The idea of a Men's Shed for the men of the Coolamon District is taking shape.
We are a small club of 24 members with two women Rotarians. Chartered May 1971.
We live in a small country town of 1,200 people and draw our members
form the Shire, mainly farmers. We have gone through a severe
drought, 7 years now, but signs are positive of a recovery with some
good summer rains. Our community is well served by our club and
Lions, Country Women's Association (CWA) and so on.
The Rotary Club of Coolamon is inviting the Lions Club of Coolamon to
work with us to make this idea become a reality.
Australian Men's Sheds are having a very successful time implementing
these sheds all round Australia. They are for men only, a place they
can go at anytime to get away from the stress of daily life. A place
where they can use their skills in making things out of wood, steel,
glass and anything that takes their fancy. Several men's sheds have
been started by local Rotary Clubs sowing the seed and getting them
off the ground.
We want to work with the Lions and have a joint approach to this idea.
There are many men hiding their true feelings these days around us.
Mainly due to the drought and the effect it has had on their way of
life. We heard of a farmer not far from here who took all his sheep
to the markets, he did not get a bid so as he had no food for them and
as he had no cash flow to buy any fodder he took them all home to his
farm. He shot the lot;.......... then shot himself.
So it with this in mind that we want to establish a Men's Shed for the
men of our Shire a place where they can go and have a chat with their
mates and talk things over. Mental health is a problem for many of us
men who on the outside think we are tough but inside we are in a state
of turmoil.
We are sourcing the land and planning hard. A committee will be set
up in conjunction with the Lions and we have the backing of the local
Shire Council and Mayor, who happens to be the current President of
the Lions Club of Coolamon.
Men's Shed Australia:
mensheds.com.au
It is a community service of which I am sure will make a difference to
the lives of many men in our Shire.
I attach a photo or two of some of the items that men have made in one
of these sheds in a village not far from here.
1. Barbed Wire Balls
2. Moo Cow
All for now.
I will keep the list informed of our progress.
BTW women are not involved for many reasons it is not a sexist thing,
just does not work in the presence of our ladies who are a tower of
strength, there are certain things men will never share with their
women.
Yours in Rotary
John Glassford
Community Services Director & President Elect 08/09
Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700
New South Wales, Australia
Road MAPS to Africa & RFFA {Australia} Web Site:
coolamonrotary.com/maps
61 2 6927 6027
