What is Oberon Men's Shed Inc all about?

May 1, 2025

By David McMurray

Photo supplied

The basic premise of Oberon Men's Shed Inc is to provide a local, informal location where the blokes of the community can spend time engaged in manual crafts, be socially active and form friendships, and allows new opportunities for activity and interaction.

Through shared experiences, members make friends, build a network of emotional support, and develop a sense of belonging. All of which facilitates a willingness to communicate, often uncommon in men. The health and well-being aspect of this shed, particularly in terms of preventive health, is perhaps its greatest benefit.

Established in the Oberon Showground in 2009 as a council initiative and at the behest of the then State Government, the shed has grown to a constant membership of between 30 and 35.

Membership is growing. The Shed has members aged between 18 and 93 who come from all walks of life. Members include those just entering the workforce up to and including residents from local aged care facilities.

The Shed provides an environment where productivity and being of value to his community can contribute to a bloke's feeling of self-worth and help develop a sense of meaning in the years following retirement, loss or other hardship.

For others, the Shed represents a safe haven where isolated blokes can maintain community contact.

Oberon Men's Shed Inc is a registered charity and is one of more than 1200 Sheds across the world. We are a true men's health movement.

In addition to Shed activities, you can find our members raising funds for the Shed by way of a sausage sizzle at an event or selling raffle tickets in Oberon's main street almost weekly.

We can be found out in a farmer's paddock chopping wood for our winter fire and wood supplies to campers.

Other activities can include but are not limited to wood craftmanship or repairing and refurbishing bicycles for sale.

We have a thriving business in used goods and generally have furniture and tools for sale depending on what's in stock. The Shedders can also undertake small repairs to items that can be brought to our workshop.

Socially we undertake visits to places of interest, invite guest speakers to talk about almost any subject of interest, participate in health initiatives, socialize and enjoy healthy lunches.

Activities in the next few months may include a health check by the Australian Red Cross and the Victor Chang Heart Foundation, a chat by the longest serving firemen in NSW plus the local fire service,  visits by other emergency services, a discussion by one of the Directors of the Australian Men's Shed Association, a visit to a local nature reserve and even a Trivia Night.

Not forgetting our weekly Tuesday socials including nutritious lunches.

Check out our Facebook page to see what's happing at the Men's Shed.

Any local bloke looking to escape home for a few hours would do no worse than popping by the Shed to meet us, have a cuppa and a chat, and make that commitment to come along weekly and make new friendships.

Talk to any member of the Shed about the organization or find our stall in the main street of Oberon usually every Friday.

you can fiond out more at Oberon Men's Shed's Facebook page.

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