Andrew Azzopardi

Daylesford Men’s Shed (DMS) is currently in its 16th year of operation in Daylesford and like many community organisations, has seen some of its membership leave due to illness, move to other geographical areas, or unfortunately pass away. However, like the saying, the Shed “just keeps on going, like an old Holden!” DMS provides a safe place for local men to socialise, engage with other men and to learn and share skills.

DMS started from humble beginnings, but is now a set of three interconnected sheds at Victoria Park providing a social, lunch and meeting room and two practical areas for woodwork and metalwork or other activities. It is an independently run member of the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) and adheres to the organisation’s guiding principles for support and guidance.

The main objectives of DMS are:

  • Addressing the issues of men’s physical, emotional, social, spiritual well-being and health within the community,
  • Engaging with men of all ages and abilities as well as other groups of men of the communities in regional, rural, remote and urban areas, and
  • Supporting the social interaction of men in transitional periods such as redundancy, bereavement, retirement, ill health, relocation, divorce or respite care in a non-exclusive, non-judgemental way.

To achieve this DMS aims to:

  • Promote an awareness of men’s health needs, both physical and emotional,
  • Provide a space to allow men to find and maintain companionship and fellowship,
  • Provide a forum for men to exchange ideas, gain experience, to network, and to find support,
  • Collaborate and network with others to provide opportunities for men to learn and participate in their community,
  • Be happy and healthy contributors within the Daylesford community, and
  • Foster relationships based on respect for people of all abilities and cultural backgrounds.

Current weekly activities at the shed include the Monday morning guitar and music get together and the Thursday men’s social and practical activities with lunch included for $10 extra.

On Tuesday afternoons, the members host a U3A Women’s woodwork session.

At present DMS is working with Eddie Wyman, from Hepburn Shire Council, to participate in a display at the upcoming Positive Ageing Expo to be held at Creswick in October.

For information contact: Andrew Azzopardi, Interim Secretary 5348 7792 of visit the Daylesford Men’s Shed website: www.daylesfordmensshed.com

Andrew Azzopardi is a Glenlyon resident and is the Secretary of the Daylesford Men’s Shed.

This article is reprinted from the Glenlyon District News.