The 8th National Men’s Shed Gathering program includes something for everyone. Interactive Conference sessions will encourage delegates to come together to share their lessons, talk in depth about experiences and discover ways to grow the success of their shed.
It is certainly not just a program for Shed Leaders, we encourage all Shedders to attend!
Please click HERE for a copy of the 8th National Men's Shed Gathering Program
2019 Speakers
Aaron Kearney - 8th National Men's Shed Gathering MC
Aaron Kearney is a multi-award winning broadcaster, journalist and sports commentator with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the 44th MEAA Prodi Journalist of the Year 2011. He is a Walkley Award and four-time New York Festival World Radio Award winner, Kennedy Award finalist and is one of the few Australians to win awards for his work for television, radio and newspapers, magazines and online.
He is described by comedian Mikey Robins as "the greatest broadcaster you've never heard of" and is currently working in media consultancy, sports diplomacy and broadcast development in Australia and overseas.
He is a regular contributor to several programs on the BBC World Service and Radio Australia, an A-League Soccer/Football Commentator, has called the W-League for ABC TV and a freelance writer.
He has covered some of the world major sports events from the Olympics, to the FIFA and Rugby League World Cups and AFC Champions League and is the creator of a Sports Commentary training course used by broadcasters in Papua New Guinea and the Tiwi Islands.
‘Cape Town to Cairo – The Ultimate African Safari’ Series consisted of four one-hour documentaries following a four-wheel drive expedition the length of Africa from the Cape of Good Hope to the Mediterranean Sea. The death-defying six weeks of filming risked Kearney and his teams’ lives under extreme circumstances, dealing with everything from wildlife to rebel gangs of militia. He also completed the Kokoda Track in 2008.
Dr Joe Dunn - Psychs on Bikes
‘Psychs on Bikes’ was started entirely by accident. In 2011, Dr Joseph Dunn just wanted to ride a motorbike across the Nullarbor Plain but ended up starting a national mental health charity. There are over 200 psychologists, mental health nurses and psychiatrists on the mailing list and most of their annual ‘Big Rides’ attract more than 20 riders.
Their goals are to raise awareness about mental health and share their knowledge to help rural and regional towns.
‘Psychs on Bikes’ conduct free men’s health checks, speak to local media and engage in meetings and education sessions with colleagues, Rotary, Men’s Sheds, schools, community mental health centres and anyone who can be bothered to listen.
Why focus on mental health in the Bush?
Because the suicide rate is nearly twice what it is in the city and in the Bush people struggle to access services; de-stigmatisation of mental illness is moving in regional Australia a little too slowly, even if attitudes are changing for the better. Living in small town Australia can be a challenge. A lack of privacy in a small community, stretched healthcare services, local economies that run boom-or-bust according to the weather and commodity markets. Life in the bush can be peaceful, unpretentious and communal but it can be really tough too.
Over the years the psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health nurses riding with PoB have raised awareness, interacted with local health professionals and conducted hundreds of free men’s health checks in which we try to engage blokes in talking about not only their physical but their emotional wellbeing.
Damien Tomlinson - The Senior
Damien has worked in the capacity of commercial strategy, operations and management for ACM over the past 11 years and prior to joining ACM in 2008, was director for Bear Media, a NSW based media sales agency representing multiple inter-state publications to the Sydney market.
Damien is a keen baseball player of 40 years and in spare time tries to tick off his weekend 'to do' list from wife, Emma while chasing his three children, Bethany (11), Poppy (4) and Leo (20 months) around the yard.
Damien's professional passion is to continually strive to publishing best practices, both in traditional and digital media.
Tom Grant, Helping your Shed Be Connected: running digital skills programs
Tom recruits organisations into the Be Connected Network. He takes pride in the fact that the Be Connected Network will help Australian seniors take their first steps into the digital world. "Seniors are going to soon be at a significant disadvantage by not having the basic digitals required to navigate the online world. Knowing that I'm helping to change this give me great satisfaction."
Is your Men's Shed a place people can go to ask for help with using their phone, computer or tablet? Join over 2,500 community organisations who are delivering community-based digital skills learning. 2.5 million people in Australia don't have the basic digital skills they need to manage in today's increasingly digital world. Unfortunately people who lack digital skills face issues accessing services, applying for jobs and are at higher risk of social isolation. Men's Shed across Australia are using Be Connected to access learning resources and fund their digital skills sessions using the flexible grants program. Come to this workshop to find out how your Shed can benefit from joining the network and how your men can benefit from learning digital skills.
Gareth Williams, Legal Services Commission of South Australia
Mr Gareth Williams, Adviser of the Legal Services Commission will be speaking about Wills, Power of Attorneys and Advance Care Directives. Gareth will explain each document, what they do, their interaction with each other and why they are so important.
Michael Evans
Panel Sessions
The 2019 Men's Shed Gathering Program features a number of informative and interactive panel sessions for Shedders to attend as below, featuring well informed and experienced panel members.
Official Opening Keynote Address 'International Men's Sheds'
Barry Sheridan
Barry is the CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) that was formed in January 2011. Its mission is to support the development of the burgeoning Men’s Sheds movement throughout the island of Ireland of which there are over 400 open to men of all ages and backgrounds. The Irish Men's Sheds Association was winner of the prestigious European Citizens’ Prize in 2019 and the AONTAS STAR Award in 2017. Barry has a Master of Science, Local Development and Innovation (Dublin Institute of Technology) and a Bachelor of Science, Business and Tourism (Brunel University of London). Barry is a skilled business development and programme manager with diverse experience in local development − including social inclusion programmes supporting youth, the unemployed and those most disadvantaged. He has an excellent track record in attracting funding and sponsorship from corporates and through national and EU funding applications.
Hörður Sturluson
Hörður is a project manager at the Icelandic Red Cross and is the head of the Icelandic Men’s Sheds project. Hörður is a carpenter with a Bachelor Degree in Anthropology. The Men´s Sheds project started to develop in Iceland by the end of 2017 with the first Shed opening on 1st of June 2018. Today there are three Sheds in Iceland and, in addition, one in development.
Shed Leaders Workshop
Len Thomson
Len is a member of Men’s Shed Labrador QLD, Shed Secretary since 2009, past Secretary of the QMSA for 3 years and current AMSA Board Director representing QLD. Len was a founding member of the Shed and, prior to retirement, was involved in the stock feed manufacturing industry at varying levels of management, mostly in production roles, for 40 years.
Ian Tooke
Ian is a member of Blayney Men’s Shed NSW, inaugural Chairman of the Shed in 2007, a position he still holds; current member of the NSW Men’s Shed Association and NSW Zone 4 Volunteer. He is also a founding member of Blayney Men’s Shed and a retired School Deputy Principal (Industrial Arts).
Bob Jenkins
Bob is a member of Leschenault Men’s Shed WA and has held Committee positions of Secretary (inaugural) and President. Bob is a former teacher who moved into Training and Assessment, working for the ‘Forest Industries Training Services’ during the period of the Training Guarantee Levy in the 1990’s. He was also a former Production Manager for a timber company and Consultant (Forestry) to the then Primary Industries Training Council. He has extensive experience as a leader of sporting groups such as the Bunbury Triathlon Club, Icebergs Winter Swimming Club and Bowling and Sporting Club. Bob is the current AMSA Board Director for WA.
Growing your Shed, attracting new members & keeping them
Mick Loeckenhoff
Mick is a founding member of Murraylands Men’s Shed (Murray Bridge), past President and Treasurer, former member of SAMSA. Prior to retirement he was Manager Non Clinical Services, Mildura Base Hospital for 15 years.
Graham Barnard
Graham was as a founding member of Shed West Community Men’s Shed Brisbane in 2008, committee member and President for a term; founding member and Coordinator of Bellbowrie Men’s Shed (established 2012 as an annex of Shed West). It became an Incorporated Shed in 2018-current President. Prior to retirement, Graham was a qualified Electrical Fitter/Mechanic, 23 Years in the Military [Army] and retired as Lt Col; 15 years with QLD Govt primarily managing projects.
Geoff Curtis
Geoff has been a member of the Sunnybank Men’s Shed since 2015 and committee member since 2016. Geoff is currently the Activities Officer arranging monthly guest speakers, outings and developing activities for members. Geoff has seen the Shed membership increase from less than 50 to over 100 members. Prior to retirement Geoff was the Queensland General Manager of a $50 million privately owned company that pioneered print management in Australia. Headquartered in Sydney, he was responsible for operations in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. Geoff has also served as President of The Southside Chamber of Commerce (Brisbane), Past President of Brisbane Lions. With B.Sc. in Business Administration and an Executive MBA, Geoff has served on the Boards of The Australian Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Australia Israeli Chamber of Commerce.
Men and Wellness
Professor John Macdonald
Professor John Macdonald was born in Scotland. John has 10 years experience in Zambia in Primary Health Care and education and in 1979 John became the Director of Education for Primary Health Care in Manchester and Bristol Universities and held this role until 1996 when he took up the role of Foundation Chair in Primary Health Care at the University of Western Sydney (UWS). John is currently the Director of the Men’s Health Information & Resource Centre at UWS. He has also been a Visiting Professor of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Palestine, since 1994. During his career, John has gained advisory and teaching experience in Pakistan, Nicaragua, South Africa, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, India, Hong Kong, Senegal, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
Simon von Saldern
Healthy Male (Andrology Australia) is the Australian Centre for excellence in male reproductive health. The organisation provides evidence-based information and education to both the community and health professionals, and policy advice to Government. It brings together health and education experts from across Australia to develop strategies to raise the awareness of male reproductive health disorders and associated conditions. Simon’s diverse experience ranges from strategy and planning to communication and stakeholder engagement, sales and marketing, financial risk and compliance management. Previously, Simon was General Manager of Development and Business Services at Musculoskeletal Australia (formerly, MOVE – Muscle, Bone and Joint Health).
Glenn Poole
Glen is responsible for AMHF's work to increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of men's health issues among the health sector, policy makers, the media and the general public. He is also the founder of the Stop Male Suicide project.
Michael Evans
Michael is currently the Community Services Officer (Men's Health and Wellbeing) for the City of Playford, project manages the Playford Men's Shed, facilitates men's monthly outings, Men's Space group and group sessions on mindfulness practice. He is the current Chair of the South Australian Men's Shed Association. Michael was also a Primary Health Care Worker for SA Health.
Shed Mates
David Noakes
David is Chair of the House Committee at Bangalow Men’s Shed in Northern NSW. Prior to retirement, he had extensive experience within the welfare industry, specialising in men’s well-being in rural communities where isolation and loneliness brought with it many other challenges.
Bryce Routley
Bryce has a long involvement with Men’s Sheds- current Shed leader at Salvos Men’s Shed, Pooraka SA; assisted in establishment of and then Shed Leader at Pooraka Farm Men’s Shed; current Secretary of SA Men’s Shed Association (SAMSA); Past AMSA Board member. Bryce runs his own shop fitting and home maintenance company.
John Sharples
John was involved in the establishment of The Entrance and Bateau Bay Men’s Sheds where he was elected its first President. He is Vice Chairman of the AMSA Board, a NSWMSA Committee member, Zone Volunteer and prior to retirement, was employed for 39 years with the NSW Department of School Education – Head Teacher Industrial Arts, Inspector Schools, Manager Recruitment Promotion & Transfer, first Deputy Principal Tumbi Umbi High School NSW.
Membership - The application process, Induction, Codes of Conduct and Challenges
Mel White
Mel has worked for AMSA since 2010 and manages all things membership and insurance. She brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the Men’s Shed operations and culture.
Sean McDermott
Sean is the Senior Account Manager at Everest Risk Group and administers the AMSA Insurance Program. He has a very detailed understanding of Men’s Sheds, their operations and activities. Sean's qualifications are ANZIIF (Snr Assoc) CIP, QPIB, Dip Fin Serv (Ins Brok), Dip Fin Serv (Gen Ins).
Gordon Hill
Gordon was instrumental in calling a public meeting in 2010 at Cobar, Western NSW, which resulted in the establishment of the Copper City Men’s Shed. He has served continually as Shed Committee Secretary and Shed Coordinator since 2010, acted as funding and Project Manager for a major extension in 2014/15 and was made a Life member in 2015. Prior to retirement, Gordon was Regional Operations Manager NSW Rural Fire Service, 19 years Army Reserve, 47 years NSW Rural Fire Service, 42 years NSW State Emergency Service. Gordon was awarded the Rotary Emergency Service Community Award 2017 and the Volunteering NSW – Senior Volunteer Regional Award 2018.
Ian Stevens
Ian was a Plumber in Brisbane for fifty years until he retired in 2007. After travelling around Australia for four years, he settled in Warwick Qld. His home was nearby to the newly formed Warwick Men’s Shed and one Saturday morning he wandered over to see what was going on. He could see immediately how beneficial the Shed could be - he was asked to be Secretary after the first two meetings and has been in that position for seven years.
Working effectively within your community and Council
Michael Evans
Michael is currently the Community Services Officer (Men's Health and Wellbeing) for the City of Playford, project manages the Playford Men's Shed, facilitates men's monthly outings, Men's Space group and group sessions on mindfulness practice. He is the current Chair of the South Australian Men's Shed Association. Michael was also a Primary Health Care Worker for SA Health.
Peter Quinane
Peter has been a member of Menshed Wagga Wagga for 10 years. He has served on the Board for 8 years and been President for the past 4 years. In 2017 the Shed was honoured to be named ‘Shed of the Year’- Peter is very proud of this achievement made possible by ‘a great bunch of blokes’. Prior to retirement, Peter was involved in retailing, hospitality and was also a citrus orchardist.
Tahseen (Taz) Qadeer
Bangladesh-born Tahseen (Taz) migrated to Gippsland in 2012. Before migrating, Taz had 15 years' experience in international project development covering the south Asian region.He has been a coordinator for the Victorian charity OzChild’s School Focused Youth Program in Gippsland, working towards ensuring that at-risk young people stay engaged with their education, a researcher for a multicultural community service provider.
Tahseen has over three years’ experience working for Local Governments in Australia. He worked as Multicultural Communities Officer for Knox City Council and Community Development Officer for Baw Baw Shire Council. He is currently employed at Hume City Council as a Community Development Officer and manages Men’s Shed, the Community Garden and Neighbourhood House Projects. Recently Taz has been involved in the development of Hume Council’s Men’s Shed Policy that articulates Council’s support and commitment to Men’s Sheds in terms of development and support.
Stuart Marshall
Born and educated in England, Stuart served a 5 year mechanical engineering apprenticeship with a further 2 years study in production engineering. He emigrated to Sydney Australia in 1968 and worked for engineering companies building large pressure vessels for the mining and power house industries, later working for international companies in the fields of office equipment – printing equipment –main frame computers. He also started a successful printing business, operated a Sail Training school in Melbourne, as well as delivering yachts all around the world.
Stuart has also competed in 3 Sydney to Hobart yacht races as navigator.
Stuart started a sheep stud and then joined the Euroa Men’s Shed in 2008 – he became involved with the running of the Shed, was instrumental in building the current Shed and has held positions including President, Secretary and Coordinator. He also served on the Committee & was Secretary on State VMSA for 2 years. Stuart is the current AMSA Board Member for Victoria.