The Australian Men’s Shed Association has recognised unique and innovative Men’s Sheds and Shedders at the 10th National Men’s Shed Gathering in Murray Bridge, South Australia.
The 2024 National Men’s Shed Awards, supported by AMSA’s major partner Fair Dinkum Builds, recognised seven Men’s Sheds across six categories, following nominations submitted earlier this year.
2024 National Men’s Shed Awards Recipients
Jurien Bay Men’s Shed WA
INNOVATIVE FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY
Men’s Shed Wagga Wagga NSW
SUSTAINABILITY
Coolum Men’s Shed QLD & Eden Men’s Shed NSW
MEN’S HEALTH
Graham Barnard
Bellbowrie Moggill Community Men’s Shed & Shed West Community Mens Shed QLD
SHEDDER OF THE YEAR
The Macclesfield Men’s Shed SA
SHED OF THE YEAR
Paul Sladdin
TED DONNELLY AWARD – OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE MEN’S SHED MOVEMENT
As part of the Australian Men’s Shed Association’s (AMSA) 10th National Men’s Shed Gathering in Murray Bridge (SA), the 2024 National Men’s Shed Shed Awards were announced to recognise Men’s Sheds going above and beyond for members and their communities and individuals for their contributions to the Men’s Shed movement.
“This year we saw some truly unique and innovative activities in our sheds, and we commend the creativity of these shedders who are doing great things for their communities,” said AMSA’s Executive Officer David Helmers.
The Jurien Bay Community Men’s Shed was awarded the Innovative Fundraising Activity Award for their unique “Rest in Reef” project, which offers people a unique way to remember loved ones.
“Rest in Reef” is an artificial reef on the West Australian coast, made using reef balls with a deceased person’s ashes blended into a special blend of concrete. As part of the package, the Shed offers a memorial service on the beach from where the friends and relatives can watch the boat deliver the reef ball for incorporation into the reef.
The Shed is the only organisation or business in Australia authorised to offer this service, and receives enquiries from all parts of Australia. The project has an estimated lifespan of at least 20 years, with approval for 100 more Rest in Reef balls to extend the artificial reef over the next three years.
The Menshed Wagga Wagga philosophy of “If it has a second life, we will find it and use it” saw them awarded the Sustainability Award for their recycling program converting trash into assets.
The shed has saved around 35 tonnes of scrap going to landfill annually and provided much appreciated funds to many local charities and funding special projects. Their ongoing Garage Sale has provided many families with an easy way to clean out “Dad’s shed” and has raised around $65,000.
They also recycle washing machines. The metal tubs are sold as fire buckets, the plastic tubs as feed bins and the agitators modified as hoof rests for farriers. Another project was the conversion dozens of electric hospital beds destined for a landfill into to adjustable work benches and tool caddies not only for their own shed but for Men’s Sheds in the region.
The “Ted Donnelly Award” recognising outstanding and lifelong contributions to the Men’s Shed movement was awarded to Paul Sladdin. Paul’s service to the Australian Men’s Shed Association has been exceptional, being a founding member of the Mansfield Men’s Shed (VIC), President of the Victorian Men’s Shed Association (VMSA) 2010 – 2014, an Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) board member 2010 – 2017 and AMSA Chairman 2018 – 2024.
“Paul has an incredible knowledge of Men’s Sheds and the wider benefit of Sheds to the men within them, as well as the broader community,” said AMSA Executive Officer David Helmers.
“He has guided AMSA through some difficult times and worked with an exceptionally high ethical standard making a significant contribution to all Men’s Shed nationally and internationally.”
Representatives from award winning Men’s Sheds and shedders were in attendance at the Shed Mates Shedder’s Dinner at the National Gathering to accept their awards. Find out more about the award recipients at AMSA’s The Shed Online blog.
BELOW: (L to R) David Helmers (Australian Men’s Shed Association), Paul Sladdin and Richard Gray (Fair Dinkum Builds) celebrate Paul’s contributions to the Men’s Shed movement.
