David Morrison at work in the Stanhope Men’s Shed. Photos: Rechelle Zammit
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
There are more than 1200 Men’s Sheds in towns and suburbs across Australia. Some are more serious than others, as GEOFF ADAMS discovered in the small dairy community of Stanhope.
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When you enter the building and see a forklift parked in the corner, you know this Men’s Shed means business.
“We’re not really tinkerers,” founding member Des Crichton said about the Stanhope Men’s Shed.
“Things happen here more on an industrial scale.”
The members tend to be oriented towards projects, like the old grey Fergy tractor they are restoring, or the timber tables they are working on.
On the day Don called in, the very comfortable (and warm) kitchen was deserted and everyone was on the job, working the saws, drills and hand tools.
“Wednesday is usually a busy day,” Des said.
“Friday we tend to have a few around for coffee and tea.”
Men’s Sheds developed as a meeting place for retired men who were wanting to be occupied and rediscover networks after leaving friends from their workplaces.
Les Williamson stands proudly with his handmade barrel table made from scratch.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Some call it mental health, others see it as simply a hobby shed.
According to the Australian Men’s Shed Association: “Becoming a member of a Men’s Shed provides a safe and busy environment where men can find many of these things in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship. And, importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a yarn and a cuppa if that is all they’re looking for.”
The Stanhope group has expanded its role to include fundraising for worthy local projects and selling some of its projects to raise money for the shed.
The group has benefited from a unique relationship with the Fonterra milk processing factory that dominates the town’s skyline.
When the factory generates wood and steel packing, the Stanhope Men’s Shed co-ordinators are called — and invariably the men find something useful to recycle.
“It works well for both of us,” Des said.
“They get rid of the waste and we get to use the timber.”
They have racks of recovered timber in the shed yard, and they have even built a lock-up storage shed out of re-used packing material.
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