Farewell to the Virtual Shed

Saturday 5 June at the Scone Bowling Club will see the final ever Virtual Shed function being held from 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start.

The Final Shed will feature Broderick Smith & Matt Taylor performing. Broderick was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2009 as a member of “The Dingoes” – famous for their country/rock anthem “Way Out West”. Broderick has a long history as a performer and has released fifteen albums to date, nine under his own name, recording both here in Canada and the US. He has recorded with Cat Stevens, Jimmy Barnes, Steve Cropper, The Memphis Horns, Buffy Saint Marie, Ted Egan, Tommy and Phil Emmanuel. The list goes on and on.

An artist of this calibre rarely comes to Scone, so make sure you don’t miss out. Phone the Scone Neighbourhood Centre on 6545 2562 to secure your booking.

Entry is a gold coin donation and finger food/bar snacks will be provided.

After three years the funding provided by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has ended. This funding has been a huge boon to the Scone Neighbourhood Centre and the men of the Upper Hunter who have benefited from the many events, workshops and functions we have held.
Over the three years I have seen a real increase in awareness of some of the major health issues affecting men - especially men in a community that has been hit hard by drought and economic downturn.

Over three years I have seen men show an increased willingness to share the problems that affect them, take charge and seek help from the professional services on offer, gain an understanding that there is no shame in asking for help and become involved in activities that strengthen their families and communities.

We have received amazing support from many individuals, community groups, not-for-profit agencies, local, state and federal government agencies and service clubs. There are too many to name; but their support has been invaluable in making the Virtual Shed the success it has been.

This will be a men's only function - so show your support and book now!

Mens' Shed Committee

Exciting stuff is happening with the Men's Shed in the Upper Hunter.

One thing we've been trying to achieve through the Virtual Shed Project is generate interest in the formation of a committee willing to take responsibility for getting a permanent Communal Men's Shed happening in or near Scone. The Upper Hunter is sorely lacking in this sort of community asset with only the one functioning Shed in Merriwa.

Late March saw the first meeting of a group of interested men wanting to make this a reality in other parts of the Upper Hunter Shire. Since then, three more meetings have been held each Friday at the Scone Neighbourhood Centre seeing a Steering Committee formed.

Over these meetings, some great energy has been shown with ideas flying thick and fast about how to make this all happen. Committee members have been active in following up leads, exploring options and getting their heads around the formalities of getting a Shed for men to participate in.

Strong interest in the Men's Shed has been shown not only by the men involved in the project, but several other Community Groups in the district who are very interested in working in partnership with the Men's Shed on future projects. This support is great to see.

For the Men's Shed to become a reality and sustain itself over the years to come it will need support from all quarters and in particular, involvement from men across the Shire - if not in the planning, at the very least in becoming a member or taking advantage of the opportunity to have a cuppa.

If you want to become involved, or just learn more about what's being planned, feel free to contact Bernie at the Scone Neighbourhood Centre (02 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.