As 2025 draws to a close (and what a great year it has been), it’s an opportune time to reflect on a momentous year for the Men’s Shed movement and the men’s health sector.
This year has been the most significant year since the launch of the National Male Health Policy 15 years ago, with the Government now fulfilling their pre-election commitment of $32m over four years to support men’s health initiatives, including $8.3m to Men’s Sheds. This achievement was only made possible through your support, and our partner organisations Movember and Healthy Male, in carrying your voices to influence this Government commitment.
We also welcomed the appointment of the Hon. Dan Repacholi MP as Special Envoy for Men’s Health – an appointment that truly signifies and reinforces the Government’s commitment to real change for men’s health and wellbeing. Dan has already been extremely active in the Men’s Shed community and I would even go as far as saying that he has already visited more Men’s Sheds than any other politician – giving him a valuable insight into the importance of Men’s Sheds and a strong voice for all of us in Canberra.
Out on the ground, there were a great number of opportunities for connection, conversation and celebration.
In February, with the Bipartisan Friendship Group of Men’s Sheds, we hosted a summer BBQ in the Reps Courtyard of Parliament House. With a standout cook-up from the Tuggeranong Men’s Shed, MPs, Senators and their staff enjoyed our thanks to them for their support of local Men’s Sheds.
We held events around the country during National Volunteer Week – celebrating the heart and soul of Men’s Sheds: you. In sheds around the country committee members are the unsung heroes working behind the scenes — wrangling paperwork, wrestling with council requirements, balancing the books, and making sure the shed can open its doors week after week. Out on the floor, Shedders are making everything from bird boxes and planter stands to toys and rustic benches — all sold to support the shed or donated to local charities and community groups.
In June we marked international Men’s Health Week with the theme See Your GP – a good reminder for us all to keep up the DIY maintenance and regular servicing on our most important asset.
In September we celebrated Men’s Shed Week with the theme “Building Healthy Communities” – something that Men’s Sheds do every day. We were thrilled to host Dan and local member Sharon Claydon MP for a BBQ lunch at Elermore Vale Men’s Shed, where Newcastle Men’s Shed performed their song “At the Men’s Shed” (which you can check out on our YouTube channel).
I was pleased to be part of our first ever gathering of Men’s Sheds in the Northern Territory at ShedFEST NT, in Darwin in October. We were joined by Dan and his team, as well as local MP Luke Gosling and, most importantly, a great representation of sheds from as far as Alice Springs. As we roll out our new “ShedFEST” event format, it is being reviewed and refined to become a great social and developmental get together for shedders around the country.
Last month, we acknowledged International Men’s Day on 19 November, with its theme “Supporting Men and Boys”. It’s a theme that resonates deeply with our mission at AMSA, and one that many Sheds are already putting into practice every day.
Across the country, sheds have continued to demonstrate the power of community, connection and purpose — the very qualities that make our network so strong.
Looking ahead to 2026, there will be further expansion of the services provided by AMSA that align to our new funding with a focus on our men’s health initiatives, in particular Spanner in the Works?. Last year we did over 2,000 Spanner in the Works? health checks across Australia – and we look forward to expanding our work in this space over the coming years.
The highlight for early next year will be our 11th AMSA National Men’s Shed Gathering. With the Queensland Men’s Shed Association as our Co-Host and our long-term major partner Fair Dinkum Builds as our platinum sponsor, we will be based at Royal on the Park Hotel & Suites in the Brisbane CBD from Tuesday 24 March to Thursday 26 March. I hope many of you will be able to attend – we’d love to see as many sheds from every state and territory attend as possible. You can find out more on our website at www.mensshed.org/menssheds2026
I also encourage all shedders to nominate a shed as part of our 2026 National Shed Awards. I know you’re a humble lot, but it’s a great chance for us to showcase the great work you do every day. Nominations close soon – please don’t be put off by filling in a form, it’s the quality of the activity we’re focused on.
To wrap up what always becomes a lengthy end-of-year letter –
Thank you to every shed and every shed member for your contributions throughout the year. Your efforts continue to strengthen not only your local communities, but the national Men’s Shed movement as a whole.
Now it is time for us all to dust off the machinery and close the shed for the Christmas break, time to spend with friends and family, but also acknowledging that for some it may not be such a happy time, in true Men’s Shed comradery I encourage you all to look after our mates.
On behalf of the AMSA team, I wish you all a safe, restful and enjoyable Christmas season — and a positive start to the year ahead. The AMSA Office will be closed from Monday 22 December and we will return ready to support you for another great year on Monday 12 January.
Merry Men’s Shed Christmas,
David Helmers
Executive Officer
