WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT OUR SHED
The Esperance Men in Sheds began approximately 3 years ago.
The Esperance region is located on the south east coast of Western Australia offering a unique all year round temperate climate.It has a population of 14,500 people with a busy port shipping iron ore, nickel, and grains to the world and is surrounded by broad acre farms where sheep, cattle and grains are farmed. We have magnificent beaches and wildflowers
The town is sheltered from the southern ocean by the Recherche Archipeligo which consists of 105 islands
It is 476 kilometres east from Albany, 400 kilometres south from Kalgoorlie and just over 700 kilometres from Perth.
Esperance is a destination as its closest neighbours are approximately 200 kilometres in every direction and because of its isolation it is known for taking care of its own.
How did we become established?
Our shed was built on land donated by our Shire on the condition that it would be a facility to serve both men and women of the community. It was funded by Lotterywest and the initial interior was fitted out with the help of 3000 hours of volunteer work. Some of the machinery supplied came from grants from Regional Partnerships and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Our shed is committed to not only men’s health but to the welfare of the entire community. There is a sense of pride and belonging among the members as they share knowledge and skills often passing them onto members of the younger generation
Most of the members have grown up in rural areas involved in farming and associated businesses, or moved to the beautiful location in retirement. Like men, everywhere there is a need to replace the commitments of a working life with rewarding activities and friends. The Shed has proved to be the ideal place where men and women can work on their projects, or help others passing on their trade skills and experience for the benefit of others. Most of all it functions as a meeting place for fellowship and social interaction.
Theshed is open 6 days a week from 7.30am to 5.00pm
Roly Brooksbankis our full time coordinator. Heis a qualified cabinet maker
He is a volunteer and is supported by a group of dedicatedvolunteers who assist in the supervising and running of the shed.
Our membership stands at90ranging in age from 18 to 89 years. We have 18 women members and they are an integral part of our shed.Membership is $50.00 per year and at present there is a $2.00 per hour charge which goes toward the shed operating costs. There are approximately 12 to18 members using the shed per day.
I would like to talk about the Shed’s successes now.
We have had successes in three areas.
1. Our First Area of Success is our Community Projects
Some of these have been;
The Construction of a stage for our Star of the SeaCatholicSchool
Construction of raised garden beds for three of our primary schools
The construction of searing for our Aged Care facility, and some furniture restorations
The construction of a stage for ourLeisure and Gym centre
And
The construction of 14 Marimbas instruments for schools
Wehave also undertaken restoration projects andthe construction of special furniture for individuals. As it is, the local tradesmen are unable to undertake these jobs so we happily oblige charging minimal cost, and receive some funds to help our operating budget.
Another of the Esperance Men in Sheds Special Tasks is Bike Restoration
Many children’s bikes are donated by the community and the shed provides space for two members who undertake repairs and restoration of the bikes. These bikes are then donated to a charity.
2. Our second area of success has been in achieving upgrades to our shed.
A major improvement was the installation of 20 solar panels to help cut our electricity costs.
We achieved this by obtaining grants fromCliffs Natural Resources and a Royalties for Region Grant
Another improvement has been the upgrade of our dust extraction system
3. The third area of success has beenworking with fivespecial groups of people who visit our shed.
Our first group is 30 Students from the Anglican High School
These studentsvisit weekly with their teacher to undertake their woodwork projects which are part of their school curriculum.Students from years 8, 9 and 10 attend.
Our volunteers assist their teacher and the studentsenjoy talking to our members, addressing them by their first names.
The shedprovides two other important experiences for them;
Firstly, they experience a working environment and interact with men and women who know how to work
and
Secondly,they interact with a large cross section of people including people with disabilities who attend. Their teacher has commented that this experience isa valuable real life one for them, teaching them acceptance and expanding their understanding of community.
Their latest project has been to make 6 canoes. These crafts are each 3 metres long and are destined for real water action; the students have had a lot of fun making them
The second group is People with Disabilities-
The shed provides a safe, supportive, accepting environment for several people with disabilities who attend regularly with their carers.
It is an opportunity for them to work on their projects under supervision learning new skillsin a workshop like environment.
Some of these skills are designing projects, using machinery, observing health and safety regulations, as well as socializing with people from the wider community.
We have an informal mentoring relationship for each person.
The shed also has a literacy program in place for some of these people and there has been some steady progress made.
The third group is Young People from the Department of Corrective Services
Several young people and their supervisor from the Department of Corrective Services attend on a limited basis and there seems to be quite some benefit for them.
The department has shown its appreciation by donating a new photocopier/printer to us.
The fourth group is Students with Special Learning Needs
We have two high school students with special needs who attend. Their carer has observed considerable benefits to the students resulting in improved self esteem and skills abilities. They enjoy a practical approach to their learning and their association with the shed environment
The fifth group is Indigenous Young People
A few Indigenous young people have attended the shed for tuition. They are referred by their own care organisation, Wongutha and have benefitted from a semi work place experience whilst making simple pieces of furniture. The shed members have welcomed these young people. It is another opportunity for them to learn new skills and function in a work environment
All our volunteers who assist with these groups of children have a Working with Children Check
Now I would like to touch on some of our Shed’s Challenges.
Our biggest challenge is to generate funds to keep the shed operating, and find funding for the replacement of machinery, and consumables.
As we are providing a considerable service to our community we will continue to apply for assistance and funding wherever possible. Part of this strategy will be presentations to our local shire, local and federal government members.
We estimate that several hundred people directly and indirectly benefit from an association with our shed
What are Our Plans for the Future?
We are making plans to install a spray booth that will be located outside of the shed.
So far, we have the pad prepared and one of our members is presently constructing the booth away from the premises. We expect that it will be ready for use in November this year.
We are exploring the possibility of a separate metal working shed if enough interest is generated.
Thereplacement of some tools is very high on our agenda; this too can only be done when sufficient funds become available. The first item on the list will be a bandsaw band joining machine when funds become available
One of our long-term plans is to develop a community garden beside our shed.
Already we have unofficial approval from our shire to do this. This will require a securely fenced off area. We have begun preparing the surrounds of the shed
in a park like fashion. It is anticipated that we will make raised garden beds from our plentiful timber, and we already have offers of some plants and seeds. One of our lady members is keen to undertake this project.
Our coordinator would like to develop some courses and activities for women.
We are hoping to re activate our seniors computer classes which were most successful until our tutor passed away unexpectedly.
In Conclusion
I would like to finish with a few comments from some of our members when asked what the shed means to them.
“I have a reason to get out of bed every morning,” declared one member, a 78 year old war veteran, “and it keeps me mobile”
“The shed has a good social side: it provides fellowship and stimulation of the mind”
“We can always have a good laugh: it provides a release of tension among good friends,” a 69 year old ex truck driver and farmer commented
“Most of all, I enjoy teaching” reported our coordinator, who is dedicated to helping others
“You can always have a good discussion”
“Great company, and I love making sandwiches, the fellows enjoy them”
“I like the company, and learning, and it keeps me away from the TV”
and lastly, with no disrespect to any of the ladies present another comment was made
(accompanied by a chuckle), “It is a reason to get away from my wife”
This made the men laugh; after all, they were in their shed,
happy and at ease with their friendships, (and the two women present smiled knowingly)
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