Men’s Sheds in Victoriaan introduction

Men’s Sheds in VictoriaThe information within this presentation has been prepared by the Victorian Men’sShed AssociationThe Victorian Men’s Shed Association (VMSA) was formed in 2005 and became anIncorporated Association in 2007 and is the Peak body that represents the Men’sSheds in Victoria (325 existing sheds and 25 in development 30 June 2018).Our purpose it to provide a forum for Victorian Men’s Sheds to exchange ideas,share resources and experiences, network and find support.We promote the profile of Men’s Sheds and “shedding” activities within theVictorian community and represent the interests of Victorian Sheds to government,businesses and community organisations.We also provide practical advice, assistance and support for Sheds.

What are Men’s Sheds?The personal or backyard shed is a cultural icon in Australian history. A shed was aspace in the backyard were men (grandfathers, fathers and sons), would go totinker, play, fix, repair and make items. Where skills were learnt, reinforced andhanded down through the generations. It was a blokes personal space, where theycould teach, learn, talk and discuss, and solve the problems of the world.During the 1990’s saw the establishment of a number of community sheds, thatallowed for men who did not have their own shed to participate with other men ina community based facility to participate in shed activities.These community sheds grew out of necessity due to people down sizing theirhomes in retirement, moving into retirement villages or apartments and units, andno longer having the room to have their own shed.Today we know these facilities as Men’s Sheds.

What is their purpose?The main purpose of a men’s shed is to provide for the health and well being of themen attending the shed.Assisting to reduce the social loneliness, isolation and depression caused throughunemployment, retrenchment, retirement or other life changing conditions.Sheds provide a safe and friendly environment where the men can talk, learn newskills, past on their life skills and be a part of a bigger community and be involved inmeaningful activities and projects.

What do they offerMen’s shed offer many different things to the men that attend, but most menappreciate that the biggest part of attending is the mateship or friendships that areformed.Being unemployed, retrenched or retired, many men no longer have someone totalk to, be it sports, politics, health, or just a sounding board for the many changesthat are occurring within their lives.The friendships that are formed at a shed allow these discussions to occur.The participation in meaningful activities or projects also gives confidence andpride and a sense of accomplishment in completing these activities and projects.

What activities and projects?The activities that are conducted within sheds are many and varied, are based onthe skills and interest of the blokes that attend. The main activities that occurinclude:Wood working• The making of wooden toys, bird feeders, animal enclosures, cheese boards,

cutting boards or tool boxes for kindergarten and primary school students.• The making or repairing of kitchen tables and chairs, cabinets, outdoor seating

and tables, bookcases, blanket boxes, buddy seats, mud kitchens and coffins.• Working with a lathe to produce pens, bowls, lamp stands etc• The construction of garden beds for schools and other community groups• The areas in wood working are limited by the imagination of the members.

What activities and projects?

Rocking Horse Outdoor seating Bird feeder

What activities and projects?

Raised garden beds 6 flag stand for a RSL Club Dolls House

What activities and projects?

Billy kart Mud Kitchen Lecturn

What activities and projects?

Coffin Chess Chequers board Outdoor table and seating

What activities and projects?Metal Working• The making of repairing of metal items such as animal enclosures, letter boxes,

garden hangers, gates, trailers, etc.• Working with a lathe to produce metal spindles or parts• Vehicle repairs or restorationsFood Preparation• Catering at fundraising events such as Bunnings BBQ’s• Daily or weekly meals for shed attendees• Shed events or functions – AGM’s, Mothers Day, Xmas breakups etcPainting• Landscape painting

What activities and projects?

Starting the BBQ Trailer Getting there The finished product

What activities and projects?

Feeding the masses Preparing the veggie patch Raised garden beds

What activities and projects?Social Activities• Snooker or 8 ball• Card games• Movie days• Social excursions to places of interest• Members nights or daysHealth Activities• Walking groups• Cycling groups• Exercise groups• Health information talks

What activities and projects?

Pool / snooker Cycling Group

How big is a shed?There are Men’s Sheds in Victoria that have 5 or 6 members, and there are shedsthat have almost 400 members.Across the board the average shed in Victoria would have around 50 members.As for the size of the building that a men’s shed is in, sheds also vary from verybasic single car garages to purpose built workshops of 600m2.The average new shed being built today would be around 12m x 20m or 240m2 insize, generally with a service yard beside (for waste collection and dust extraction),external paths and an area for off street car parking.These shed internally will allow for disability access for paths, doors and walkways,and disability accessible toilets, a kitchen / meals / multi purpose / meeting area,an office area, a computer room, a wood working area, a metal working area, anda materials storage area.

How big is a shed?

Montrose and District Men’s Shed Safety Beach Dromana Men’s Shed

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PK1 Phil Keily, 19/Apr/2019

How big is a shed?

Akoonah Park Men’s Shed Eynesbury Men’s Shed

How big is a shed?

Echuca Moama Men’s Shed Rupanyup & District Men’s Shed

Growth in shedsAt the time of the Incorporation of the VMSA there were 30 sheds operating inVictoria (September 2007), currently there are 325 sheds operating and a further25 sheds in start up mode.Annually we are still seeing a growth of around 20 – 25 new sheds per annum.As for the growth in members within sheds, we have seen the number increasefrom 1200 in September 2007, to almost 17,000 as of 30 June 2018.We are starting to see sheds doubling their numbers in 2 years, a shed that formswith 25 members will have 50 in 2 years time and 100 in a further 2 years.

Who operates the shed?There are currently 325 sheds operating in Victoria, of these 185 are IncorporatedAssociations and they are run by a Committee of Management elected by themembers of the shed.The Committee of Management is responsible for the day to day operations andmanagement of the shed including the finances, insurance, policies and proceduresand fundraising activities to ensure the financial viability of the shed.The remaining 140 sheds are Auspiced by another organisation, that is they are aprogramme or service offered by an other organisation.This Auspicing can be via a Neighbourhood or Community House, it may be aCommunity Health Service, it might be a church, a Residents Association, a ProgressAssociation, a hospital or Bush Nursing Home, a Lions or Rotary Club or a localcouncil or shire.

Who operates the shed? contUnder an Auspicing arrangement, their should be a Memorandum ofUnderstanding between the two parties that outlines the responsibilities andrequirements of each party to ensure the viability of the program.This will include who is the legal owner of the building, the tools and equipmentand any donations that are received.This MOU will also cover the finances of the shed, whose name the bank account isin, how accounts can be paid, how petty cash is reimbursed, who pays theelectricity, rates, insurance, maintenance / repairs of equipment.This should also provide and processes or procedures etc that need to be followed.It would also cover any reporting requirements, and communication paths betweenthe two groups.As a group that is auspiced the group is not a legal entity and cannot own anything ,nor can it operate a bank account

Where are they located?

How is a shed funded – Building stageThere are a number of area’s that funding can be received to assist with thebuilding of a new shed, or refurbing an existing building to suit a men’s shed andthese include:• Local council or shire funding• State Government funding• Federal Government funding• Donations from other community groups• Donations from other philanthropic organisations• The sheds own fundraising activities

How is a shed funded - OperationalMen’s Sheds generally do not receive any operational funding.The day to day expenses to operate the shed needs to be funded by the shedthrough their own income sources.This is generally via:• Membership fees• Daily attendance fees• Sale of food or drinks to members• Fundraising activities• Sale of surplus donated equipment• Sale of items made at the shed• Donations received

So what is a Men’s Shed?A Men’s shed is:• It is a community owned and community operated facility• A safe and friendly place for men of all ages to meet and socialise• Where Men can participate in meaningful projects at their own pace• Where Men can pass on their skills to other and learn new skill from others• Where health and well being can be improved and social isolation, loneliness and

depression can be reduced• Where men can feel part of a larger community• Where men can meet new friend and create lasting friendships

What a Men’s Shed is notA Men’s shed is not• It is not a formal training program, but you may gain new knowledge and skills• It is not a sports club, but you could play sports• It is not a health programme but your health and well being may improve• It is not an information service but you can ask for info if you need• It is not a service for men, but activities organised by men• It is not a funded service, but is does receive grants and donations

To find out moreFor further details on how to establish a men’s shed or to find an existing men’sshed in your area, please feel free to contact us:

Victorian Men’s Shed AssociationOffice: 173-175 Ordish Rd Dandenong Vic 3175Postal: PO Box 211 Bulleen Vic 3105Website: www.vmsa.org.auFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/376075325824722/Facebook name: VMSA – Public NoticesExecutive Officer: Ric Blackburn 0408 465 228 or vmsa@vmsa.org.auField officer: Phil Keily 0484 867 000 or philk@vmsa.org.au