About our shed

About Us

In response to the interest of local Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Men in the local community, a group of Elders who were members of the Brisbane Northside Elders Group got together with Kurbingui staff and management and submitted an application for funding to establish a Men’s Shed in the north Brisbane for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander men over the 18 years of age.

Led by Uncle John Johnston and Uncle Alan Finn and with the support of male members of the Brisbane Northside Elders and assistance from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Construction Trainees they set about refurbishing an area within the Kurbingui campus and created the Men’s Shed area. Although still in its infancy, the aim is to fill the identified gap by providing male clients of the various programs within Kurbingui aged 18 and above, Elders and the wider Brisbane community with a culturally safe, friendly environment for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander men to meet, participate in a Community Venture, conduct Men’s Business including Yarning Circles, and help facilitate positive wellbeing in all members.

Men’s Shed Yarning Circles are a cultural gathering of Indigenous people to share ideas, experiences or concerns and bring older and younger Indigenous men together to share culture and facilitate lasting connections. Contact with and connections between younger Indigenous men and Elders have been interrupted for many who travelled (or who were forcibly moved) off country to live and work in the Brisbane area. The North Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men’s Shed aims to restore these important cultural significant links, educate younger men about their culture, provide meaningful activity and empower our Indigenous men.

Shed Activities

Push Bike Repairs and Servicing, Wooden Toys, Boomerang Making, Furniture Refurbishing, Upcycling Old Materials into New Practical Items, Continuing to Fit Out the Men’s Shed Machinery and Storage

Find us

Contact

John Johnston

Address
425 Zillmere Road Zillmere, QLD 4034
Get Directions

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Positive impacts

Camaraderie

"I've found a great group of mates"

Mateship is an important pillar of every Men’s Shed – first and foremost the shed is a place for men to knock about with a group of like-minded mates.

Community

“I give back to the community”

Men’s Sheds are vital community investments delivering programmes and activities that foster community spirit and contribute to building a more inclusive Australia.

Health & Wellbeing

“My health and wellbeing is better because I'm a Shedder”

Many shedders experience improved mental health outcomes. Men (and women) involved at their local Shed report increased self-esteem through participation and learning new skills; de-stigmatisation of experiencing mental health and de-stigmatisation of prevalent social issues related to mental health.

Watch — More than just a shed

The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) is the national service provider supporting more than 1,200 Men’s, Women’s and Community Sheds and is recognised as one of Australia’s largest male-based community development organisations.

AMSA was established in 2007 by a collection of Australian independent community-based Men’s Sheds to represent, support and promote the Men’s Shed movement. It was founded on the principle of sharing information between sheds and those communities wishing to establish and operate a Men’s Shed. It acts as a central hub for information exchange.

Facts & Figures

1,200+
Sheds

Men’s Sheds across Australia (that's more Men's Sheds than Macca's restaurants!)

12
Countries

More than 2,500 Men's Sheds operate in 12 countries

30
Years

The first Men's Shed was established in 1993 (Goolwa, South Australia)

50,000+
Australians

More than 50,000 Australian men participate in Men's Sheds