Page 1228 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 7 May 2014
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The success of this initial forum then set the stage for the recent inaugural ACT men’s shed forum that was held on 29 April which you, Mr Assistant Speaker, spoke about and outlined the benefits. The forum was a great success, and your motion is one more step in strengthening this movement across the ACT.
It is difficult to talk about such an important and successful movement without reflecting on my personal experience with the men’s sheds. As you are aware, over the years since being elected to the Legislative Assembly I have had the privilege of being invited to most of the Belconnen sheds. During these visits I was privileged to listen to men share their successes as well as their challenges and sometimes what are heart-warming stories and at other times heart-wrenching stories.
I have also seen firsthand how these sheds continue to assist men in Ginninderra. I would like to highlight one men’s shed—that is the Belconnen Community Men’s Shed in Page, which I have had the privilege of being invited to on several occasions. I have seen the progress that has been made from the early days through to the recent official opening, which Ms Berry was also able to attend.
As you are aware, this shed is auspiced by the Mosaic Baptist Church in Belconnen, which also donated the land beside the church’s community centre on which the shed is now built. In February 2011 a committee was formed to create a space where men could meet and share their stories and skills and learn new skills and support one another. Through these visits I heard the stories that were told of people who know of suicide by men who battled with isolation, loneliness and depression whose lives could have been saved, perhaps, had there been such a facility as the men’s shed or had they known about one nearby. I also heard very positive stories that reassured me that the shed was already making a big difference to men in Belconnen, turning lives of isolation around and building relationships.
Mr Assistant Speaker, the men’s shed movement in the ACT has shown that with spirited determination a small group of people can make a difference in our community. Before closing, I especially thank my fellow members for Ginninderra, Ms Berry and Dr Bourke, and also you, Mr Assistant Speaker, for the work that we are doing together. I acknowledge the work of my staff and thank them for their support in the work we are doing as members in this place. I add my thanks to yours, Mr Assistant Speaker, to the representatives of all the men’s sheds who have so willingly joined with us to help them strengthen the movement.
It is because of these experiences that I strongly support this motion calling on the ACT government to continue the current feasibility study into the needs and roles of the ACT local men’s sheds, recognising their vital contribution to wellbeing and the contribution men’s sheds make to the broader community; investigate the best ways to make the ACT government information and services available to the men’s sheds and their participants; and investigate the provision of training opportunities for the men’s shed members, including machinery operation, occupational health and safety and basic first aid.
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