Over the past two to two and a half years the men from the Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed have been seen at the Lane Cove Plaza with the assortment of wooden objects for sale. Their presence follows a fairly long hiatus that started even before the COVID shutdowns.
So who are these men and what is a Men’s Shed all about? In The Cove chatted with the Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed, check out our Q&A session with the Lane Cove Men’s Shed
What is a Men’s Shed really about?
Men’s Sheds are epitomised by the moto of the Men’s Shed movement: “Shoulder to Shoulder”.
Men are not naturally socially engaging creatures. Whereas women seem to easily form social groups and are naturally able to interact socially, men are much less communicative; more taciturn if you like.
Back in the late 1990’s the Federal Government recognised that there is a place for local, informal venues where men in a local community can spend time engaged in manual crafts and, through this catalyst, socialise, communicate and form friendships, especially in their senior years. The Men’s Shed movement grew out of this vision.
So, Men’s Sheds are essentially community-based, not-for-profit, non-commercial organisations that promote men’s health and camaraderie in a congenial environment.
The first Men’s Sheds based on this vision were opened in Lane Cove, NSW, and Tongata, VIC, in 1998. Yes, it often surprises members of the community in the Lane Cove local government area to learn that the Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed is one of the first two formal Men’s Sheds incorporated in Australia.
We in Lane Cove should be proud that our Men’s Shed and our first president, Ted Donnelly, were foundation members of the Men’s Shed movement – indeed, the Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed is still widely recognised globally as the model upon which men’s sheds were developed.
So, Men’s Sheds are not just about woodwork?
Far from it! Men’s Sheds are about promoting men’s health, in particular social, emotional, and mental health, in a congenial and friendly environment.
Woodwork is simply a catalyst that most Men’s Sheds use to bring men together. There are men’s sheds in Greater Sydney area that have metalwork workshops, electronics workshops, bands, choirs, one we know of has a cooking group. These are all simply areas of common interest that Men’s Sheds use to bring men together.
Does the Lane Cove shed have this diversity of activities?
Unfortunately, we do not. We would dearly love to but, sadly, space – or the lack of it – is our greatest enemy.
We are still located where it all began in Lane Cove in 1998. Our shed lacks the space that modern sheds have. That means we lack the space to accommodate the diverse activities that more modern sheds have. Due to the limited space we do not have the facilities to comply with today’s regulatory environment for working with our less able brothers.
We have discussed the idea of taking less demanding shed-based activities to aged care home but we have not met with any success to date. If any of your readers has the space to conduct craft activities for the less able members of our community, we would love to explore opportunities with them.
So, what does the Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed do?
Our focus is on woodwork. Our main activity, since COVID restrictions were lifted, has been repairing wooden furniture for members of the community. People ask us to repair wooden furniture for two main reasons: they are sentimentally attached to the furniture, or they prefer restoring to disposing, or both.
We also make bespoke items for members of the community. Lane Cove Council, the Gallery Lane Cove, Carisbrook House, and the Uniting Chaplaincy in Lane Cove, are four of our staunch supporters.
We have made all manner of wooden objects for them: from possum nests and birds’ nests for Lane Cove Council, to portable printing presses for the Gallery, to period kitchen furniture for Carisbrook House, to wooden doves and small lecterns for Uniting. We have made bee hives, children’s tables and chairs, stools, step-stools, and other wooden objects for members of the community.
We make toys; we make lots of toys. Children are the best critics – they either like something or they don’t, they do not leave any doubt! That’s why it is so gratifying to make wooden toys. There is no grater reward than to see a child’s eyes light up with enthusiasm when it enjoys playing with something we make.
Do you charge for your work?
Yes, we have to, but modestly, to fund our operations.
We prefer to agree an amount with a client before we commence a project for them. The amount is usually based on us recovering the cost of materials we will use plus an amount to cover overheads such as wear and tear of our tools. You may be surprised how expensive it can be to replace a saw blade or a sanding belt, but by far the most expensive part of a project is the cost of finishes. Paints and varnishes are sooo expensive!
We must compliment the members of the Lane Cove community for their generosity. Our clients sometimes donate more than the agreed cost which is very rewarding feeling for our members.
Where are you located at present?
We are very grateful to the Uniting Church for accommodating us at: 15 Figtree Street, Lane Cove.
Uniting provides space for our shed in the basement parking area at St Columba’s. Indeed, we have been there since it all first started back in 1998! Thank you Uniting.
Who is eligible to join the Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed and how does one go about joining?
At present, our constitution only provides for male members. This provision is in keeping with the original intentions of creating a safe and congenial environment for promoting men’s health.
Some of the newer sheds in the Greater Sydney area were incorporated with a constitution that provides for women to be members. While many members of the Lane Cove shed believe that we should alter our constitution to provide for women members, that “S” word – SPACE – is our greatest impediment. Expanding our membership with female members may mean that we must restrict the number of new male members. That would be contrary to the core tenet of the Federal Government’s vision for Men’s Sheds: to promote men’s health.
One day, when we have a new shed with space to grow, things can change. Joining our shed is really quite simple: come and visit us to discuss your interest to be a member.
We are open on Mondays to Thursdays. The best time to call by is between 10:00AM and 2:00PM.
Members of the Lane Cove Women’s Shed use our shed on a Friday.
Does one have to be a woodworker to join?
No, not all. Some of our members come to our shed just to enjoy a chat and a cup of tea or coffee. AMSA has a great poster with a tag line that says:
“Solving the world’s problems, two cups at a time.”
That should be sufficient reason to join a Men’s Shed.
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