Starting a Shed

Men’s Sheds offer various activities and projects based on the skills and interests of their members. These include:

Woodworking

• Making wooden toys, bird feeders, animal enclosures, cheese boards, cutting boards, and toolboxes.
• Repairing kitchen tables, chairs, cabinets, outdoor seating, bookcases, blanket boxes, and more.
• Working with a lathe to produce pens, bowls, lamp stands, etc.
• Constructing garden beds for schools and community groups.

Metalworking

• Making or repairing metal items such as animal enclosures, letterboxes, garden hangers, gates, trailers, etc.
• Producing metal spindles or parts on a lathe.
• Vehicle repairs or restorations.

Food Preparation

• Catering at fundraising events such as Bunnings BBQs.
• Preparing daily or weekly meals for shed attendees.
• Organising shed events or functions like AGMs, Mother’s Day, and Christmas breakups.

Painting

• Landscape painting.

Social Activities

• Snooker or 8-ball.
• Card games.
• Movie days.
• Social excursions to places of interest.
• Member nights or days.

Health Activities

• Walking groups.
• Cycling groups.
• Exercise groups.
• Health information talks

Men’s Sheds in Victoria vary in size, with some having as few as five or six members, while others have nearly 400 members. On average, a shed in Victoria has around 50 members. Shed buildings range from basic single-car garages to purpose-built workshops of 600m². The average new shed today is about 12m x 20m or 240m², typically featuring disability access, a kitchen/meals area, an office, a computer room, woodworking and metalworking areas, and a materials storage area.

When the VMSA was incorporated in 2007, there were 30 sheds operating in Victoria. Today, there are 330 sheds with an additional 25 in startup mode. Each year, around 20-25 new sheds are established. Membership has grown from 1,200 in 2007 to nearly 17,000 by mid-2018, with many sheds doubling their numbers within two years.

Of the 330 sheds in Victoria, 185 are Incorporated Associations run by a Committee of Management elected by the shed members. These committees handle the day-to-day operations, finances, insurance, policies, and fundraising activities. The remaining 140 sheds are auspiced by other organisations, such as neighbourhood or community houses, community health services, churches, residents’ associations, progress associations, hospitals, Lions or Rotary Clubs, or local councils.

Building Stage

Funding for building or refurbishing a men’s shed can come from:

• Local council or shire funding.
• State Government funding.
• Federal Government funding.
• Donations from community groups.
• Donations from philanthropic organisations.
• Shed fundraising activities.

Operational

Men’s Sheds generally do not receive operational funding and must cover day-to-day expenses through their own income sources, such as:

• Membership fees.
• Daily attendance fees.
• Sale of food or drinks to members.
• Fundraising activities.
• Sale of surplus donated equipment.
• Sale of items made at the shed.
• Donations received.

A Men’s Shed is:

• A community-owned and operated facility.
• A safe and friendly place for men of all ages to meet and socialise.
• A venue for participating in meaningful projects at their own pace.
• A place to pass on skills to others and learn new skills.
• A means to improve health and wellbeing, reducing social isolation, loneliness, and depression.
• A community where men can make new friends and build lasting friendships.

What a Men’s Shed is Not

A Men’s Shed is not:

• A formal training program, but you may gain new knowledge and skills.
• A sports club, but you could play sports.
• A health program, but your health and wellbeing may improve.
• An information service, but you can ask for info if you need it.
• A service for men, but activities organised by men.
• A funded service, but it does receive grants and donations.