Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

I'm happy to second the motion. I rise today to acknowledge the 2024 Men's Shed Week, a celebration of a remarkable establishment that has fostered social connection and community development and improved mental health outcomes for men all across Australia. Men's sheds have become so much more than a place to tinker or build. They are places of mateship, where men from all walks of life can come together to share skills, stories and companionship over a cup of tea or coffee, and often some very nice homemade biscuits. These men's sheds offer a sense of belonging and purpose, particularly for men who may otherwise feel isolated. Whether working with wood, metal or other materials, these shared passions build more than just creative pieces. They build confidence and a sense of self. In an era where we hear all too frequently about mental health challenges in our community, men's sheds stand as a quiet yet powerful institution to support men's mental and emotional health.

Mayo is home to nearly 20 men's sheds, including: Aldgate Men's Shed; Kingscote Men's Shed; Lobethal and District Shedmen; Macclesfield Men's Shed; Lakeside Men's Shed @ Milang; Laratinga Community Shed; Victor Harbour Men's Shed; Yankalilla and Districts Community Men's Shed; Coorong Quays Boat Shed—I was there just recently; Armfield Slip and Boatshed—they specialise in doing a lot of work around ships and boats, and they're right on the water Goolwa; the Hut Community Shed; Strathalbyn Wood Craft Group; Blackwood Hills Men's Shed; the Red Shed; the Green Shed at Gumeracha; the Aldinga Bay Community Shed; and the Kersbrook Shed.

These sheds play a vital role for many in our community but particularly for men when they navigate the transition from paid work to retirement or from farm life to town life or when they downsize to a retirement village and no longer have their own beloved shed. In my time as the member for Mayo I have been honoured to enter many of these sacred places, share a cuppa and talk to the men about what they are creating. As I said, I recently visited Coorong Quays Boat Shed, where a dedicated group of members with a shared passion for boat restoration gather weekly to work collaboratively on a range of projects. This shed is just one of so many across my community.

We must do everything we can in this place to continue to provide these groups with the financial resources to sustain their growth and development so that future generations can also experience the benefit of that supportive network. I know, talking with my men's shed, who are doing the Bunnings sausage sizzle just to cover the cost of materials and keep the lights on, that we have so many organisations in our community that are very generous with the men's sheds, donating excess stock they may have. They want to provide a quality place. They are always looking to expand. Look at the Victor Harbour men's shed. That's a massive shed. We were able to get funding for that a few years ago, but I can tell you it is full to the brim. As my husband says, you can never have a big enough shed. That is correct.

I greatly value the men's sheds in my community. They are wonderful, welcoming places and safe places for men to come together and connect and make new friendships, all the while working side by side and building positive and good mental health and connections to each other. Long live men's sheds.

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