The Shed holds an important place in Australian culture. It is a reservoir of memories, experiences, a place to share skills and to socialise. However, many retired people have now had to downsize often resulting in the man’s personal shed being lost. Also, working on your own can be lonely, and it is well known that good health is based on many factors including having social relationships, being active, and feeling productive and valuable to society.

So the idea of a Community Shed was born and the Lane Cove Community Men’s Shed was set up to meet these needs and to provide a substitute space for “shed-less blokes”.

In a Community Shed men can share a wide range of tools, still pursue their interests in pastimes and hobbies, spend time with others blokes of similar interests, learn new skills, use tools for the first time—or keep old skills honed and productive. Here men also feel useful by contributing to community needs— whilst also creating projects of personal interest and expertise. As well as encouraging new friendships the Men’s Shed also provides access to other networks for men including local activities and men’s health information.

“Men’s Sheds are not just fixing furniture and building toys, they are fixing men and building communities.”