Last week was international Men’s Health Week, so the men from Daylesford’s Men Shed opened up about why they attend.
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Ken Ferguson said he joined the shed for men’s health reasons and to socialise.
“I really enjoy doing things to help other people in the community, which we do a lot of here,” he said.
Mr Ferguson said people from all walks of life attend the shed, from younger men, to working professionals, people with disabilities and older men.
“There’s a lot of talent in here,” he said. “There are so many different types of personalities that it’s surprising how well we all get along. A lot of laughter goes on in here,” he said.
President Bob Thannhauser said that everybody is welcome and that the men learn all learn different skills from each other.
David Robertson also said it was a way for him to meet other people while getting creative.
“It’s a way to meet others, get involved in the community and have a good chin wag,” he said. “It’s a mental health thing really.”
Bruce Davis said when he first moved to the area, he was fairly isolated.
“I only come into town twice a week for Men’s Shed. Without it, I’d be completely lost. I wouldn’t know hardly anybody and I’d be bored. Men’s Shed is everything to me,” he said.
John Wolfe said he was in danger of becoming a recluse so attending the Men’s Shed gives him a reason to get out and socialise.
“For a lot of us, we spent 40 years working and when you stop, you get isolated. This is a brilliant place to be to keep active and make things for the community,” he said.
The men also make those welcome who are not able to attend the shed, like men living in Hepburn House.
“In summer, when it’s warmer, we visit Hepburn House and have a barbecue and a drink and just talk to them so they have someone new to talk to,” Mr Wolfe said.
The group currently has about 54 members, with 12 people attending on Mondays and up to 25 people attending on Thursdays.
Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Men’s Shed Association, David Helmers, said men’s health week is an important opportunity to highlight the fact that men “don’t do health well”.
“There’s still a great deal of stigma around many men’s health issues. [Men’s health week] is a great opportunity to recognise the capacity of shedders as role models in the community and the ways in which their positive and proactive approach to health and wellbeing promotes healthy behaviours across the community, as well as strengthens the health of thousands of older Australian men participating in the Men’s Shed movement,” he said.
