Introduction
At Nungya Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, we believe that strong communities are built on connection, healing, and opportunities to share skills, knowledge, and culture. One of the projects closest to our hearts, and one that we know will make a profound difference in the lives of men across our community, is the establishment of our Men’s Shed initiative.
For many years, the idea of Men’s Sheds has spread across Australia as a way for men—especially those who are isolated, struggling with health, or needing a sense of belonging—to come together in a safe, welcoming, and practical environment. But for us, it is more than just a workshop. It is about mental health support, cultural pride, community healing, and giving men of all ages a reason to come together.
Our Men’s Shed will be grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, yet open to all men who want to be part of something positive. It will not only provide a space to build, fix, and learn but also a place to share stories, cook meals together, reconnect with country, and talk about the real challenges men face—whether it’s mental health, family pressures, unemployment, or simply the weight of feeling alone.
This post sets out what our Men’s Shed is, why we are creating it, and the many ways we plan to grow it into a strong, life-changing space for our community.
Why a Men’s Shed Matters
Too often, men—especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men—carry silent burdens. In many communities, men are less likely to talk about their struggles, less likely to seek professional help, and more likely to withdraw when life gets hard. This has led to heartbreaking statistics around men’s health, suicide rates, and family breakdowns.
We know that when men are supported, heard, and connected, the benefits ripple outwards. Strong men help build stronger families. Strong families create healthier communities. And healthy communities are what we all want for our future generations.
Our Men’s Shed is designed to tackle issues on several levels:
- Practical support: Men can learn new skills, work on projects, and feel a sense of achievement.
- Mental health and wellbeing: By working side by side, men naturally talk, open up, and support each other.
- Cultural connection: The Shed will be a place where stories, traditions, and cultural practices can be shared.
- Community belonging: It gives men a reason to get out of the house, meet others, and feel they are part of something bigger.
This is not just about tools and timber—it’s about rebuilding lives and identities.
Our Vision for the Men’s Shed
When we talk about “our Shed,” we don’t mean just a building. We mean a living space where men feel they belong. We are building it on four main foundations:
- Healing Space – A place where mental health and emotional wellbeing are supported through conversation, peer support, and programs designed to help men deal with challenges.
- Skill-Sharing Hub – A workshop where men can use tools, learn trades, pass on their knowledge, and build projects that help the wider community.
- Cultural Connection – A gathering place for storytelling, traditional practices, and cultural activities that strengthen identity and pride.
- Community Contribution – A space where the projects created inside the Shed go back into the community, whether that’s building furniture for elders, repairing equipment, or running outreach programs for youth.
We don’t just want a place where men can make things. We want a place where men can make change—in their lives, their families, and their communities.
What the Men’s Shed Will Offer
We have big plans for the Shed, and as it grows, it will become more than just four walls and some tools. Here’s what we envision:
1. Workshops and Skills Training
- Carpentry, metalwork, and mechanical projects.
- Training sessions in tool safety, construction skills, and trades.
- Programs led by experienced community members who can pass on valuable knowledge.
- Opportunities for younger men to learn from older men in a hands-on way.
2. Mental Health and Wellbeing Programs
- Partnerships with psychologists and health workers who can run informal sessions.
- Yarning circles where men can talk openly about their struggles.
- Access to information and referrals for support services.
- Special programs around managing stress, anger, and substance misuse.
3. Cultural Activities
- Storytelling nights where elders pass down history and traditions.
- Traditional art and craft workshops.
- Teaching bush skills, fishing knowledge, and cultural practices.
- Celebrations of important cultural events, bringing families together.
4. Social and Recreational Opportunities
- Weekly shared meals cooked together in the Shed.
- Movie nights, sports screenings, and community barbecues.
- Outreach to isolated men in the community to ensure no one is left behind.
- Trips to country and outdoor activities that strengthen connections to land.
5. Community Service Projects
- Building items for local schools, health services, and community centers.
- Repairing bikes, furniture, or equipment for families in need.
- Offering mentorship to young men who are at risk.
- Volunteering together in broader community initiatives.
The Shed is about more than what happens inside—it’s about what flows back out into the community.
Our Plans for the Future
We are still in the building stage, but our plans are ambitious and long-term. Here’s how we see the Shed growing over time:
Stage 1: Establishment
- Secure a physical location and set it up with essential tools, benches, and storage.
- Begin running weekly meetups and workshops.
- Launch mental health and yarning circle sessions.
- Recruit volunteers and community members to take ownership of the Shed.
Stage 2: Expansion
- Develop partnerships with local businesses, councils, and health services.
- Expand the range of workshops and bring in specialist trainers.
- Build a kitchen space for shared meals and cooking classes.
- Increase outreach to isolated men in remote areas.
Stage 3: Sustainability
- Create income streams through selling community-made projects.
- Seek ongoing funding from grants, donors, and partnerships.
- Build a strong volunteer base and train Shed leaders.
- Develop long-term programs for youth mentorship and intergenerational connection.
Stage 4: A Model for Other Communities
- Once successful, we want to share our model with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Build partnerships so other communities can set up similar Sheds.
- Continue to strengthen networks between men’s groups across Australia.
Our Shed is not just for today—it is being built for future generations of men to benefit from.
How the Men’s Shed Connects to Our Other Work
The Men’s Shed is part of a wider vision at Nungya Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation. Alongside our work with assistance animals and our programs in health and community support, the Shed will strengthen our mission to create safe, healing spaces for people in our community.
Men who join the Shed may also benefit from our assistance animal program, health education, or cultural learning initiatives. Everything we do connects together, because we know healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when people have access to many different forms of support.
How the Community Can Be Involved
We believe the Men’s Shed will be strongest when it is built with the community, for the community. There are many ways people can be part of this journey:
- Volunteers – If you have skills, time, or knowledge to share, you can help run workshops, mentor younger men, or simply provide a listening ear.
- Donations – Tools, materials, equipment, and funds are all vital for getting the Shed up and running.
- Partnerships – Businesses, councils, and organizations can support the Shed through sponsorships, training, and shared projects.
- Community Members – The most important involvement is simply showing up. Every man who walks through the doors of the Shed brings value, and every conversation strengthens our mission.
A Message of Hope
When we imagine the Men’s Shed in action, we see a vibrant space filled with laughter, learning, and brotherhood. We see men walking in with heavy shoulders and walking out a little taller. We see skills being passed down from generation to generation. We see projects that benefit not only the men inside but the entire community outside.
Most of all, we see healing.
Our Men’s Shed will be a place where silence is broken, where struggles are shared, and where hope is rebuilt.
At Nungya Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, we are committed to making this vision a reality. The Shed is not just about fixing timber and metal—it’s about fixing hearts, spirits, and futures.