Return of the Shed

Well, exciting news! The Scone Neighbourhood Centre has been fortunate enough to be offered funding through the Federal Government's Community Investment Program to continue the project for another twelve months.

For those of you not familiar with the Virtual Shed Project, a bit of background information is in order. This project, which has been successfully operating in the Upper Hunter since August 2007 has its basis in two things - the Men's Shed movement sweeping Australia and the recognition that men, particularly those in rural Australia, can benefit from an opportunity to gather with each other in a safe, welcoming environment where they can share their experiences, stories, skills and wisdom in a supportive way. I guess "bringing back mateship" is the core aim of communal men's sheds and indeed of the Virtual Shed Project.

The Virtual Shed project has organised numerous activites, workshops and functions across the Upper Hunter featuring guest speakers, local identities, General Practitioners and service groups.

Over the next twelve months we will be continuing to offer these opportunities for men to have a night out and forget the day to day grind. But there will be a difference this time around - one outcome we hope to achieve is the establishment of an actual Men's Shed - or at the very least, have processes in place, find community champions, bring business and the corporate sector on board and involve interested men in setting a solid foundation for the creation of at least one (preferably a cluster) of Sheds in the Upper Hunter.

This blog will be used to inform, promote and instruct about the progress of the project, upcoming events, share ideas and offer information of general interest to Upper Hunter Sheddies so feel free to get involved.