Grenfell Men's shed and picnic area

Grenfell Men's shed and picnic area

Garden and Rail Carriage at the Grenfell Shed

Garden and Rail Carriage at the Grenfell Shed

Mark Thurtell's Bushranger display

Mark Thurtell's Bushranger display
Bushranger historian Mark Thurtell displaying Bushranger artefacts at a social evening in the railway carriage at the Grenfell Shed

A member of the independant men's shed alliance

The Shed for men concept is an exciting new direction in confronting many of the issues relating to men in today’s society. In many cases men see their role in general as undefined, this is relevant as men face the changes life brings. Early intervention is essential if we are to curb the rate of depression, violence and suicide, affecting men of all ages.

The concept used at the Grenfell Shed includes:
1. Encouraging men to socialize in a non threatening environment.
2. Assisting men to be active and creative. “When one is creative through the hand, perceptions can change in the mind”. (L.W.)
3. We seek to create an atmosphere of - we are mates - and when men come together maybe to have a cuppa, take part in a project or just yarn, the potential is there for mentoring, encouraging and sharing skills with each other.

The concept of the Grenfell Shed originating in 1987 is enabling men, from many social and ethnic backgrounds to mix and learn. It’s a place for men of all ages getting together, sharing fellowship and discovering the satisfaction of, creation through the hands, and in turn changing the perception of the Mind (LW)

An issue of great concern in our society today, is the decline in the art of communication, this is very prevalent in many community groups as they struggle with falling memberships. In many community organizations, when analysed, are held together with hard working and ageing members.
Many younger members of the population are not seen joining community groups and organizations, but are drawn towards electronic mediums of entertainment and communication, defaulting on the need of verbal and physical interaction.

At the Grenfell Shed for men, we are providing an attraction for the youth of our community to become involved. Interacting programs, by which younger men become interested in other and /or older men’s interests, e.g., model steam, metal sculpturing, woodwork, just to name a few.
Then as mentioned above, changing the perception we can have of the world around us, our part in it, and by using our hands, thus achieving another level of communication.
The success of working with the men in mentoring programs where they can bounce idea’s and life’s experiences off each other, has proved the worth of the Shed.
For some years the Shed has been involved with academically challenged school boys. Some of our greatest achievements have been in this aspect of our work.

Men in Respite Care come to the Shed for social interaction. Thus the Shed benefits the local community as living skills are shared by the men participating in the life of this Shed.
We urge you to consider this program with a degree of urgency, as the need surely exists right now and can only escalate as time moves on. This program may be tailored to suit any community’s individual need and can encompass any direction your community desires be it in Australia, Spain, France, USA or anywhere else....21/7/2008

Alliance sheds:
Boorowa Men's Den
Canowindra Men's Shed
Cowra Men's Shed
Cootamundra Shed for Men
Forbes Men's Shed
Grenfell Men's Shed
Griffith Men's Shed
Junee Men's Shed
Parkes Men's Shed
Temora Men's Shed
Young Men's Shed
Lake Cargelligo & District Men's Shed