Men’s Sheds upgrades completed in New England region
Men in the New England region now have more space to meet up and work on community projects after the completion of important upgrades to the men’s shed facilities in Tamworth and Manilla.
Crown Lands, part of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), provided $180,500 for a two-bay extension of the Tamworth Community Men’s Shed.
The extension has increased Tamworth Community Men’s Shed capacity by 66 per cent, allowing visitors ample room to comfortably complete projects safely. The increased capacity will ensure a welcoming, modern and inclusive meeting place to make friends, work on projects and learn skills.
The Tamworth Community Men’s Shed provides a space for members to repair and restore items for the local community including rocking horses, building of pallet furniture, and repair of chairs, tables and other furniture. There is also a section dedicated to electrical machinery, and for members to complete metal repair projects.
$2,000 was also provided to Manilla Men’s Shed to help it construct four steel doors and roofing from its shed to a storage container.
The funding for the men’s sheds was part of $1.62 million previously allocated statewide for improvements to more than 20 men’s sheds.
Men’s sheds are an important initiative that aim to improve community health and wellbeing by bringing people together in a constructive setting, and by doing so they help address social isolation and boost mental health. Across NSW there are 377 official men’s sheds with about 20,000 members.
Tamworth Community Men’s Shed Treasurer Les Thurkettle said:
“The upgrade has made a huge difference. Before we didn’t have enough room for our members to work safely because electrical equipment was too close and things were really crowded, so we desperately needed the extra space.
“Our members span a wide variety of ages, with the oldest being around 85. The men’s shed in Tamworth provides a no-judgement space for men of all ages to build friendships and camaraderie, which is good for mental health, and these improvements will ensure more people can pop by and enjoy our facility.”
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“Men’s shed facilities like the ones in Tamworth and Manilla provide men from all walks of life a friendly, welcoming space to work on community projects and have a yarn and a cuppa with mates, with the overarching goal to promote health and well-being.”
“The NSW Government is focused on building better communities. Crown land is set aside for the people of NSW to support everything from men’s sheds to showgrounds, parks, sporting facilities, community halls, walking tracks and more, creating thriving and sustainable communities.”