Mensheds Australia

Mensheds Australia (MSA) is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 2002 to aid the formation of Men’s Sheds in Australia. The organisation was founded in 2002 to offer support and funding to Men’s Sheds across Australia.

History

Peter Sergeant founded the organisation in 2002, due to a number of discussions about Men’s health at the time.^[1] It’s prime objective was to encourage elderly men to discuss health issues, through the introduction of Men’s Sheds across Australia. In the early days they focused heavily on making Men’s Shed’s accessible, while also making it easier to create new sheds, through advice and funding options.^[2]

In the period from 2006 through to 2011, the company claims to have worked with over 200 Sheds across Australia, providing both support and finances. Today over 120 of those have become active members of the MSA.^[2]

Since its foundation, Men’s Sheds Australia has helped source numerous sponsorship arrangements to aid Men’s Sheds across Australia. These have included local sponsorships from community groups and churches, along with national sponsorship through corporate clients such as the Salvation Army, Rotary and Apex.^[2]

The future of the MSA could be mainly based around indigenous (rural) Men’s Sheds. This is due to statistics stating this is where the next main growth will occur.^[3]

Values and aims

The main aim of the Mensheds Australia is to improve Men’s health and wellbeing. They are an established part of the health infrastructure of Australia and it helps to aim the establishment and sustainability of sheds.

The Men’s Sheds under the supervision of the MSA have a number of key aims. They aim to support newly retired individuals in the transition from full-time employment to retired activities. All the aims have a central theme of promoting social interaction and raise awareness of degenerative and mental illnesses common in elderly males.^[4]

The values of the organisation are to ensure that all members are treated equally, which in turn will improve the atmosphere of the Shed and health of its members. It also focuses on the work or activities carried out in the Shed that they are carried out professionally and with dignity. There is a central list of rules and regulations to ensure these values are abided by at all times by its members.^[2]

Support

The support provided by the MSA, offers Sheds a complete model from how to set up a Shed, to its ongoing management and how to attract and retain members. The support they provide isn’t only advice to Sheds, but they also offer financial aid and financial support.

Affiliated Associations

• International Historians Association - Military Law, Enforcement and Public Servants virtual Men's Shed.

References