Whyalla Men's Shed Inc

About our shed

About Us

The Whyalla Men's Shed (WMS or the Shed) is a grass roots community based organisation currently comprising about 50 volunteers (including some Work for the Dole particpants) who meet regularly to socialise, make things, fix things and restore things. The WMS started out in late 2012 following a public meeting which resulted in the formation of a working group in February 2013. The Shed became an Incorporated Entity under the SA Department of Business and Consumer Affairs in April 2013.

In the early days particpants (10-12) met twice a week in a tin shed at the back of ‘Life Without Barriers’ on Knight St, Whyalla Stuart. In January 2014 the Shed moved to it's permanent premises (the old St Martin’s Church) on Williams St in the centre of Whyalla. Since that time, members have been busy renovating and refurbishing what was a vandalised, neglected, run down old building.

The shed now has about 40 paid up members (often called ‘shedders’) with about 25 attending on a regular basis. The average age is 70 years; the youngest is 34 years old and the oldest about 85 years.
The objectives of the Shed are to improve the social and emotional well-being of members by providing the opportunity for socialisation, camaraderie, friendship, as well as constructive endeavour and peer support providing members with a sense of identity and purpose.

At the Whyalla Men’s Shed, men can -
Pursue hobbies, pastimes and interests;
Learn new skills, practice and pass on old skills;
Foster male physical, psychological health and well-being;
Offer health promotion activities and heath information;
Mentor men, young and old, including those affected by unemployment, social and economic disadvantage, relationship breakdown or bereavement, ill-health and mental illness;
By the efforts of the members, contribute to the Shed, families, their friends, and their community

Shed Activities

The shed is now an enviable, multipurpose space, testament to the ownership and commitment of its dedicated volunteers. Apart from work that required licensed tradesmen (electrical and plumbing), all the work has been done by the shed members.

The shed offers a smoke, drug- and alcohol-free, multipurpose space with a range of facilities -

a common room for meetings and socialisation;
well equiped workshops to enable small construction, repair or restoration projects in wood or metal;
a games room equipped with pool table, television, and games;
a small library containing fiction, non-fiction as well as hobby and craft books and magazines;
a networked computer suite with Internet access used for computer refurbishing and computer tuition;
a small office area and display foyer where shed-made products are available for sale;
a kitchen for preparing light meals and refreshments, and;
an outdoor recreation and garden area.​

Members are justifiably proud of what has become a well recognised, respected and valued community organisation supporting the men of Whyalla.