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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
PROJECTS ABOUND at EDEN MEN'S SHED
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.
With this in mind, the community of Eden, and its surrounding districts, be they villages, towns or otherwise, continually come to our Shed requesting rep[airs to furniture, household items, and a host of other goods, to be repaired. Some have said that their items were returned to them in better shape than they were when they acquired them. We have even 're-engineered' (for want of a better word here) vintage items to their former glory - now that's saying something.
We are also asked to create outside furniture for pre-schools and kindergartens --- the latest being a mud-kitchen for Playability, Eden. The project is a picnic setting for the Kindergarten kiddies at Towamba.
Our last big persons project were the 10 benches that have been placed around the Eden Wharf Precinct. These were commissioned by the Eden Port Authority, using reclaimed timber from the old finger wharf. Eden Men's Shed were required to design, create and install the benches prior to the commencement of the 2023-2024 cruise season. Since the benches have been installed there has been a steady stream of locals and visitors alike making use of them.
We look forward to receiving these requests .... makes the time go faster when we undertake the commissions/
We are always working at the Shed! However, none of us is being paid!
We continually create things far sale to pay for the upkeep of the Shed, and to ensure we continue to operate so that men in Eden, and is surrounding districts, have a safe place to be. We will continue to provide a place for mateship and camaraderie, a facility for men to come together, shoulder to shoulder, to share experiences, have a laugh or share a yarn or 2 over a cuppa and a biscuit or 4. Or, if so desired, have someone to talk to. There are age limits to join, although tyhe minimum age is 18. Men do not have to be retired or OLD as some think.
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).
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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