Alan Hart, Maldon Men’s Shed VIC
In late 2023, I was diagnosed with level 5, high-risk, aggressive prostate cancer. My PSA was 11. It was a lot to take in — emotionally, mentally, physically. After coming to grips with the diagnosis, I was told I’d need to undergo 39 sessions of radiation therapy over eight weeks — five days a week — at the Peter Mac Cancer Centre in Bendigo.
We live about 40 minutes out of Bendigo with no access to public transport. My wife doesn’t drive, and to prepare for each session, I needed to drink 750ml of water in 10 minutes, exactly 30 minutes before each appointment — a strict routine that made timing crucial. The treatment itself took around an hour each time.
So, the next challenge became: How on earth am I going to get there and back every day for eight weeks?
I happened to mention my situation in a casual chat with our Maldon Men’s Shed President. I wasn’t asking for anything — just talking, like you do. But that one conversation set something incredible in motion.
Our Secretary sent out a quiet call for help, and the response floored me. Within days, 12 blokes and 2 women (the wives of shed members) had put up their hands to help with the driving. They created a roster and committed to getting me to every single treatment — no matter the time. Some days were early mornings, others late afternoons. Every one of them showed up, on time, in their own cars (except for one, who borrowed one). One of the women even took over driving every Wednesday so the men could all attend the shed together.
Each Friday, I’d receive my treatment schedule for the following week, and over the weekend I’d coordinate the drivers. A different person each day, but never once was a lift missed. Not once.
When my treatment finished, my wife and I wanted to do something to say thank you. So, we hosted a morning tea at our shed in Maldon. It was our way of showing appreciation — though no cake or cuppa could truly express how grateful we were for what they’d done.
This is what the Men’s Shed is all about. It’s not just about fixing things or sharing skills — it’s about showing up for each other. It’s mateship in its truest form and I can honestly say I’ve lived that connection. Felt it. Relied on it. And I’ll never forget the strength it gave me during one of the most difficult periods of my life.
Thank you to my Shed mates. You didn’t just drive me to my treatment — you carried me through it.