Men’s mental health was a recurring theme at the official opening of the Yass Valley Men’s Shed on Saturday.
Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson spoke of the place of the Men’s Shed in combating the problem of men’s mental health, an issue close to her heart. She spoke of how common depression is and acknowledged the fear many people have of someone they know “doing something silly”.
“The Men’s Shed is a way to come together to do something physical. Part of the problem with men’s mental health is not being able to talk.”
“The importance of the support offered to men at Men’s Sheds can not be over-emphasised,” Member for Hume Alby Schultz said, adding that an additional benefit of the Men’s Shed movement is young men coming out to learn from more mature men. The Federal Government MP presented an Australian flag to Paul Haslam, and advised the group to contact his office for information about grants available to volunteer associations which may well provide funding once priorities have been established. He also presented a personal cheque for $100.
In accepting the flag and cheque, Mr Haslam said “Australia is about community. So many in our communities are isolated… anything we can do to close the gap is good.”
“It’s all about community and men supporting each other,” Chairman of the Yass Valley Men’s Shed Paul Haslam said.
“The shed was just an idea, but it’s grown into much more than that. It appears Yass has been screaming for this for a long time,” the experienced woodworker said. He paid tribute to Cr Allan McGrath and Council’s Community Development Manager Cathy Campbell, who got the ball rolling, and acknowledged the community which has rallied around.
Many community organisations were represented in the 90 or so men and women who turned up to witness the Yass Valley mayor Nic Carmody perform one of his last official tasks of this term of council by cutting the ribbon to the Men’s Shed.
Allan McGrath, in his capacity as MC, welcomed the official guests Nic Carmody, Member for Hume Alby Schultz, Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson and the Ngunnawal community.
Ngunnawal elder Eric Bell welcomed Men’s Shed members to Ngunnawal country, and asked that people “show respect for our land when you are on our land”. He invited those in attendance to walk through the smoke produced by members of the Ngunnawal community in a traditional smoking ceremony, explaining that walking through the smoke was a cleansing experience. “I think the Catholic Church stole this idea from us,” he quipped.
Allan McGrath paid tribute to the community support the project has received.
“There’s been a lot of support from the community, none more so than Yass Lions,” he said.
The President of Yass Lions, Phillip Frost, addressed the gathering and presented Mr Haslam with a cheque for $500.
Speaking to the Tribune after the speeches, Cathy Campbell noted what a fantastic day it had been.
“It’s all been done without outside funding. It’s a real community initiative,” she said,
“This shows how strong the Yass community is,” she said.
The Men’s Shed is open every Saturday from 11am-3pm, and alternate Thursdays from 5.30pm.
Allan McGrath urged those present to “tell everyone about it. We need more people. I’d like to see it open seven days a week.”
The Men’s Shed started the day with 30 members. By the end of the inspiring day, another 18 had signed up.
Vice Chairman of the Men’s Shed, Wayne Stuart, was delighted with the day and said the extra members meant the shed would soon be able to extend its opening times.
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