By Bonny Burrows
Homelessness, prostate cancer and family violence were some of the many topics discussed at the West Gippsland’s Men’s Shed Cluster on 16 February.
Hosted by the Cardinia Men’s Shed, about 60 men from men’s sheds across the West Gippsland area came together at Living Learning Pakenham to hear how they could collaboratively work together to help their communities.
Not just a discussion between the men, the group was joined by Member for Bass Brian Paynter, Cheryl Daly of Pakenham crisis centre the 4Cs and urologist Shekib Shahbaz who each gave their own presentations.
Mr Paynter gave a short speech on how men’s sheds were “the heart and soul of the community”.
“I’m committed to men’s sheds. I just love the concept,” Mr Paynter said.
“They’re good for staying active, they’re good for the mental health side of things and they’re good for the community.”
Ms Daly discussed the challenges faced by the crisis centre, including combating the area’s food security, homelessness and family violence rates, and the men showed a keen interest in helping the not-for-profit out.
“However, how we do that, we need to work as a cluster to come up with a methodology,” Cardinia Men’s Shed President Geoffrey Fluck said.
Mr Shekib Shahbaz of Monash Health and St John of God Berwick gave an interactive discussion on three common men’s health issues – voiding problems, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.
Cardinia Men’s Shed secretary Ken Hordern said the day provided an opportunity for the men’s sheds to share ideas, while also learning how to take care of themselves and their community.
Men’s shed groups in attendance included the Bunurong Men’s Shed Pakenham, Emerald, Yarragon, Inverloch, Warragul and the Pines Community Mens Shed, based in Frankston.
