There are moments in the life of every organisation when we pause, reflect and remember those whose shoulders we stand upon. Sadly, over recent weeks, the Australian Men’s Shed movement has farewelled two of those remarkable individuals.
Roger Greenan OAM of Windale Men’s Shed and Ray Cawthorne of Grenfell Men’s Shed were more than respected Shedders, they are among the pioneers of the Men’s Shed movement. They were both mentors, and they were good friends. Above all, they were two men whose dedication and commitment helped shape what has become one of Australia’s greatest community movements.
For me personally, their passing marks the end of an era. Having worked alongside both Roger and Ray over many years, I was privileged to witness firsthand the enormous contribution they made, not only to their own Men’s Sheds, but to developing the broader Men’s Shed movement and to thousands of men whose lives they made a difference to and would never even meet.
Although they came from different communities, different backgrounds and brought different experiences, they shared something that has always defined the best of the Men’s Shed movement. Through their determination and contribution, neither man sought recognition or was interested in status or titles. They simply believed that helping other men was the right thing to do.
Roger was one of the driving forces behind Windale Men’s Shed, one of the places where so much of the thinking that eventually became AMSA first took shape. When I became Coordinator at Windale, Roger became one of my greatest mentors and good friend. He constantly encouraged me to think beyond our own Shed and to ask how we could help other communities establish Men’s Sheds of their own.
Together we travelled, shared ideas and like many good constructive relationship we sometimes did not agree or support each other’s ideas, but somehow we always agreed to disagree and made compromise. Roger supported emerging Sheds and learned what worked and just as importantly what didn’t.
Looking back now, many of the ideas that underpin AMSA today were born during those conversations around the tables of Windale Men’s Shed. Although continuously updated, many of the existing manuals and procedures that are used today originated from those experiences at Windale. Roger always understood that the real strength of a Men’s Shed wasn’t found in timber, tools or workshops, it was found in people. He knew that if you created a place where men felt welcome, respected and valued, lives would change, and he was right.
Grenfell Men’s Shed also holds a unique place in Australian Men’s Shed history.
Ray Cawthorne represented those very same values from Grenfell Men’s Shed, one of Australia’s pioneering rural Men’s Sheds. Officially opened in 2004, it was one of the earliest rural Men’s Sheds and developed from work that Len Wallace had begun nearly two decades earlier supporting Vietnam veterans and other men experiencing isolation.
Following the passing of the legendary Len Wallace, Ray became the steady hand that ensured Grenfell remained true to its founding principles. Throughout the years that followed, he quietly guided one of Australia’s most respected Men’s Sheds while also supporting the wider movement.
Throughout his years with Grenfell Men’s Shed, Ray generously shared his experience with emerging Sheds, welcomed visitors from across Australia and remained deeply involved in strengthening the wider Men’s Shed network throughout regional New South Wales. He understood that every successful Shed had a responsibility to help the next one succeed.
Ray possessed a quiet wisdom that commanded respect wherever he went. His advice was always thoughtful, his focus was always on what was best for Men’s Sheds. Whenever difficult issues arose, Ray was someone whose opinion carried enormous weight because everyone knew it came from a place of genuine care rather than personal interest This was particularly evident through some of our biggest challenges upon the conception of AMSA where he was deeply and personally involved.
As the Men’s Shed movement grew nationally, Roger and Ray remained exactly the same men they had always been. Humble, generous and committed to helping others. Both understood something that continues to define AMSA today that while every Men’s Shed is proudly independent, we achieve far more when we work together than we ever could alone. That belief helped build the strong national movement we now enjoy.
Today, there are more than 1,300 Men’s Sheds across Australia. Hundreds of thousands of men have walked through Shed doors looking for friendship, purpose, connection and support. Those numbers did not happen by accident; they exist because of pioneers like Roger and Ray, who’s work we replicate today in developing successful Men’s Sheds. Both Roger and Ray believed every man deserves somewhere where he belongs.
Both men were recognised for their extraordinary contributions. Roger with the Medal of the Order of Australia and induction into the AMSA Hall of Fame, and Ray through his own induction into the AMSA Hall of Fame and the immense respect he earned throughout the movement.
Personally, I have lost two friends whose advice, encouragement and friendship have influenced my own journey more than they probably ever realised. Both taught me that genuine leadership is never about yourself – it is about serving others. And those lessons remain with me every day.
On behalf of the Board of the Australian Men’s Shed Association, our staff and the thousands of Shedders across Australia, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and fellow members of Windale Men’s Shed and Grenfell Men’s Shed.
Roger Greenan and Ray Cawthorne helped build more than Men’s Sheds. They helped build friendships and stronger communities. They helped build a movement that continues to change lives every single day. The best way we can honour both of these remarkable men is to continue their work welcoming the next bloke through the Shed door and put the kettle on: to listen, lend a hand and make sure no man has to face life alone. That is the legacy Roger and Ray leave us, that will live on in every Men’s Shed across Australia.
David Helmers
Executive Officer
BELOW: Roger Greenan at Windale Men’s Shed (2013)
