Katoomba Mens Shed

The Katoomba Men’s Shed is a not for profit community organisation that promotes the health and well being of men by providing opportunities for men to share time together, swap yarns and work together on community or personal projects. The Katoomba Men’s Shed is a not for profit community organisation that promotes the health and wellbeing of men by providing opportunities for men to share time t

ogether, swap yarns and work together on community or personal projects. We are particularly aware of the social isolation and the boredom that often leads to depression when men experience a change of circumstances such as ceasing work. The Men’s Shed provides a place where men can be in the company of other men. There is good evidence that just belonging to a community organisation can be a big help. Experience also shows that men are more likely to talk through their problems in this sort of environment. Friendship, loyalty and camaraderie are highly valued in Men’s Sheds around the world, where shedders are offered with a place to belong and contribute with purpose. Katoomba Men’s Shed provides for a wide range of activities including computers, electronics, gardening and a range of workshop-based hobbies. It also provides opportunities for more passive activities such as a chat with other men, a game of cards or reading a book from the in-house exchange library. The activity program is flexible and can be easily adapted to cater for new interests, particularly when a member is prepared to share their personal skills and experience to lead a new activity. There were concerns about men's health, but there was little encouragement in Australian culture for men to meet and talk over their issues. However, men were comfortable with the concept of the backyard shed, where many would go to their own backyard shed on a regular basis to potter about and work on projects. So the concept was born of a community-based ‘shed’ as a place where men could go to meet other men, socialise and possibly work on projects. Established in 2005, the Katoomba Men's Shed is based at the Katoomba Showground in a building that has served as a light horse stables, show pavilion and trotting stables. The men put in many hours of volunteered work to convert the stables into a functioning Men's Shed. Generous donations and a few strategic purchases have established a very functional workshop, a well-equipped computer laboratory and comfortable relaxation and meeting spaces. It now operates 4 days each week and boasts a healthy membership. The Katoomba Men’s Shed is an independent and self-funded organisation affiliated with the Australian Men’s Shed Association.