Mathoura and Echuca-Moama’s men’s sheds were among 14 from the district recognised in NSW Parliament this month.
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NSW member for Murray Helen Dalton singled out the organisation for its role in supporting men’s health and wellbeing during presentations of Community Recognition Statements.
Members of both organisations, and of the Deniliquin Men's Shed, were presented with certificates marking the honour in Deniliquin last week.
The presentations coincided with Mrs Dalton’s first visit to Deniliquin since the coronavirus restrictions were put in place in March.
Mrs Dalton said the timing was significant, coming one week after International Men’s Health Week, celebrated last week (June 14 to June 20).
“With sheds beginning to reopen after closing their door for nearly two months due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the timing could not have come soon enough for many regional men facing increased levels of loneliness and inactivity,” Mrs Dalton said.
“Our men’s sheds provide an opportunity for men to build friendships and improve their mental health and wellbeing through having a chat over a cuppa with other blokes.
“In regional areas alone, one in eight million men will experience depression at some point in their lives and men’s sheds are aiming to reduce these numbers through reducing isolation.
“As a community based organisation each shed servicing their local communities through creating products, be it garden bed containers from recycled materials or made to order pieces for locals, adding a sense of giving back to their community.
“I encourage any men in need of some mateship to drop in and check out the sheds in their local area.”
Echuca-Moama Men’s Shed member Dean Campbell, who accepted the certificate on behalf of the group, said the primary goal of the organisation was to give men an outlet to keep busy and interact with other men.
“A lot of guys will not open up until they are around other men,” Mr Campbell said.
“What we do is invaluable when it comes to men’s health, but we’re also here for the community as well.
“We had a call this week where a woman needed help putting together a flat pack cupboard.
“Two of us went around and it took us about six hours to put together, and then it was so large we had to call a few more down to help us lift it up.
“We get a lot of support from the community as well. Farmers have been known to donate their old tools to us, and on occasion we have been able to lend them out to the community.”
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