Introduction & Conclusions

Introduction

The concept and formation of Men’s Sheds started in Australia, so when Ann and I started to plan our four-month tour of Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to visit as many ‘Sheds’ as feasible was an opportunity not to be missed.
For Australia, I visited the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) website. And, for New Zealand: the ‘MENZSHEDS’ website. Both are very comprehensive, and list all known Sheds by State, or region.
So, venturing forth from Perth, our planned route was to Adelaide (via the ‘Indian – Pacific’), then by train to Melbourne, Sydney, Katoomba, the Gold Coast and Cairns. For New Zealand the route was Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Hokitiki, and Greymouth by car, and then Greymouth, Christchurch, Blemheim, Picton, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland by train! (Ferry across the Cook Strait)
Unfortunately, our itinerary, the Christmas, New Year and Australia Day holidays meant visits to the Sheds in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Katoomba, Cairns and others passed en-route could not be made. However, these omissions were more than made up for by the unexpected finds of other Sheds: some ‘off the beaten track’!
If I had done them all, I am sure that Ann would have been very displeased.
The sheer differences between individual Sheds and how they are managed has to be admired and complimented, and to write detailed accounts of each visit, compare or criticise would fill volumes; is not my intention. Therefore, it is my intention to just give you the flavour, highlight items of specific interest, and provide guidance to other information where each of the ten Sheds can speak for themselves.

Please enjoy my report on my experiences in the ten ‘Sheds Down Under’, my light-hearted banter of the ‘Shedders’ I met, my crazy sci-fi and fantasy ramblings, and the places visited!

Conclusion

General Findings:

The Visits:

All my visits were very enjoyable and rewarding, especially the spectrum found from Sheds in the early stages of development, and right through to the established.  In all instances, it was evident that nothing stood in the way of the members finding many ways to gain funding, sponsorship, sourcing materials and equipment by either erecting a completely new building or refurbishing dilapidated buildings to their respective needs.  That tenacity also applied to ensure that the Shed is kept financially viable and sustainable.

The welcome, the good will and camaraderie given to me was awesome!  The jokes, jibes and micky-taking that I received and gave back was just like the ‘good old days’: before the gross, uncontrolled ‘PC Brigade’ decimated our once vibrant and humorous workplaces into desolate, humourless wildernesses.

As can be seen from the photos; the layouts of the various workshops, installed equipment, stores and mess facilities were obviously dependent on the floor spaces available.  Where a Shed had a number of activities such as metalworking, welding or spraying, these areas were separated from each other, screens provided and dust and fumes extraction systems installed.  In many instances machine tools were installed with adequate space around them to allow the operator to work in a safe environment.  Clearly defined walkways were marked out on the floors, Safety and First Aid Notices displayed.  In a number of Sheds, I even saw defibrillators.

Funding and Support:

It was clearly evident in both countries that The Lions and Rotary Clubs play an important and active part in helping Sheds get set up.  From my recent experiences in the UK, I strongly suggest that the UKMSA approaches the two charitable societies and gain a similar beneficial arrangement.

Working Safely:

It is without a doubt that working safely is paramount.

However, Sheds are workplaces where activities such as wood working and metalworking, require the operation of machines in a working environment where the risks of injury have to be mitigated or removed as inclusive of duty of care.

It was pleasing to find that the enforcement of members to be accredited and recorded as being competent to operate hand, power tools and machinery is followed, tailored to the resources available at the Shed.  It was also evident that many were employing a ‘coloured dot’ competence rating method.  I found that the rating charts were displayed on the Notice Boards, and the coloured dots as rated to the respective competences were displayed on the name badges.

We’ve all made it safely through our working lives without injury.  So, let us adhere to the same safety principles to keep us healthy and safe through our senior years as we enjoy the activities and companionship that Sheds provide.

Let us not become victims of complacency.

There are other findings from both countries that are of specific interest, these being:

Specific Findings from Australia:

• The AMSA.

There are 1027 Sheds in Australia who are all members of the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA).

AMSA has regular contact with the majority of the Sheds and from time to time runs regional Shed gatherings.  However, because of the size of Australia it is impossible for one national organisation to be in contact with every Shed.  Therefore, State Associations have been formed and these in turn have created Zones with a co-ordinator assigned to the Sheds within his respective Zone.  The State Association then reports back to the AMSA Board through their relevant Director of which Len Thompson is one of nine who make up the AMSA Board.

The new Zone concept has pretty much replaced the old ‘Cluster Groups’.

The AMSA ‘recognises a Men’s Shed as any community-based, non-profit, non-commercial organisation that is accessible to all men and whose primary activity is the provision of a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace, in their own time, and in the company of other men’.

The AMSA website is comprehensive and easy to use, it can be found at http://www.mensshed.org

The AMSA Members’ Handbook is also readily available.

I strongly advise all of you to read:

• Aims & Objectives. (page 7)
• Sponsors and Supporters. (page 15)
• Funding. (page 15)
• Insurance. (page 24). Especially the Section entitled. Activities of a Shed.

• Funding:

In the UK there appears to be a misunderstanding of how the AMSA is funded by the Federal Government.  To clarify, I quote the statement given on page 15 of the handbook: “In 2010 the AMSA entered into its first Funding Agreement with the Department of Health (and Ageing).  Funding is allocated for two distinct components: AMSA service delivery and direct financial assistance to Men’s Sheds through the National Shed Development Programme.  This programme currently distributes an amount of AU$800,000 p.a. to all Sheds through a competitive grants programme.

• Public Liability Insurance:

The guidance given in the Handbook clearly states: “The following information is of a general nature and does not take into account your own personal needs or particular objectives.  We recommend you review the details of cover and policy wordings to make sure the programme is right for you and your Men’s Shed”.  And: “you should consider obtaining your own financial product advice about insurance products and its suitability to your individual needs from an appropriately qualified Financial Services Advisor”.

Whether in Australia or the UK, this advice and guidance is common sense!

Specific Findings from New Zealand:

• Publications: The NZ and Australian Sheds Associations work together, and during one of my visits I was given a professionally printed magazine entitled: ‘The Shed. Where dreams are made real’. It is published on a regular basis.  It is full of interesting projects that members are making and is available on line for a subscription fee. The website is http://www.theshedmag.co.nz

• Public Liability Insurance: I was advised to look up information on the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Very interesting information.  ACC is a New Zealand Crown entity responsible for administering the country’s universal no-fault accidental injury scheme.  The scheme provides financial compensation and support to citizens, residents, and temporary visitors who have suffered personal injuries.  There might be information here that could help with our problems getting suitable, and comprehensive PLI cover.

• Fantastic Tales:  Of late, ‘The Lands of the Long White Cloud’ has been the setting for many fantasy movies, especially The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings trilogies, so we had to go and visit Hobbiton.  Believe it or not, it is real!  Ann and I just could not believe what we saw!

But there were no Hobbits.  The Tour Guide told us that Hobbits don’t like hordes of tourists visiting their village so they buzz off down to the South Island where some even get part-time jobs as models for local groups that make Garden Gnomes.

It was also disappointing to see that there was not a ‘Hobbiton Menzshed’.

Personal Opinion:

Every Shed I visited was totally different to any other, not only in the premises, but in the way problems and obstacles are managed and solved.  However, it became clearly evident that the drive to be successful and sustainable was the only common thread.

So, I asked myself: “What are the prime factors behind the drive for success and sustainability?”

I deduced from all the many conversations and all that I saw, the following five factors:

• Tenacity
• Comprehensive and effective management of resources
• Ability to negotiate effectively with local councils and other agencies
• Detailed planning and scheduling of community works
• Following the Shed ethos: respecting others by being inclusive and considerate.

I am sure you all agree.

Epilogue:

I thank all the Secretaries and Chairmen who have willingly contributed to ensure that what has been recorded is correct.

In the supposed words of Queen Victoria’s reply when asked about her relationship with Prince Albert: “It gives me great pleasure” – to have shared with you my thoughts and findings of these wonderful experiences, and I sincerely wish that they be used effectively to open dialogue that will help us all in the UK Men’s Shed Association ensure that – “When Sheds thrive, they change lives!”

The roads go ever on!

Footnote:  A quiz for all you Wellington and Auckland ‘Shedders’ to figure out!  Did Victoria mount Albert; or, did Albert mount Victoria?