The gentle aroma of saw dust permeates the nostrils, tools and equipment hang from every available hook, and the reassuring hum of blokes chattering melts the airwaves in between deafening bouts of saws, drills and hammers caressing wood into whatever craftsmanship dream takes a fella’s fancy. Welcome to the Forest Community Men’s Shed and meet President Tim O’Sullivan to tell us more about the workshop retired blokes treasure dearly.
Tim, what and where is the Forest Community Men’s Shed?
After 3 years in the planning, we established The Men’s Shed in Belrose in 2007 to provide a woodworking and hobbies workshop facility and ‘drop-in centre’ for retired and older aged men, where they can meet and socialise with other men and at the same time work on personal or community projects. I like to say, “it’s a great place to share a yarn, a cuppa and muck about with wood”.
What inspired the idea?
The project to establish a men’s shed arose from my own experience of suffering depression as a result of having to take an early retirement, aged 55, due to an injury and subsequent medical conditions. I was inspired by having visited a men’s shed in Lane Cove which had been established in 1998. Having seen first-hand how that shed was helping retired men to combat loneliness, I was convinced that a similar shed in The Forest could be of significant benefit to a growing demographic of retired men.
How does The Shed work – what do the blokes do there?
The Men’s Shed is primarily a woodworking and hobbies workshop that provides an extensive range of tools and equipment that can be used by the members. We operate 5 days a week, 10am – 3pm. Members are free to come to The Shed as often as they wish and to stay for as long as they choose and do what makes them happy and gives them pleasure – working alongside other blokes.
What community need does the Men’s Shed solve?
Social isolation, loneliness and a sense of being disenfranchised by society are just some of the very real difficulties that some men experience and have to deal with through the loss of their business networks when they retire, and this can result in depression and other health issues. The Men’s Shed provides a safe and welcoming environment where men can establish new social networks and friendships thereby reducing the incidence of loneliness, isolation and depression.
How do men get involved with The Shed?
Our Shed website has loads of information to assist men who are ‘curious’, however the simplest way is for those interested to simply call in at The Shed any weekday between 10am – 3pm. Visitors will be made most welcome and offered a ‘cuppa and bikkie’ if they arrive around 10.30 am. To become a Men’s Shed member, we ask visitors to complete a membership application and attend The Shed on four occasions prior to their application being reviewed and accepted by the membership committee. The cost of Shed membership is $40 per year which covers the cost of the various insurances we require in order to operate.
If Tawny readers have things they’d like created or refurbished, how do they engage The Men’s Shed to help?
The best way is via our website, simply click on the ‘Contact Us’ link, and there is a form that enquirers can fill out in the section that asks, ‘What Can We Make for You?’ Alternatively, a phone call to The Shed with an enquiry will always receive prompt attention.
Learn more at forestmensshed.org.au, give them a call on 9975 9373 or visit the shed
at Wesley Gardens, 2E Morgan Rd, Belrose.
The Forest Men’s Shed will be holding an open day on Friday 2 September. This is the perfect chance to visit and check out the workshop in person, as well as make sure the blokes you’d be working shoulder to shoulder with are your cup of tea!