was up and running.

The first of the stationary engines awaits final painting after be mechanically restored by Shed members.

Goals were set and the drive began to equip the Shed with the necessary tools and equipment to undertake the activities the meeting had articulated. These included:

• Mechanical restoration (Undertake restoration projects on behalf of group members & others)
• Woodwork
• Metalwork (welding, lathe work etc)
• Cut and polish gem stones
• Art (painting)
• Furniture restoration
• Community help outreach (assistance for elderly around home)
• Compile an oral history of the district from member recollections (in partnership with Wentworth Historical Society).

An application was made to the Local Government Association of NSW for funding under its Health Local Government Grants Program, but this was unsuccessful.

Undeterred, the group forged on, meeting monthly with the membership growing to 30-plus.

Generous donations from the community of a venue, tools, equipment and materials, and a modest cash injection from the Shire, started the ball rolling.

The group incorporated and the big breakthrough came when the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club agreed to underwrite the cost of insurance, totalling nearly $3000.

Shed members working on another project. This time it is birdhouses constructed from donated materials including sweatboxes.

From then on, as the group applied for funding from a number of sources, the money to underpin tools, equipment and materials purchases began to roll in.

The first to assist was the Wentworth Community Bank ($2000) with other money coming from the $20 a year membership fee set by members and the proceeds of Dareton Primary Health’s highly successful Men’s Health Week forum in Wentworth in June.

The forum was staged by a community partnership, bringing together DPH, the Shire, Apex and Rotary.

The generous donations from the wider community have continued to amaze members including those of tools and materials as well as much-needed infrastructure including benches, cupboards and shelving to name but a few.

The project is a complementary initiative that meshes with existing health projects undertaken in the area including the Two Rivers Indigenous Men’s Group, Senior Citizen’s activities and the popular ‘Men on the Move’ social group.

More Information

• Men In A Shed