11
October
2018
|
08:53
Australia/Melbourne

Men's Shed open for business

World Mental Health Day was especially significant for members of the Kyneton Men’s Shed group as they celebrated the opening of their new shed at Bupa's Kyneton home.

The Victorian Minister for Families, Children and Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos was on hand to do the honours with local MP Mary-Anne Thomas, KMS President John ‘Mitch’ Mitchell OAM and Bupa representatives.

When the lease on the previous shed ran out the future of the Kyneton shed was in doubt, Bupa stepped in with a cash donation and land at its home to build a new shed. A further donation of $60,000 from the Victorian State Government ensured its viability.

Bupa has had a long relationship with the organisation in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria. Bupa Woodend has had its own Men’s Shed for the past 5 years.

The Men’s Shed movement is one of Australia’s most successful mental health programs for older people. Men’s Sheds aim to address social isolation, health and well-being.

From 200 sheds in 2005, it’s grown to having close to one thousand registered sheds today.

Men’s Sheds give purpose to men who are seeking it, and give back to the community at the same time.

As just a few examples, the Kyneton Shed has assisted Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Primary School to assemble and fix chairs for the students.

The members also teamed up with the Kyneton Historical Society to handcraft compost bins.

A large portion of the residents at Bupa Kyneton are men.

The opening of the shed offers a safe and busy environment where they can find many of the things they used to enjoy in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship.