After 14 years of bringing local men together, the Gosnells Community Men’s Shed is looking to attract a younger generation to help keep its activities and community work going.
The Shed, which celebrated its 14th anniversary in July, has 164 members, but about half are aged between 70 and 80.
Its leaders say encouraging younger men, including those still working, to join is important to the organisation’s future.
Shed secretary Phil Measday said membership had remained relatively steady at around 160 in recent years, despite losing about 20 members annually through ageing, relocation and changes in personal circumstances.
“We need younger people coming forward,” he said.
“We’re just looking at the moment at putting more effort into getting the guy who’s retired at 65, maybe a guy who’s retired a bit earlier.”
The Shed has introduced Saturday morning sessions to accommodate working men and is considering extending its weekend opening hours.
Geoff Wiltshire, a committee member of the shed, said fly-in, fly-out workers were another group the organisation hoped to reach, particularly those who might benefit from regular social contact.
He said many men struggled to find new routines and friendships after leaving the workforce.
“A lot of men when they retire, they don’t have a plan,” he said.
“They’ve worked 40, 50 years, and then they get to 66, 67, or whatever the retirement age is. What am I going to do with myself?”
He said friendships built through work could disappear after retirement, leaving some men feeling isolated.
Geoff said one of the challenges was changing the perception that men’s sheds were mainly workshops for older, retired men.
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, Gosnells Shed, that’ll be a workshop,’ and we’re a lot more than just a workshop,” he said.
“It’s a little community, really, that works for the community. That’s why we called it the Gosnells Community Men’s Shed.”
The organisation offers activities ranging from woodworking and metalworking to music, photography, yoga, table tennis, card games and community projects.
Chairman of the shed, Geoff Bowra, said the variety allowed members to share skills gained from different careers and learn from one another.
He said friendship was equally important, with some members visiting simply to have coffee and a conversation.
Every morning at 10am, members gather for morning tea, regardless of whether they are taking part in other activities.
Phil said there was no pressure to join an activity.
“If you just want to come down for morning tea, have a chat, have a cup of tea and go home, fine,” he said.
“Some do that, and they’ve had their social bit for the day.”
The Shed also has a welfare officer who checks on members and organises health talks covering topics such as mental health, prostate cancer and online scams.
Geoff said members were encouraged to look out for one another and take an interest in how others were coping.
The Shed began in July 2012 with an old house surrounded by bushland on a former citrus orchard.
More than $1 million in grants has since helped develop its facilities, including woodworking and metalworking workshops, meeting rooms and recreational areas.
The organisation is run entirely by volunteers, with members contributing to maintenance, fundraising and projects for local schools, residents and community groups.
Recent work has included playground equipment, furniture and repairs, while the Shed’s musicians also entertain residents from nearby Amaroo.
For the future, Geoff said he hoped the Shed would develop stronger partnerships with other community organisations and continue offering men opportunities to contribute.
Phil said attracting younger members would be important to keeping those activities going in the years ahead.
The Shed welcomes men aged 18 and over, with annual membership costing $100. Prospective members can visit up to three times before deciding whether to join.
Geoff encouraged men who were unsure about joining to come down, have a coffee and see what the Shed had to offer.
