Monday, 27 July 2026

Ouyen District Men’s Shed Network Meeting

It was almost standing room only in the men’s shed recently.

The Ouyen District Men’s Shed played host to a meeting of the North Western Men’s Sheds Network, which saw sixty-five representatives from men’s sheds across the Mallee and Wimmera join the local shed members at their Rowe Street Shed last Tuesday. There were several topics of discussion on the agenda along with time for lunch and the important social aspect of the day.

Those from visiting men’s sheds travelled from Sunraysia, Robinvale, Red Cliffs, Sea Lake, Wycheproof, Birchip, Hopetoun, Woomelang, Rainbow, and Donald, making the most of a day out, enjoying the opportunity to catch up with like-minded blokes. For quite a few attending this was their first opportunity to visit the Ouyen Men’s Shed and to meet some neighbouring like-minded men.

A series of similar men’s shed network meetings are being held across the state, in an effort to bring the sheds together and enable members to discuss ways of maintaining a strong membership, encouraging new men to take up membership and to strengthen local community connections through open days and creating partnerships with local community organisations.

It was also a great opportunity to hear a report on the current campaign to try to increase men’s shed funding first-hand from Chair of the VMSA Trevor, who noted in the report that state government funding for men’s sheds has not increased since 2012 but the number of sheds had actually tripled in number.

As a result, a resolution to support the Victorian Men’s Shed Association lobbying to increase state government support for men’s sheds through an e-postcard campaign was carried unanimously.

Published with permission from the Ouyen North West Express.