september 2017 men’s shed week celebrates sheds …...with fair dinkum sheds. not only does fair...

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017

The SHEDDER The official newsletter of the Australian Men’s Shed Association www.mensshed.org

The

Shedder September 2017

Men’s Shed Week celebrates sheds doing local good

Let’s get together to tell Australia about how Men’s Sheds

create stronger communities through local partnerships

and community collaborations.

Men’s Shed Week is our annual time to focus government,

corporate partners, media and the community on the benefits

and positive contributions Men’s Sheds make to the Australian

community.

At the Australian Men’s Shed Association, we’re really proud

of the work undertaken throughout the Men’s Shed network –

the achievements and benefits of Men’s Sheds for members

and communities are immeasurable. So, we’ve dedicated an

entire week to celebrating all things Men’s Sheds.

This year, AMSA celebrates ten years of operation – so we’re

in the mood to celebrate! But Men’s Shed Week is about you,

so the theme of Men’s Shed Week, Doing Local Good, aims to

showcase the great work you do.

Monday 25 September to Sunday 1 October 2017 is our

chance to officially recognise the extraordinary work of Men’s

Sheds and demonstrate the tangible contributions made by

Men’s Shed members to their communities.

Our role in Men’s Shed Week is to share stories with national

partners, government and media to enhance your local

efforts. We will distribute media releases and share stories

online, as well as assist you in any way we can to make your

celebration a success.

To fit in with this year’s Men’s Shed Week theme – we are

encouraging you to hold events and activities that incorporate

representatives from your local council, community

organisations and/or local businesses.

Invite these people into your shed to learn more about what

you do and to forge stronger relationships for the benefit of

the entire community.

This is a great chance for you to talk with councils and local

businesses, to establish connections and to find ways that you

can work together in the future.

There are many different types of events or activities you

might plan to hold – we’ve made a few suggestions but can’t

wait to see what you come up with!

The Men’s Shed Week toolkit (available on the AMSA website)

provides individuals, Men’s Sheds and organisations with

access to materials they can use to promote Men’s Shed

Week.

When you’re organised, tell us about your event so we can

help promote it on our Men’s Shed Week activities page on

the AMSA website. A limited supply of Men’s Shed Week flyers

are available from AMSA—contact us today to order.

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


David Helmers, Executive Officer

September celebrations

Hello shedders,

September brings us lots of things to celebrate.

This month we launch our second annual Men’s Shed Week. This year’s theme Doing Local Good aims to showcase the great work you do beyond the shed – contributing to building stronger communities.

Doing Local Good gives us a chance to capture the attention of partners, government representatives from all levels and the broader community, to show them just how important Men’s Sheds are to local communities across the country.

I encourage you to take the opportunity to showcase what you do during the week. The AMSA team have put together a toolkit for you to use, and are always here to help.

We’ll close out Men’s Shed Week at our Cabot’s 7th National Men’s Shed Conference in sunny Surfers Paradise. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to meet and talk with many of you.

With only 24 days to go, places are filling fast so we’ve decided to give you the opportunity to help us sell out by offering Men’s Shed registrations at early bird prices. If you haven’t registered yet – take a look at this year’s excellent program and register for what will be a great few days.

From a health perspective, this month is also full of reminders.

Thursday 14 September is R U OK? Day. I recently attended the Canberra pit stop of R U OK?’s Conversation Convoy, and was reminded of the importance of the simple act of checking in with our mates.

In the 2016 Siggins Miller Evaluation and our 2017 Annual Men’s Shed Survey, you told us that you’d like to see more from us in the mental health space. So we’ve been working in the background to forge partnerships with organisations like R U OK? to deliver more mental health information and initiatives to you.

This week (4 -10 September) also marks National Stroke Week, promoted by the Stroke Foundation. Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability in Australia, but the good news is that more than 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented. Small changes like a regular health check, maintaining a healthy diet, daily exercise or reducing salt can make a huge difference.

This month the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is turning Australia blue for international Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The PCFA are great partners of ours, and contribute a great deal to many of your Spanner in the Works? health events. You can get behind their message by encouraging your mates outside the shed to talk to their doctor about being tested at their next check up.

Partnerships-wise, we have been able to build our work in this area to enable us to bring you more shed and health initiatives for your benefit.

As I mentioned in the last edition of The Shedder, we have partnered again with Garage Sale Trail. The Garage Sale Trail weekend is a great opportunity to connect with your community and do a bit of fundraising. Why not give the shed a spring clean and raise some money at the same time?!

We’ve recently renewed our national partnership with Fair Dinkum Sheds. Not only does Fair Dinkum Sheds offer you a great deal on new sheds and extensions, they’re also sponsoring a program of regional events over the coming 18 months. So we’ll be on the road soon!

Fair Dinkum Sheds have been a long-time supporter of Men’s Sheds and continue to help us work nationally and at a grassroots level so that Australian men can get the best out of their shed experience.

Last but not least, I’m happy to announce that we’re finalising a new partnership with Uncle Tobys – specifically to invest in the health and wellbeing of shedders and communities in the Riverina and Indigo Shires.

Yours in shedding, David

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


South Brisbane Men’s Shed:

A space for dads of kids with autism

Men's Sheds come in all shapes and sizes, with all sorts of activities and avenues of support. Tucked away on Brisbane's southside, a group of small sheds is giving men with children on the autism spectrum a place to meet, socialise and support each other. South Brisbane Men's Shed is the first in Australia to have a special interest group for dads, brothers, uncles and grandfathers of children with autism. In partnership with the Department of Education & Training Autism Hub, the shed allows men to get together once a week to gain information, but also to relax around people experiencing similar circumstances at home. The shed, which opened in April, is not your typical Men's Shed — there is the usual workshop element, but it also houses a pool room, computers, art easels and a small library. Scott Slade from Fathers of Autistic Children Together (FACT) was a driving force behind the project. He has a 15-year-old son with autism and said the shed allowed him to seek the support of others. "It allowed fathers to talk about their shared experiences," he said. "It can be tough on the family, and my wife was more in tune with my son and the challenges he faced and it can be really hard. "It can also lead to frustration and there are a large number of families that experience breakdowns or separation due to having children that are on the spectrum." Mr Slade said being able to have a meeting place for the FACT group helped break down barriers among the "blokes". "We talk to each other and offer ways that could work for one father from another father and it gives a better understanding for the child's and partner's requirements," he said. Together with the Men's Shed members, the group does a variety of activities including ukulele lessons, open mic nights and celebrations around the State of Origin. "It's exciting to come in on Friday night and catch up with the

dads and it gives us a chance to socialise together," Mr Slade said. He said the feedback, the support from the local community and the success of the shed was a concept he wanted to take further. "We want to take this concept and replicate it across Queensland and across the country," Mr Slade said. "Now that the testing is getting more prevalent it's important that opportunities like this exist." "It's a wonderful way for us to support these men, and through talking with the men I've been able to connect with my adult son more now too," he said. "I love coming here and the diversity of men here is great as we have men from all over the world and different professions. "You learn so much from other people and I'm a firm believer that you're never too old to keep learning." Secretary of the South Brisbane Men's Shed Norbert Gaulton said the group enjoyed teaming up with the Autism Hub to offer them a place to come together. "It's a wonderful way for us to support these men, and through talking with the men I've been able to connect with my adult son more now too," he said. "I love coming here and the diversity of men here is great as we have men from all over the world and different professions. "You learn so much from other people and I'm a firm believer that you're never too old to keep learning." Hear more from the South Brisbane Men’s Shed at the Cabot’s 7th National Men’s Shed Conference. Together with the Department of Education & Training Autism Hub, representatives from the shed will share insights into their journey as part of the Shed Presentations sessions. Take advantage of the special registration offer for Men’s Sheds and book your spot at the Cabot’s 7th National Men’s Shed Conference today! Original article by ABC Radio Brisbane: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-04/first-mens-shed-dedicated-to-dads-

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


A brilliant weekend by Baradine Rusty Club Liz MacDonald, AMSA Shed Development

Baradine, a small rural town with a population 600, is 45 kilometres north-west from Coonabarabran in NW NSW and is the gateway to the vast forest of The Pilliga. The Baradine Rusty Club (Men’s Shed) were successful in securing a Round 14 National Shed Development grant to plan and deliver a Men’s Health Expo on Saturday 26 August. The aim of the event was to provide shedders with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and information, network, participate in men’s health seminars and workshops, health checks, visit information stands, and talk to health professionals, community and government agencies. Over 60 people attended the event including visiting services, shedders, AMSA staff, NSW Men’s Shed Association

representatives, the Deputy Mayor of the Warrumbungle Shire Council and a representative from the AMSA Board

and Australian Department of Health .

Visiting Sheds included Manilla, Coonabarabran, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Maitland, Narrabri, Coolah, Dunedoo, Gulgong, Cessnock, Cardiff and Coonamble.

ABOVE John Sharples (AMSA Board/NSW

MSA), Stephen Sweeny (Department of

Health) & Liz MacDonald (AMSA)

ABOVE Shedders get ready for a great meal cooked up by Gayle and her team of quality chefs.

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


The weekend’s program included:

Red Cross ‘Save a Mate’

The Salvation Army ‘An overview of services’

Alzheimer's Australia ‘Healthy Brain Ageing’, Q&A and ‘The Memory Van’

Legacy ‘Services for veterans’ and their family’

Warrumbungle Shire Council ‘Licensing system for older drivers, laws around mobility scooters,

general road safety tips for 65+ age group and crash stats in Western NSW’

The Stroke Foundation ‘A personal story’

Shed Roll Call

AMSA Q & A

The BERT Blokes Educational Rural Trailer - Baradine Local Health District health screening/checks

The Australian Hearing Kiosk

Displays from Baradine Progress Association, SES & Baradine Local Aboriginal Council

Bruce Evans from the Rusty Club entertained with a power saw & log cutting demonstration

The CWA offered a Wonderful Women’s Workshop for visiting wives and partners. A huge thank you goes to Troy Carey, Baradine Rusty Club Shed President and the Rusty members who organised a

fabulous weekend.

A special thank you also goes to the amazing Gayle and her hardworking team who provided non-stop delicious

food from Friday night dinner through to Sunday breakfast.

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


From rolling emerald-green hills to charming castles and frothy Guinness, this nine-day tour lets you experience the best of Ireland in 2018.

Tour operator Collette is now offering 10% off the regular price, available to Men’s Shed members. The tour begins in Kingscourt, the heart of Irish whiskey territory, with a

visit to a distillery. Highlights over the coming days include the historic city

of Waterford and its famous crystal factory, the stunning 700-foot Cliffs of

Moher and cruising along the rugged coast line of the Ring of Kerry. Be

sure to kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, and gain the gift of

eloquence. You'll also sail in a traditional boat along a lake in Killarney’s

national park. The tour concludes in Dublin, which boasts an enticing

combination of culture, art, history, and of course, a pub or two.

What’s included:

Eight nights in 4-star hotels, including one in an Irish castle

The services of a professional tour manager and local guides

Most excursions, including fully guided walking tours

13 meals: eight breakfasts and five dinners

Transportation in an air-conditioned deluxe motor coach

Chauffeur-driven return airport transfers FREE for guests within 40kms of an Australian international airport

WAS $2,989 NOW $2,689

The reduced price is per person, based on twin share, on departure dates May-September 2018. Please enquire for pricing of other dates. Book by 31 September 2017 to receive the special offer. Flights can also be added, just ask Collette for a quote.

Call 1300 792 195 or visit gocollette.com.au for more details!

See Ireland, the way you’ve always wanted!

Collette Travel

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


On the Thursday 27 July we had a cake prepared by

Erica Dagger presented to Valentine Starkey, the eldest

Booleroo & Districts Men’s Shed member, with the ritual

cutting and singing of Happy Birthday.

Valentine's only request was "Why was he born so

beautiful?" be sung.

Valentine enjoys coming to the shed and likes nothing

better than to have a chat and catch up with fellow

shedders, and has some very interesting tales to tell.

Valentine has always, and continues to, describe his long

life only in positive terms.

He is a proud man, who is proud to have been a soldier.

The majority of his active service being spent in the

Middle East and New Guinea where he served as staff

sergeant in the 2/5th AGH (Australian General Hospital).

His original stomping ground was Gosford on the east

coast of New South Wales, but after the war he moved

to South Australia so his new war bride could be near to

her family. For 70 years he was a devoted husband to

Joy.

Valentine has always been a family man with a passion

for fishing, gardening and singing, and was a hard-

working provider for his wife and three children.

Still a man on the move, in June this year he journeyed

home to NSW to celebrate his sister and cousin’s 100th

birthdays. He likes something to look forward to and

often asks, ‘where are we going next?’.

A man of equanimity and kindness, Valentine is aptly

living this part of his life in the War Veterans’ Home at

Myrtle Bank. He remains always ready for a joke, a glass

of red wine and a song.

Celebrating 98 years young at the shed Dave Wingrove, Booleroo & Districts Men’s Shed

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


Thurgoona Men’s Shed helps to take

conservation to the next level

Every time Sam Niedra checks his emails, he’s hoping to see a photo of a squirrel glider, captured by one of 15 motion sensor cameras installed in nest boxes across Thurgoona. He’s awaiting the first photo – the specialty boxes have only been set up for a month, and it takes the small marsupials some time to chew the opening to the right size and make a nest inside. But the cameras going live marked major progress in the Albury Conservation Company’s campaign to monitor and protect the species. Mr Niedra, the ACC co-ordinator, said more than 600 hollow-bearing trees had been mapped across Thurgoona-Wirlinga in the past two years, with the new boxes to add another piece to the puzzle. “We already know squirrel gliders are in the area; what we need to find out is how the population is tracking across the landscape,” he said. “There’s varying reports of how quickly squirrel gliders occupy nest boxes, and if these work, one of the things they will tell us is how long it takes them to occupy boxes.” Bruce Dyce is not so quietly confident the nest boxes will provide results.

The Thurgoona Men’s Shed president and his members have been creating nest boxes for the ACC since 2013 and after creating more than 500 for a range of groups across the region, have it down to a fine art. “After we made about 100 two years ago, Sam went around and tested ten boxes with his pole camera,” Mr Dyce said. “Out of the 10, four had squirrel gliders living in them and in three other boxes they’d been in there and set up nests. “That was basically a 70 per cent success rate.” A number of alterations have been made to better attract the species – rubber baffles have stopped birds and feral bees getting in and mesh has been installed to help the gliders grip. Mr Dyce said it took five tries to get the camera boxes perfect – linked to the Telstra 3G network, they show in real-time what is happening inside – and being solar-powered, the design could be a “world first”. “The solar cells are a bit of a problem in the fog, but other than that, it’s working pretty well,” he said. The 15 camera nest boxes were made possible by a $15,000 grant from the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.

ABOVE Thurgoona Men’s Shed president Bruce has helped design the solar-powered camera nesting box . Picture: James Wiltshire, The Border Mail

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


For Mr Niedra to be able to do more, with a long-term monitoring plan, he will need support. “These camera nest boxes will be part of the broader monitoring plan, but the key element will be motion-sensor cameras that are put up ideally two times of the year at 80 to 100 sites,” he said. “That’s our challenge currently; finding sufficient funds.” Mr Niedra said research and planning was the make-or-break for nest box success. “Where a lot of organisations and groups get it wrong is in lack of monitoring and maintenance,” he said. “We don’t want to sit around a table talking bout it, we want to start rolling out this plan.” Squirrel gliders were once the most common type of possum living on flat, fertile country like the land around Burrumbuttock and Wirlinga. That’s no longer the case. But researchers are seeing indications of an increase in populations, particularly across the NSW South-West slopes. Damian Michael, an ANU senior research officer and board director of the Albury Conservation Company, said this extended to the Border, with data on exact numbers growing. “We know from the nest boxes we have in Thurgoona, we do have a pretty good population of squirrel gliders,” he said. “They are susceptible to the loss of hollow-bearing trees, which is occurring.” ACC mapping – provided to Albury Council – shows the highest-density of hollow-bearing trees can be found at Bells Travelling Stock Reserve. But at 3.5 trees per hectare, it’s still below the NSW government’s own benchmark for undisturbed woodland, of at least seven per hectare. Dr Michael said this woodland, and regenerating bush, was habitat that couldn’t be substituted for anything. “A lot of nest boxes are placed in forward tree plantings and it’s these FTPs that are getting removed for development,” he said. As ACC co-ordinator Sam Niedra says, “if we start talking about nestboxes as a solution, we are kidding ourselves”. Contact Thurgoona Men’s Shed to find out more about their nesting box design. Original article by The Border Mail: http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/4778049/squirrel-glider-project-breaks-ground/

ABOVE David Cunningham hard at work assembling a nesting

box.

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


Time for a Spring clean?

Join Australia’s biggest Garage Sale Trail!

Reuse, fundraise, connect with your community and recruit new members!

We’re excited to announce that the Australian Men’s Shed Association is once more partnering with Garage Sale Trail, Australia’s biggest reuse and community event. The partnership seeks to provide an opportunity for Men’s Sheds to fundraise as well as recruit members and build community awareness around the important role Men’s Sheds play across the country.

Originally launched as a local grass roots initiative in Bondi Beach in 2010, Garage Sale Trail has since grown into a national movement supported by 150 Councils and involving over 350,000 participating Australians.

In 2016, the event saw over 2.1 million items listed for reuse.

Two Western Australian Men’s Sheds, Yanchep Community Men’s Shed & Station Street Men’s Shed, have been the first to register for this year’s Garage Sale Trail which is taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October 2017.

AMSA Executive Officer David Helmers noted that, “2017 marks the third year of AMSA’s partnership with Garage Sale Trail.”

He further said, “through participation in Garage Sale Trail, Men’s Sheds have the opportunity to recycle and repurpose items that are donated or no longer needed and at the same time fundraise and interact with the community.

“We hope to see around 200 Men’s Sheds get involved across the country.”

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


ABOVE Ipswich Men’s Shed Garage Sale 2016 (Queensland)

Fact & figures on the Trail

Registration is free at garagesaletrail.com.au

Host your sale on Saturday 21 October, Sunday 22 October or do both!

10,000+ forecast garage sales & stalls nationally

350 000+ participants expected nationally

“It's a truly natural partnership for us,” commented Garage Sale Trail Co-Founder Darryl Nichols who said that it gave Men’s Sheds an opportunity to “be part of a national community event to fundraise for their shed and connect with their local community in a fun and social way.”

In Rockhampton, the AFS Men’s Shed raised over $1,000 through their Garage Sale Trail participation in 2016. They were interviewed twice on local radio and also received a number of new membership enquiries. Not bad for simply hosting a garage sale!

To register your shed or find out more visit www.garagesaletrail.com.au

Sheds that register prior to Friday 15 September will receive a FREE goodie pack including posters, price tags and other promotional materials to help advertise their sale.

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


National Men’s Shed Conference registration

offer to celebrate Men’s Shed Week

The Onwards & Upwards conference program will give you

insights and experiences to make your Men’s Shed an even

greater place.

With everything from shed workshops, health sessions to a shed

leaders session, there’s something for every shedder!

Visit www.dcconferences.com.au/mensshed2017

to take a look at the conference program.

This year our National Men’s Shed Conference will also bring a close to Men’s Shed Week (25 Sept – 1 Oct 2017), during which we’re also celebrating 10 years of the Australian Men’s Shed Association.

To celebrate, from today we’re offering Men’s Sheds conference registration at the early bird rate! That means

Men’s Shed members can register today, at the early bird price. Don’t miss out, book your spot today!

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


Last month more than 130 men in Mount Gravatt were checked to see whether they had a “Spanner in the Works”.

This is the name of a program developed by the Australian Men’s Shed Association. The program was used at a

Men’s Health Expo run by Mount Gravatt Men’s Shed. The idea of the program is to compare maintaining men’s

health to vehicle maintenance. To continue the analogy, during the Expo several vintage cars were parked outside

the Community Hall at Mount Gravatt Showgrounds.

The Community Hall was transformed for the Expo. The Upper Hall was turned into a lecture theatre where short

talks were given by representatives from 10 different organisations dealing with various medical conditions such as

lung cancer, prostate cancer, arthritis, and mental health.

Around the walls of the Upper Hall were tables where men could have individual meetings with organisation

representatives. The Lower Hall was transformed into a consultation area where the men filled in Spanner in the

Works? health questionnaires. Each man then discussed the results of his individual questionnaire with a student

paramedic from Queensland University of Technology. The students provided each man with recommendations

about what he could do to maintain and improve his health.

The Health Expo was central to the focus on health at Mount Gravatt Men’s Shed. The Shed is a registered health

promotion charity and its main objective is to improve the health and wellbeing of men aged 18 years or older and

reduce the number of men who are at risk from preventable health issues that may originate from isolation.

The Shed environment allows members to talk informally with other members about their health issues and

concerns. In a more formal approach, the Shed organises guest speakers on men’s health issues at monthly

lunchtime meetings and at occasional longer events like last month’s Health Expo.

ABOVE Men’s Shed member John Bennett discusses his questionnaire results with QUT student Alexandra Photo: Colin Gillies

Spanner in the Works? success at Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed David Crossley, Mount Gravatt Men’s Shed

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is asking Australia to get involved and help create awareness and raise the much needed funds to help in the fight against prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia with 20,000 diagnosis and close to 3,300 deaths each year.

What can you do to help?

Encourage your mates outside the shed to get checked next time they’re at the GP for a check-up.

Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know—Ask the Experts webcast

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) will be presenting our next Ask the Experts webcast - Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know on Wednesday 20 September 7.00pm (AEST).

Join us during International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month for this free, online Q&A webcast as our panel of leading health experts answer your questions about prostate cancer - from risk factors and diag-nosis through to treatment and management of side effects. This webcast will also explore how to navi-gate the different options presented after a diagnosis and the services available to men and their families.

Registration is free, and all questions will be anonymous so if you have a tricky question about your situa-tion that you have not been able to ask – here is your chance.

For further information and to register go to www.pcfa.org.au/asktheexperts

http://www.pcfa.org.au/asktheexperts

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


Mates Helping Mates

A great way to increase awareness of prostate cancer within your shed is by hosting a PCFA Ambassador

speaker to visit. With over 20,000 men in Australia diagnosed every year, prostate cancer is an important

issue for men and their families to be aware of.

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is a broad-based community organisation and the peak

national body for prostate cancer in Australia. As part of PCFA’s commitment to increasing prostate

cancer awareness in the Australian community, the Ambassador Program to provide information, peer to

peer. Ambassadors are trained community volunteers who present information on prostate cancer and

also discuss their own personal cancer experience, as well as answering questions from the audience.

Ambassador speakers are available as a free resource to all Men’s Sheds,

and PCFA can also provide a range of information and resources.

Hosting a speaker at your shed can be educational, engaging, and even fun. Some sheds like to host an

informal morning tea, inviting an Ambassador along, or even host an Information Evening for the local

community. A Men’s Shed in NSW who recently hosted an event commented,

“Having an Ambassador come into our shed was fantastic. The blokes were really engaged, and a lot of

questions were asked. He spoke very professionally but also provided important information on a level

that was easy to understand. We would definitely recommend the Ambassador Program to other Men’s

Sheds.”

PCFA recommends that men over the age of 50, or over the age of 40 with a family history, should talk to

their doctor about prostate cancer as part of their regular health check-up.

If you would like to learn more about PCFA and hosting an Ambassador at your local shed, please contact

[email protected] or call 1800 22 00 99.

For more information on the resources and services available, visit pcfa.org.au

mailto:[email protected]

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


Australian Men’s Shed Association Executive Officer David

Helmers joined AMSA Patron the Governor General Sir

Peter Cosgrove and R U OK? in August as the Conversation

Convoy pulled into Canberra.

R U OK?’s inaugural Conversation Convoy is a 14,000km

road trip aimed at showing Australian communities

everyone’s got what it takes to support those struggling

with life.

On Wednesday 30 August, the four car entourage pulled

into Canberra on the final legs towards R U OK? Day on 14

September in Cairns (Queensland).

The Conversation Convoy builds on the question “are you

ok?” by reinforcing the four steps to a conversation.

Empowering Australians to ask, listen, encourage action

and check in.

Thanks to the Audi Foundation, the four yellow SUV’s each

represent one of the conversation steps.

“Sometimes the toughest of conversations happen within

the walls of Men’s Sheds. It’s important to us as a national

association to encourage shedders to feel comfortable to

ask their mates: ‘are you ok?’,” said Mr Helmers.

AMSA serves the Australian Men’s Shed community,

driven by the aspiration to give all Australian men the

opportunity to improve their health and wellbeing

through participation in the Men’s Shed movement.

“Supporting positive mental health and wellbeing

outcomes in Men’s Sheds is a key priority for us,

particularly with male suicide still at alarmingly high rates

across the country,” said Mr Helmers.

The R U OK? Conversation Convoy aims to inspire every

Aussie, no matter their location, to invest more time in the

people around them and give them the skills, motivation

and confidence to start a conversation with anyone they

may be worried about.

Find out more about R U OK? Day and your nearest

Conversation Convoy stop at ruok.org.au.

AMSA join R U OK? on Canberra Conversation

Convoy pit stop

ABOVE L TO R: David Helmers, Peter Chamberlain (The Chamberlain Foundation) and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove

pose with one of the four Conversation Convoy vehicles.

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


This National Stroke Week, the Stroke Foundation is aiming to ensure every Australian household has someone who knows the signs of stroke and to call 000. Share the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke with your friends, family and colleagues - the life you save could be your own. Just by knowing the signs of stroke makes you part of the F.A.S.T. Response Team. Time is critical in treating stroke. Paramedics, nurses and doctors can only help if you join the FAST Response Team and dial 000 at the first sign of stroke. A stroke is always a medical emergency. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke related brain damage. Emergency medical treatment soon after symptoms begin improves the chance of survival and successful rehabilitation. Facial weakness, arm weakness and difficulty with speech are the most common symptoms or signs of stroke, but they are not the only signs. Other signs of stroke may include one, or a combination of:

Weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on either or both sides of the body

Difficulty speaking or understanding

Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall

Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes

Headache, usually severe and abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches

Difficulty swallowing The signs of stroke may occur alone or in combination and they can last a few seconds or up to 24 hours and then disappear. When symptoms disappear within 24 hours, this episode may be a mini stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA). If you or someone else experiences the signs of stroke, no matter how long they last, call 000 immediately.

Think F.A.S.T and act FAST this National Stroke Week

https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Treatment-for-stroke/Early-treatment-after-a-stroke

https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Types-of-stroke/Effects-of-stroke

https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Types-of-stroke/Transient-Ischaemic-Attack-TIA

https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Types-of-stroke/Transient-Ischaemic-Attack-TIA

https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Stroke-symptoms/What-to-do-while-you-wait-for-an-ambulance

The SHEDDER

SEPTEMBER 2017


Amateur Radio is a hobby enjoyed by around one and a half million operators across the world and provides enjoyment, mental stimulation, technical challenges (if you desire) and a unique camaraderie with fellow operators of all experience levels.

Disability is no barrier - there are many vision impaired operators for example and the hearing impaired can converse using text modes. Knowledge and use of Morse Code is no longer required.

Calling all amateur

radio operators!

As a third of Australian adults only dream of getting a good night’s rest, University of Newcastle researchers are conducting a nationwide clinical trial designed to improve sleep quality amongst those aged 40-65.

In the REFRESH Study, Associate Professor Mitch Duncan and his team from the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Cardiovascular Program are investigating whether regular physical activity is the key to a sound kip and greater wellbeing.

“Many sleep treatments tell people to do physical activity, but they don’t provide the support needed to get active and stay active. REFRESH gives this support, which we hope translates to more activity and better sleep. With REFRESH, we want to help people by focusing on changing their behaviour, both day and night, by using the latest science and technology,” Associate Professor Duncan says.

The intervention includes a special smartphone app called “Balanced”, with personalised support from emails, texts and a handbook. Researchers will compare the effectiveness of a sleep plus increased physical activity intervention with a sleep-only intervention.

The six month study is looking to recruit 275 people from across Australia, aged 40-65, who report poor quality sleep but don’t have a sleep disorder, and who do less than 90 minutes of physical activity per week.

Enrolment inquiries to Anna Rayward on [email protected] or (02) 4921 6057. A short eligibility survey is available at https://tinyurl.com/refreshstudy.

HMRI Sleep Study Participants:

Refreshing way to get better sleep

Expressions of interest welcome for the establishment of an Amateur Radio event similar to the many "On The Air" events in Amateur Radio - Summits On The Air, Jamboree On The Air, Mills On The Air, International Museums Weekends (effectively Museums on the Air). We could call it MSOTA - Mens Sheds On The Air for example, an annual event designed to promote Men’s Sheds around the world in association with Amateur Radio

Don’t have an Amateur Radio presence at your Men’s Shed? There would almost certainly be an Amateur Radio club, or two, in reach of most sheds with members willing to cooperate and put *your* Shed On The Air. If we form a steering committee we'll be able to identify these and put them in touch with you.

Good idea? Bad idea? "It will never work!"? Comments or queries gratefully received to Denis Brown [email protected]

https://hmri.org.au/researchers/mitch-duncan

https://hmri.org.au/research/cardiovascular

https://hmri.org.au/news-article/new-app-roach-balancing-activity-and-sleep


https://tinyurl.com/refreshstudy


september 2017 men’s shed week celebrates sheds …...with fair dinkum sheds. not only does fair...

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