About our shed

About Us

Southern Illawarra Men’s Shed: Is a friendly place where men come together to undertake woodworking, metalworking and other projects of their choice and also, to contribute to projects requested by the local community.
While the majority of our Members are retired from full time work, we welcome all men over 18 years of age who are looking for a new interest to learn new skills, redevelop their old skills and chat to our handymen and retired tradesman can share their skills, a lifetime of knowledge and provide any training if required.
The objectives of our Men’s Shed include advancing the health and well-being of its members. Why? Because unfortunately, most “Aussie blokes” simply won’t talk about their feelings and emotions and do not take an interest in their own health and well-being and that means that they usually don’t ask for help when they need it most. Probably because of this, many men are less healthy than women, drink more, take more risks and suffer more from isolation, loneliness and depression. However, by joining our Men’s Shed and chatting to our members, they can chat to Men with similar issues to ther own.
Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive, contributing to your community, connecting with new friends and maintaining an active body and mind. Becoming a member of any Men’s Shed provides a safe, busy or layback environment where men can find many of these things in an environment of old-fashioned mateship. And, importantly, there is no pressure, ie. men can just come and have a yarn and a cuppa as often as they like if that is all they’re looking for – that gets them away from the house and out from under their wife/partner/pet’s feet.
Members of Men’s Sheds come from all walks of life – the bond that unites them is that they are men with time on their hands and would like something meaningful to do with that time, ie. men looking for brighter future.

Shed Activities

Woodworking: Band Saw, Table Saw, Planner/Thicknesser, Table Router Lathes, Linisher/Sander, Chisel Morticer, Dowlinh Machine, Oscilating Spindle Sander, Mitre DropSaw and numerous Power Tools and Hand tools

Metalworking: Lathes, Pedestal Drill,Milling Machine, Welders, Grinders.

Large workbenches to cater for carer for your particulatar hobby,

Find us

Contact

Chris Cruden

Address
121 Industrial Rd Oak Flats, NSW 2529
Get Directions

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Thank you to our partners and supporters that help us provide offers, programs and assistance to Australian Men’s Sheds. Read more about our partners and supporters.

Major Partner

Partners

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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