Page 1227 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 7 May 2014
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described, as a way of providing practical support for men in our suburbs. That is an important point to make leading on from what Mr Doszpot has just said. These sheds emerge from the community; it is the community that has the initiative and the government comes along underneath that and supports the work they have done and are doing. The top-down approach will never work with these kinds of groups.
As you said, Mr Assistant Speaker, men, in particular when they retire, often find themselves in a situation where they are faced with the risk of isolation, loneliness, perhaps depression and possibly suicide. As we all know, men’s health issues, particularly as they grow older, have a significant impact in terms of their general wellbeing and the effect of that on the whole community. As we are aware, after men retire, their usual busy routine is disrupted and their day-to-day contact with their workmates is obviously curtailed. That significantly increases the chances of feelings of isolation and worthlessness.
It is generally recognised that after many years of employment many people find it difficult to adjust to life after they retire; for obvious reasons. We can see that men’s sheds provide an environment which is safe and informal, where men can meet to share their stories with one another and as a way of transferring their skills to others. No wonder their numbers are increasing in our suburbs in Canberra.
A research project that was undertaken in South Australia under the national vocational education and training research and evaluation program funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training on behalf of the Australian government and state and territory governments says that men’s sheds provide mateship and a sense of belonging through positive and therapeutic informal activities and experiences with other men. The report goes on to say that men’s sheds achieve positive health, happiness, and wellbeing outcomes for men who participate as well as for their partners, families and communities. This is a good outcome not only for the individuals but also for the general community.
In my Ginninderra electorate alone—and you have mentioned some of these, Mr Assistant Speaker—we currently have about seven active men’s sheds, including Hall Men’s Shed; Melba Men’s Shed; Belconnen Community Men’s Shed; Giralang-Kaleen Men’s Shed; Kangara Waters Men’s Shed—which is a men’s shed in a retirement village that you highlighted when you were speaking—ACT Model Railway Society and the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation ACT. However, due to the men’s shed movement being relatively new, coupled with its rapid growth, it is possible there could be more sheds that we do not know about yet and potential for more sheds to emerge. It is for these reasons I believe it is important that governments find ways to engage and closely work with men’s sheds to facilitate their development and secure their long-term sustainability.
Recognising the importance of men’s sheds in the Belconnen community, I, along with my colleagues Ms Berry and Dr Bourke, on 3 February this year successfully convened a Ginninderra men’s shed forum here in the Legislative Assembly. The aim of the forum was to facilitate networking opportunities for the various Ginninderra shed members as well as to listen to the issues that sheds had both individually and collectively. We also sought to map out ways we as elected members can work together with them towards achieving satisfactory long-term solutions.
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