National Male Health
Programs
A total of $16.7 million over four years was invested in male health programs that were designed to support the National Male Health Policy (the Policy) and build on efforts to address the priority areas identified in the Policy.
DIY Health Toolbox
The DIY Health Toolbox is a health promotion initiative under the National Male Health Policy that has been developed in consultation with Minister Snowdon’s Male Health Reference Group , the Australian Men’s Shed Association and Men’s Sheds Australia to ensure the items and health promotion messages contained in the toolbox are appropriate and useful in the shed environment.The DIY Health Toolbox is a real toolbox that contains usable items such as tape measures, carpenter’s pencils, magnetic clips and note books featuring positive health messages and referral pathways.
A limit of one free DIY Health Toolbox is available to all established Men’s Sheds that apply during the application period. To receive a free DIY Health Toolbox, a Men’s Shed must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- It is overseen by a not-for-profit community-based organisation* that is socially inclusive and opens its doors to all males wishing to participate in Shed activities, OR conforms to the above definition in all respects except that its membership is restricted to male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members for cultural purposes; AND
- The primary activity is the provision of a safe, friendly and inclusive environment where males are able to gather together and/or work on meaningful projects at their own pace, in their own time and in the company of other males; AND
- It is a purpose built facility, or a multi-purpose community or private building, used on a regular basis as Men’s Shed for the primary activity detailed above, AND the group identifies its primary purpose as being a ‘Men’s Shed’, OR in the absence of a purpose built facility, identifies as a gathering for the purposes of men’s business in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander groups.
Orders from Men's Sheds for the DIY Health Toolbox will be accepted by National Mailing and Marketing until 31 March 2012.
DIY Health Toolbox order form
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Men's Sheds
Men’s Sheds have long been recognised as meeting places where men can find social support and camaraderie. During the consultations for the National Male Health Policy there was considerable support expressed for men’s sheds for their demonstrated success in reaching marginalised and isolated males and in contributing to improvements in male health and wellbeing.General Support
The Australian Government supports the Australian Men’s Shed Association to support all Sheds in Australia. By building its administration support team, the Australian Men’s Shed Association is able to increase its support to Men’s Sheds and provide:- Professional advice and assistance about how to promote self sustainability, how to establish a Shed, and information about occupational health and safety and risk management in the Shed environment.
- Help with sourcing donations of money, buildings, equipment or land, as well as help with building approvals.
Financial Assistance
Australian Government Shed Development Program
The Australian Men’s Shed Association is funded to administer the Australian Government Shed Development Program to provide direct financial assistance to Men’s Sheds. Two funding rounds are scheduled in each of the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 financial years, with $250,000 allocated each year.All Men’s Sheds in Australia can apply for up to $10,000 across three funding categories. Currently these categories are:
1. Tools and Equipment
2. Building Maintenance and Development.
3. Shed Activities and Programs
Examples of activities that can be funded include assistance with purchasing tools and work equipment, improving disability access to sheds, insurance for sheds, and connection to utilities such as power, water, telephone and the internet. Sheds can also apply for funding to engage a shed coordinator to assist with running sheds, sourcing donations for buildings, sites, land and other funding sources and to provide professional advice on how to establish and sustain a shed, and manage occupational health and safety issues.
The priority for supporting Sheds is given to Sheds in areas of need and that meet certain criteria such as high unemployment. Precedence is also placed on establishing sheds for priority groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males; males in rural and remote areas; migrant males; and males who are socially disadvantaged.
Each funding round will also have a priority theme category that Sheds from all areas can apply for, provided that they meet the criteria (eg. Round 2 placed a high priority on Sheds located in areas significantly affected by natural disaster and Round 3 focuses on Shed sustainability).
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Funding is not available for purchasing or maintaining buildings or land.
A set of criteria for the Australian Government Shed Development Program has been developed based on these priority areas or groups and to put in place a fair process for allocation of this assistance.
Application documents are posted on the Australian Men’s Shed Association website when a funding round is open. Please note that Australian Government Shed Development Program Guidelines can change for each funding round. Interested parties wishing to apply for funding should visit the Australian Men’s Shed Association website for updates before submitting an application.
Men’s Shed Organisations in Australia
There are two peak organisations that represent Men’s Sheds in Australia:Mensheds Australia
Website: www.mensheds.com.auContact Number: (02) 9890 8351
Australian Men’s Shed Association
Website: www.mensshed.orgContact Number: 1300 550 009
