When people talk about wellbeing in Men’s Sheds, they often mention friendship, connection, and having a place to belong. At Maleny Mens Shed (QLD), those qualities are certainly present, but they are also part of a broader and deliberate commitment to helping members live healthier, happier, and more connected lives.
That commitment recently saw the Shed recognised as a finalist in the Healthy Shed, Healthy Blokes category at the 2026 AMSA National Shed Awards.
For more than a decade, Maleny Men’s Shed has provided local men with opportunities to work on projects, learn new skills, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from spending time with like-minded people. From woodworking and metalwork to blacksmithing, from gardening to community projects, the Shed has long been an important part of community life. Yet over the past two years the Shed has taken its wellbeing focus to another level.
Under the guidance of Wellbeing Coordinator Dr John Barletta, the Shed has developed a comprehensive wellbeing program that reaches far beyond traditional health promotion. The program is built on a simple idea: wellbeing works best when it becomes part of everyday life rather than a standalone activity.
A key part of the initiative is a regular schedule of guest speakers and interactive workshops. Experts from across the community visit the Shed to discuss topics including hearing, health, pain management, healthy ageing, dementia awareness, diabetes, men’s health, elder abuse prevention, and community safety.
Alongside these sessions, Dr Barletta delivers monthly wellbeing presentations covering subjects such as resilience, gratitude, healthy ageing, grief and loss, social connection, stress management, sleep, retirement, physical fitness, and emotional wellbeing. Importantly, the sessions are designed to be practical, engaging, fun, and accessible.
“We want blokes to leave with something useful they can apply to their own lives,” is a philosophy that underpins the program.
To support the learning, the Shed’s Wellbeing Coordinator, Dr Barletta, developed a comprehensive Wellbeing Workbook, funded through the National Shed Development Programme (NSDP). The workbook encourages members to reflect on their health, relationships, and lifestyle while providing practical tools to support positive change. Many members have shared the resource with family and friends, extending its impact beyond the Shed gates.
Wellbeing at Maleny is about much more than education. The Shed has intentionally created opportunities for connection and belonging throughout the year. Monthly BBQs, pub lunches, family events, and social gatherings help strengthen friendships and reduce isolation. Local aged care residents regularly visit the Shed for conversation and companionship, creating meaningful interactions across generations.
The Shed’s commitment to wellbeing extends into the broader community as well. Through partnerships with local organisations, health providers and community groups, members have access to a wide range of support and information. The Shed has also participated in youth engagement activities and community events designed to foster stronger connections across the region. Additionally, Shedders also visit the aged care facility to offer friendship and support.
Members are encouraged to share their personal stories through initiatives such as “Member’s Moments” and Shedder Profiles. These activities celebrate individual experiences while helping members better understand and support one another.
The impact of these initiatives is reflected in the feedback from members themselves.
Many describe gaining a better understanding of health and wellbeing, feeling more confident seeking support, and developing stronger social connections. Others speak about the value of having trusted people around them who genuinely care about their wellbeing.
Perhaps most importantly, members report feeling part of something truly meaningful.
The sense of belonging is, at heart, what makes Men’s Sheds such powerful community spaces. While projects and activities bring people together, it is the relationships formed around workbenches, the forge, BBQs and morning smoko tables that often make the greatest difference.
Maleny Men’s Shed’s Healthy Shed, Healthy Blokes award nomination showcased an impressive range of wellbeing initiatives. But more than that, it highlighted to us what can happen when a Shed commits to creating a culture where wellbeing is everyone’s business.
The result is a community where men are supported to stay connected, remain active, continue learning, and navigate life’s challenges together.
It’s a powerful example of wellbeing in action and a reminder that Men’s Sheds continue to play an important role in helping blokes not only live longer, but live better.
