National Men's Shed Week, from August 30 to September 5, will look a little different this year due to the COVID-19 lockdowns which have swept the nation.
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A week that previously contained celebrations of led by the Australian Men's Shed Association highlighted the contribution Men's Sheds make to their members' health and wellbeing, and to the wider community.
Ararat Men's Shed secretary Robert O'Connell said all plans for national Men's Shed Week were forced to be put on hold.
However, the lockdown hasn't stopped the shed's members from adhering to the fundamentals of Men's Sheds: connection, community and camaraderie.
"Whether it's through phone calls, texts or emails it's what the shed is all about."
Most of the Ararat Men's Shed time is taken up through restoration projects and community work such as making a bookshelf for the Ararat Senior Citizens Centre.
O'Connell also noted that the Ararat Men's Shed was looking at taking on a mentoring role in the community.
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"We want to get in touch with the schools in the area, particularly kids that are dropping out of school or who are disengaging from school and guide them on the right path," he said.
According to the Australian Men's Shed Association, most men feel through Australian culture men don't talk about feelings and emotions and many do not take an interest in their own health and well-being.
AMSA said Men's Shed was so special because it provided a safe and busy environment where men can contribute to their community, connect with friends and maintain an active body and mind in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mate ship with no pressure.
The AMSA claims staying socially connected is vitally important and to to use encourages the use of technology to help maintain social connectedness.
"The pandemic has certainly got in the way of Shedders getting together in person as much as they'd like to over the last eighteen months," said Australian Men's Shed Association Chairman Paul Sladdin.
"Men's Sheds around the country have found ways to stay in touch and to support their mates by other means and that's what we're celebrating this year."
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Since 1998, Men's Sheds have played an important role in providing men with a place to go, a community to belong to and mates that make it all worthwhile.
Now over 1200 Men's, Women's and Community Sheds support thousands of communities around Australia, and the world.
As a community, it only takes one conversation with a neighbour, to start a friendship to decrease social isolation.
Find your local shed at mensshed.org.
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