Wellington man Roy Spicer reckons his local Men’s Shed saved him after the death of his wife.
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“I’m constantly at the shed ... it’s one of the best things that ever happened for not only me but everyone in the region,’’ said the 88-year-old museum owner and ex-serviceman.
Mr Spicer joined about 250 other members of Men’s Sheds from 35 branches and areas extending to the Hunter and Southern Highlands for the Australian Men’s Shed Association (ASMA) regional conference.
The conference was held as news of about $30,000 in federal funding for Men’s Sheds in Dubbo, Bourke, Lightning Ridge, Trundle and Tottenham was revealed.
These venues offer a place for older men to utilise their handyman skills as well as somewhere to socialise.
Men’s Sheds are proving popular and liberating places for local retirees, with members offering stories of ‘shed saviour’ at a convention in Dubbo yesterday.
Mr Spicer said he prefers working towards building up his local Men’s Shed than working on something for personal gain.
Having a place to go away from private residences and be with other like-minded men is great for him and many others.
“About 14 months ago I lost my wife and I found going to the Men’s Shed was a great help to me,” he said.
“I live in a big house by myself and I get help from my two daughters but they have their own problems to deal with so it’s good to have another place to go.”
The success of local associations is a focus of the federal government and ASMA.
Half of the NSW recipients offered funding as part of the $750,000 federal government Shed Development Program this week are in the Parkes electorate.
ASMA National CEO David Helmer said the local area’s nomination as a “high needs area” due to the larger percentage of Indigenous, isolated and unemployed men in the local area explains the funding focus.
“It’s pretty outstanding actually,” Mr Helmer said.
“There were 138 applicants for 20 grants.
“So for five to benefit in this area shows that this area meets the government’s criteria.”
The convention was also supported by the Dubbo Council, Dubbo MP Dawn Fardell, Parkes MP Mark Coulton and the Dubbo Baptist Church.
