Mens Shed

The concept of the Men's shed originated in Australia.  Research in to male learning combined with a realisation that mens' needs were not being addressed gave rise to the development of places where men could go to talk to blokes about blokes things.  The idea was picked up by people involved in community education in New Zealand.  One such person is Dr. Neil Bruce, Coordinator for community education at Melville High School in Hamilton, who set about establishing a shed in Hamilton.  After a series of public meetings a steering committee was formed and a shed set up.

Manager - Community Relations John Smith realised that there was an opportunity, for men that Lifestyle Trust comes in to contact with, who might benefit from such a group.  After attending the launch of the men's shed here in Hamilton he joined the steering committee and helped organised the venue for the shed.  Surprise, surprise the initial shed is located in the rear building of the old Sunshine Avenue site.   The shed has been registered as a trust and both trustees and an operational committee have been elected.  A membership scheme is now underway. The shed is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 10am and 2pm at 80 Sunshine Ave, Te Rapa.

The men actually run the shed. They decide what to do, when to do it and at what pace they do it.  There are individual projects and group projects.  The men try and resource as much material and tools as they can.  Already there has been an excellent response to a request for start up equipment.

The benefits for the community from the shed are the utilising of skills that may have been hidden and unused, the construction of community projects that may have been unaffordable and the addressing of some of the problems that older men suffer from. Already the shed coordinator, Allan Gunter, has assisted the SPCA with some building projects.

The benefits for men are that the shed is a place to be yourself where you can do what you want, when you want, where you want.  You can met other men, exchange ideas, learn, teach and just generally socialise.

For more information contact John 847 4255 extension 705.