BUSSELTON MENS SHED Brought to you by a

BUSSELTON MEN’S SHED Brought to you by a collaboration of Bess home & community care Inc. Rotary Club of Busselton Geographe Bay Busselton Branch of Returned Services League

In the beginning……. . • Bess home & community care wanted to create a Men’s Shed Busselton • Rotary Club was working on a Community Men’s Shed project • RSL was trying to create a Men’s Shed

My role in the start up • I spoke with my employer about the need amongst male clients for meaningful social activities, and the lack thereof • Talked with Rotary and RSL to find out where they were at with their projects • Bringing in key stakeholders was important • Research on AMSA, Insurance, City of Busselton requirements

A partnership began… • November 2010 a community meeting was held, bringing all interested parties together to progress the creation of a Men’s Shed. • Floated the idea that Bess could be the governing body, and a Shed Management Committee be formed • A Memorandum of Understanding was developed between the stakeholders.

How to start? ? • Several sites had previously been investigated and deemed not suitable. • I have extensive local networks across community groups, private business and government departments, I helped in the search for a place to start Men’s Shed. • Intework South West kindly offered free use of their shed so Men’s Shed could begin. • 7 August 2012 the Men’s Shed opened

Membership • 82 members in the first year. • Focus is on mateship, cuppa and a yarn. Making things is optional. • Men catching up with long lost friends, making new friends, sharing a laugh • Sharing skills – amazing life skills, vintage occupations, modern trends, a mix of men

“Don’t womanise the Shed” • I only visit the Shed weekly for a short time • My arrival at the Shed is usually announced as “Ducks on the Pond!” • Visiting the Shed, gives me a chance to monitor how things are going, provide support where needed, without interfering with the daily activities. Its man space • Assist with enquiries re: health services

Collecting data • To get funding, establish documented need by the community for a Men’s Shed • Developed a simple form to collect data on age groups, isolation, disabilities, skill sets, experience, cultural background, war service • Veteran’s Affairs want to find the 50% of veteran’s that do not access support

Mind mapping • A useful tool to see where and how your Shed contributes to your community • There are free online mind mapping websites or you can create a handwritten mind map

AMSA PROJECT PARTNERS Bess HACC WAMSA Rotary Club . PEAK BODIES Busselton RSL Men’s Sheds in Capel Donnybrook Dunsborough Coaramup Augusta Bunbury Albany Manjimup Koorda Mental Health Richmond Fellowship LAMP Inc One Life Suicide Prevention Health & Wellbeing Regional Men’s Health Connect Hearing Prostate Cancer Support Group Anglicare Financial Counselling Busselton Men’s Shed Education Geographe Education Support Edith Cowan University Jobs SW – First Click Program Seniors Busnet Computer Club Possum Centre Support for People with Disabilities Intework SW Disabled Surfing SW Sail Into Life Program Activ Funding Lotterywest City of Busselton Royalties for Regions Sponsorship from Business Community Intework SW * Bunnings * Mitre 10 * Holcim Concrete *Safe-Tac Welding*Brumbies Bakery*Peter’s Browns*Spirit Radio* Urban Café* Countrywide Sheds *Duet Design On-Q Project Management * B Masters Environmental Consultant *Amelia Park *Geographe Butchering Co* APH Cartage * Mazure Electrical* St Mary’s Op Shop *Bendigo Bank *Mc. Kenzie Plumbing And many more Aged Care Bess HACC Cape Care Southern Cross Care Uniting Community Care Senior Citizens Centre

Funding • 2013 Application to Royalties for Regions…. . received positively but unsuccessful in funding • Lotterywest invited to 1 st Anniversary to see the good work Men’s Shed was achieving • 2014 Application to Lotterywest to build a purpose built facility in Roe Terrace, total cost of to exceed $1 million, more than half of which has been donated in kind by our local community.

To be or not to be…. • HACC or not? ? ? • After I investigated, it was seen as being too restrictive as men would have to be HACC eligible and undergo assessment • The Shed is auspiced by Bess under its private arm • Working long term towards independence

Project Officer • Bess being the Auspicing body, my role as Project Officer, carries responsibilities of how the Shed fits under Bess Management, for mutual benefit of both. • Responsible for Membership and Equipment Register, Agendas & Minutes, newsletters, correspondence, grant writing, ensuring acquittals are completed. Developed a 3 year business plan.

• Facilitate the OSH Induction procedure in collaboration with key Shed Members & Committee • Assist with guidance on Policies • Public Speaking to community groups • Officially work 1 day per week for Men’s Shed • Often, as many others do, contribute voluntarily • Am the only female financial member

Contact for Men’s Shed • Share the task of handling enquiries about men’s shed. • Sometimes individuals wanting cheap labour. • Enquiries from other organizations wanting to use men’s shed for their client’s • Not always appropriate, and explain to them why.

Donations of Equipment • Start a Men’s Shed, people start offering to donate tools, equipment, timber and hardware • But we’ve got no room…or have we? • I offered the use of my 4 bay farm shed …please leave room for my car • might have to build a lean-to……. for the car!!

Financials • My main employer is Bess • The Men’s Shed currently pays $750 per month to Bess • Part of reimbursement of my wages for 1 day per week, plus the time spent by our Finance Officer. • It also pays for a percentage of office costs, phone, internet, photocopying, supplies, auditing fees.

Community Networks • I continue to promote the men’s shed amongst community groups as well as Bess client base. • Look for opportunities for Men’s Shed to make things for community groups, or assist on volunteer projects. • Also to link other community groups to each other and beneficial opportunities.

Shed Income • Various community projects some bringing in $2, 000 -$3, 000, others $50 to $300. • Selling buckets for fishing, horse feeders • Making soap racks out of recycled pine – an ongoing contract • Market Days selling items made at Shed • Making toy templates for Bunnings special events

Assembled Cages for Local Wildlife Care Group

Succession Planning • Our Committee comprises reps from the 3 groups, plus members of the shed • Health issues have impacted greatly on several of the Committee, Cancer and other serious illness. Sadly one of our key members passed away from Asbestos disease. • To see the dream become reality and continue on, it is important to seek out those who support the venture and to also encourage members to contribute by being on the Committee/s.

Support from Women • There is a great deal of support for Men’s Sheds by women • They encourage their husbands to go to Sheds, not to get rid of them, but because they love them. • Certain skill sets are needed to write grants and do admin work. • Some men have those skill sets, but when they come to the Shed they want to relax and enjoy themselves, not pick up the reins from a job or a Committee they just left.

• If someone offers support for your shed, look at what you need to build your shed and grow it into the future. • It may just be a woman who has those skills and is happy to help…. • But don’t let her “Womanise your Shed!”

• Continue to promote Men’s Shed as a positive cog in the community wheel.