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Health and Wellbeing Community at the Eden Men’s Shed Inc.
The changing environment in Eden regarding employment, the possibility of long-term unemployment, and some life changing moments all led to a few local men to reassess their lives. They looked for a different ways to handle the stresses of the past and present and the future.
Before we go on, a quote from Barry Golding's book "The Men's Shed Movement; The Company of Men" (pages 403 and 404) says it all:-
"... men's sheds are in part about older men working to build a more human and democratic society ... affirming older men as learners and active beings ... bringing together existing knowledge, creating new knowledge, creating spaces of dialogue and participation and the construction of popular power ..." with this quoted from a leaflet produced by Newstead Men's Shed, Victoria, "... 'Having fun making stuff, fixing stuff, talking about stuff or just doing nothing together ...' It's about enjoying and benefiting from the Company of Men."
Community, Mateship & Activity
Eden Men’s Shed is a place where all men, regardless of their age, skillset, or ability levels, can get involved in a health and wellbeing. Focussed on the community it is a hub of thriving activity, of mateship and camaraderie. A place rewarding knowledge through sharing while working on all sorts of projects, or just chatting, joking or having a yarn over a cuppa the place has uplifted the outlook of the local men in the community, especially those who live alone.
There is a common perception that you have to be skilled at wood or metal work and that you have to do something. This is a false perception - yes, we do have blokes that do wood and metal work, but we have others who play pool or sit and chat. Nothing is compulsory - we try to cater to all, and if we do not have it or do it we will do our best to accommodate you - within reason of course.
We Build Our Community Together
ABOUT US
The Shed was established in 2007 with the aim to provide a place where men could meet, exchange ideas and views, enjoy the fellowship of other men, exchange skills and experiences, and provide support for each other if the need became necessary.
There are a lots of activities that happen to take place in the Men’s Shed in Eden, not just woodwork and metalwork, some blokes come down to sit around and chat or play pool (and maybe cook if the mood takes them, there) .
We meet each week at 21A Maling Street, Eden, on Tuesday - on hold at present due to recurring COVID19 outbreaks but can restart if there are enough participants to do so - for games only (pool/8 ball etc. and there is an annual pool competition within the Shed then Wednesday and Friday for the same plus a wider range of activities. Hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon.
We have a minimal yearly 'annual' fee which varies from year to year that members pay - this covers our insurance in case of mishaps.
A morning tea is produced on Wednesday and Friday. There is a $4.00 charge for this. The amount varies on special functions days, such as the last Friday of the month, where the charge is $12.00 and includes a hot lunch. Eden Men's Shed is self funding. As we have NO sponsoring organisations or government bodies we need to fund operating costs, as well as looking to financing the future and in regards to any unforeseen circumstances.
Nothing is compulsory therefore no demands are placed on the activities of members – you are free to choose what activities you wish to engage in, or not. Alternatively you may want to sit and have a yarn – the choice is yours. and we are open to all and try to cater to those who want to undertake other activities such as gardening or cooking (we have a fully functional kitchen).
For our men’s health and empowerment within the community to continue to grow in Eden we make use of donated materials and other forms of donations to enable us to keep the Shed going. A caravan, or more appropriately a large trailer, which houses (and stores donated items that we sell) products produced by the Eden Men's Shed, was donated by the Forestry Corporation of NSW. The rear and one side wall of the caravan holds chopping boards, letter boxes, bird feeders and a host of other items produced ready for sale.
Most items are already on display at, and are sold by Art on Imlay and a few at the Eden Visitor Information Centre at the wharf, and at the Shed itself, and at times items have been created/custom made to order.
DONATIONS
If you feel the need, the want, or the necessity, donations of any type (NOT clothing, manchester, bedding etc.) can be made directly to the Shed, or by contacting us via email or through our facebook group page (both of which are listed below).
See testimonials below
SPECIAL EVENT
Well folks ... the second Far South Coast Men's Health Muster was held on 19 March 2023 at Club Sapphire, Main Street, Merimbula, and was again hosted by Eden Men's Shed Inc.
The Muster was attended by some 60+ persons ... predominantly men ... and was widely toted as being better than the 2023 Muster.
There were around 12 stalls manned (or womaned ... my joke) by a variety of organisations ranging from talk2mebro, the Prostate Cancer Support Group, the Eden Access Centre, Meridian Aged Services amongst others.
Young Heidi Sharples again provided the entertainment for the day, and what a wonderful job she did!
Speakers were from varying backgrounds will be attending - including Fred Purcell - talk2mebro, Ed Chenery - Prostate Cancer Support Group , Cherie Mercado on exercising, and Kylie Grey extolling the virtues of seeking assistance, both financial (as in discounts) and otherwise, with Service NSW.
The day was another great success for us at Eden Men's Shed, with meeting up with old friends from the last Muster and connect with some new ones. Even our new members made some new acquaintances.
Seeking information was the name of the game again this year, and there certainly was not a shortage of that.
I must give a big thank you to Beth from the Australian Men's Shed Association. Beth is again provided us with more of her valuable assistance and guidance.
As for me ... well I think my attempts to make the day worthwhile to all attendees, be they the audience, speakers or information stall holders seemed to have paid off.
As for next year .... who knows.
Two other Men's Sheds have advised that they may be interested in hosting a Far South Coast Men's Health Muster in 2025.
I will keep you all posted as this progresses ... but NO promises mind.
UPCOMING EVENTS
GARAGE SALE
21A Maling Street, EDEN
Saturday 30 March 2024
We are having a clear out due to insufficient space for storage. Lots of items will be on sale.
A health and wellbeing community at the Men’s Shed Eden
The changing environment in Eden via employment, and the possibility of long-term unemployment and life changing times. This is especially true for those with various types of handicaps or illness. We encourage all blokes (and their respective carers if they need one), regardless, to join in and share with us in our endeavours, or something that they may want to do themselves (with some help) or just by having a cuppa and a chat. No one need miss out in being in the company of men, doing things shoulder to shoulder (borrowed from Barry Golding's books).
Photo at left - special needs Daniel and his carer Shane
There are a lot of activities that take place in Eden Men’s Shed, not just woodwork and metalwork: - some blokes come down to sit around and chat or play pool.
Nothing is compulsory and we are open to all and will endeavour to cater to those who want to undertake other activities such as gardening or cooking, we are even finding new ways to occupy minds and 'nervous' fingers (the new fad of colouring in books
&
pencils are on offer and provided now!). There is no limit to what age a man can join - he can be anywhere between 18 and 118 years of age - or older, there is NO age preference. All you need to is a mindset to have a healthy and safe outlook on life, be able to make friends and enjoy life and have a cuppa or 3. There is absolutely no commitment to do anything if you do not desire to do so - just enjoy yourself. For our men’s health community to continue to grow in Eden we make use of materials and donations, like a donated caravan that is full of items ready for sale to keep the Shed going.
Lastly, Barry Golding states in his 2021 book "Shoulder to Shoulder; Broadening The Men's Shed Movement" (page 13):-
"... They come and go as they please, participate in the activities (or not). Sometime it's just about having a cuppa or company ... they are not called carpentry sheds or garden sheds or social sheds or health sheds, but all of those things (and many more are possible) ... it is a community identity tied to a neighbourhood or locality."
TESTIMONIALS
Beverly W. and Vivien H., Eden VIEW (Voice Interests and Education of Women), letter dated 12/08/22
"... Eden VIEW Club would like to express our eternal thanks to Eden Men's Shed. Their support of our Club over many years has always been offered freely and generously ... The Men's Shed has consistently provided beautifully hand-crafted timber products from their workshop for our raffles and fundraising activities."
Lindy P., Dementia Australia, letter dated 16/08/22
"... I have had the experience of attending Eden Men's Shed to accompany a client who is living with dementia in the Eden Community. My client and myself found the members to be welcoming, generous and supportive. My client and I were provided with assistance to participate in activities within the shed."
Caroline J. Eden Voice facebook group page 3/9/22
"Big shout out to the Eden Men's Shed for fixing up once wobbly (in fact close to falling apart) very old pine table - she's good for the next 100 years now!"
Lois M. Eden Voice facebook group page 7/9/22
"Big Thank you to the Eden Mens Shed for the great hand railing they manufactured for me"
Lois M. Eden Voice facebook group page 12/12/22
"Great free standing garden hose holders made by Eden Men's Shed. Just what I wanted. many thanks."
Bev Walker, President, Eden VIEW Club letter dated 5 August 2023
"The members of Eden VIEW Club wish to thank you for your generous donation of timber products for the Club's raffles. We greatly appreciate
your ongoing support of our Club."
Business Hours
- Mon, Tue, Thu
- Closed
- Wed, Fri
- -
- Sat - Sun
- Closed
Address
21A Maling Street, Eden
2551, NSW
Contact
0418 600 229 or 0492 892 516
Last updated by Eden Men's Shed Inc. March 2024