Menzshed Hawera
South Taranaki’s first Mens Shed proposed
A meeting last Saturday afternoon in the Hawera Club attracted thirty members of the public, interested in establishing a Mens Shed in the town.
Welcomed by Geoff Coubrough who, along with Peter Gulliver, has been exploring the possibilities of creating a shed in Hawera. After a period of researching the concept and visiting the Whanganui and New Plymouth sheds they had concluded the time was right to convene a meeting of interested parties to try and get a shed up and running.
Mr Coubrough, then introduced Murray Campbell, a member of the Henley Mens Shed in Masterton, to explain the background of the movement and how Mens Sheds operated. Mr Campbell opened his address by showing a video, filmed in his shed, promoting the benefits such a shed generated to not only its members, but the wider community.
He then went on to explain how, in the mid nineties in rural Australia it was realised that men over the age of 65 were committing suicide at an alarming rate. Research showed that these men, following retirement, became isolated, lonely, depressed and ultimately suicidal. They had a mental health problem. The idea was born that if a building with tools in it was made available, men came, and by working together, created new friendships, passed on and learned new skills and generally enjoyed the camaraderie which improved their health and well being.
Since then the phenomenon has spread worldwide with around 130 sheds operating in New Zealand. Murray described some of the challenges which presented themselves each day, from broken chairs to kindergartens requiring toys and equipment to be made or repaired and requests from individuals and organisations for assistance. Mens sheds are busy places.
The meeting finally elected a steering committee, headed by Geoff Coubrough, to form a Mens shed and seek a suitable building to base it in.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Paint it orange with Resene for Arthritis NZ!
Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop in November and Resene will donate $1 to Arthritis NZ!
The more orange testpots you buy, the more will be donated.