Page 1231 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 7 May 2014
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people who are entering retirement are given support, because, for many people, leaving the workplace can leave them feeling isolated and without purpose. These are the kinds of challenges that the men’s sheds can help overcome.
As the baby boomer generation begins their journey into retirement, many on the right of politics and technocrats with no imagination will begin to put pressure on our right to a dignified retirement. We must push back on these challenges and we must also be creative. That is why I am happy today to stand up and highlight and applaud the good work of Canberra’s men’s sheds.
Our community has many challenges facing us over the next few years, especially if Mr Abbott and his Liberal government fulfil his promise and put a wrecking ball through our city. So it is nice to give time to recognising one of the good-news stories of our community and to recommit our support to men’s sheds and the great work of their members. Thank you, Mr Gentleman, for bringing this motion to the Assembly.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra) (5.27): We are constantly being warned about the dire consequences for our nation of the ageing of our population. At times it borders on ageism and not valuing the contribution senior members of our community, our elders, have made to our nation throughout their lives—
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
DR BOURKE: What was that, Mr Doszpot?
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Gentleman): Order, members! Address your comments through the chair, Dr Bourke. Mr Doszpot, if you would not interject that would be good.
DR BOURKE: At times it borders on ageism and not valuing the contribution the senior members of our community, our elders, have made to our nation throughout their lives, through their careers and in raising and educating the next generations. The senior members of our community continue to make a great contribution. They are valued members of family, supporting and mentoring young people, and they contribute to a range of groups as diverse as the Country Women’s Association, professional associations, sporting clubs, various disease support groups and, of course, the subject of today’s motion, the men’s shed movement.
Men’s sheds are a grassroots movement, filling an identified need in men’s lives for primarily a post-retirement way of men to get together, support each other, value each other and do things together. More so than women, traditionally men’s lives have revolved around families and careers, with so many of their social relationships built around the workplace and those work networks. After retirement, many men lose these contacts, and the men’s sheds help them rebuild social and support networks away from a workplace.
We know that strong friendships are one of the greatest preventive health measures, in addition to giving up smoking and getting more exercise. Friendship and good fellowship offered by men’s sheds are immeasurable in terms of health benefits. They
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