Free Community BBQs

An important facet of what the Virtual Shed project has been all about is to get the message out to men in the Upper Hunter that taking care of your health is important. That includes physical, mental, relationship and financial health.

Now, there is no denying that visits to your GP, contacting support services when in need of help and having regular checkups is vitally important. But aside from that, there is ample evidence that being actively involved in your family or community has massive health benefits too.

Social isolation can literally be deadly.

And so, in promoting healthy lifestyles for men, we believe our community BBQs are an ideal way to connect with your neighbours and community in a fun, relaxing way.

And so, the Scone Neighbourhood Centre through the Virtual Shed project is hosting free community BBQs for men in the Upper Hunter, the first of which will be at the Bunnan Hall on Saturday, April 16 from 6:30 pm.

Guest speaker at this BBQ will be Todd Andrews from the NSW Department
of Industries and Investment who will share some interesting insights into
international farming practices that should prove to be instructive.

The Bunnan BBQs have proven to be very popular in past years with a great
turnout and I look forward to the men enjoying their get-together.

Also in April, there will be a Community BBQ at the Upper Hunter Men’s Shed
located behind the Senior Citizens’ Centre in Oxford Rd, Scone. The lunch
time BBQ will be held on April 21 from 11:30 am and featuring Stuart
Torrance, Coordinator for the Hunter Cluster of Mens Sheds.

Men of all ages are invited to attend and learn more about the value of getting
involved in the growing mens shed movement across Australia.
Bookings are essential for catering purposes and can be made by phoning
the Neighbourhood Centre on 6545 2562.

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.