Zoe Moffatt
Huddled in a circle in a Riddells Creek backyard, 14 men wrap their hands around hot cups of tea and coffee.
The weather is almost getting too warm for the hot drinks, but it’s a ritual synonymous to the members of the Riddell’s Creek Men’s Shed and the way meetings have changed over the last two years.
Secretary Don Clark said the group has had to focus on catch ups like these due to not using the shed at the Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House (RCNH).
“[The impact] is nothing short of catastrophic,” Mr Clark said.
“[The men’s shed] is for our health in general. Until we actually got the men’s shed going I wasn’t totally aware of how important it was for each of us to be talking about health issues.”
Mr Clark said the shed, which the group had used since 2013, is also important to give men a sense of belonging, and a place to come together and build.
“Just the fact that we’re old doesn’t mean we’re gone. It’s great to be able to contribute something to our community.
“[However], the [group] numbers have dropped off mainly because we have nothing to offer members, [or] where to go other than different people’s homes.
“People who want to make stuff have nowhere to make it, unless they do it at their home with their own tools.”
Due to an ongoing dispute with RCNH, the shed at the rear of the Main Street property has not been used since April 2021.
RCNH acting president Nicole Rowan said RCNH auspiced the men’s shed to cover the financial, insurance, legal, governance and other obligations but had to end that collaboration due to financial and safety issues with the shed.
“The safety issues were identified in an independent safety assessment arranged by the council,” she said.
“We recognise that men’s shed programs contribute significantly to the good health and wellbeing of men.
“We want to ensure that there are specific programs for men’s shed activities and at the same time increase the number of groups, and the gender of groups, that use the shed.”
Macedon Ranges council director community Maria Weiss said since the auspice agreement termination, council officers had supported both organisations to come to an agreement to enable the reopening of the men’s shed.
“Council.. has [coordinated and funded] an independent occupational health and safety report for the shed, assisting [RCNH] to draft a special hire agreement, and engagement of an independent mediator,“ she said.
“Council has continued to support and encourage the two parties to have open conversations with each other in order to seek resolution. Unfortunately… [they] have been unable to reach an agreement.”
Mr Clark said members had until October 27 to collect their tools from the shed, which they will store in a 20 foot container until they can relocate.
“We’re trying to organise a couple of working bees with some more able bodied people in the community to help us with some of the heavier items,” he said.
Ms Rowan said once the men’s shed equipment has been cleared, the RCNH will clean up and do any building repairs and compliance work needed, so new programs can be implemented.
The men’s shed members, along with the rest of the community, has been invited by RCNH to work on a shared community shed space model. Ms Rowan said a working community group had commenced this process.
“As part of this process, we are holding a smoked meat barbecue cooking session to bring the community together around the shared community shed concept,” she said.
This event will be held on Friday, October 27, from 5.30pm, and is also on the same evening as the community music night held in the RCNH gardens. All are welcome to attend and RSVPs are required.
RSVP to: manager@riddellscreeknh.com.au
