Well good evening everyone, it’s great to be here.
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Jagera and Turrbal people. I pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognise their continued connection to the land, water, and community. And I extend that respect to any First Nations people here with us tonight.
Alright, now that’s out of the way.
How good is this. A few tins in hand, a good feed coming, and a room full of blokes who’ve just wrapped up a big week. This is the part where you can finally relax a bit, put the tools down, and enjoy it.
And I’ve got to say, I’m pretty glad to be here myself. I’ve just come straight out of a full week in parliament. Long days, a lot of talking, a lot of sitting around, not much fresh air, just a bit of bullshit, so being here, catching up with people who actually get out and do things, it’s a nice change.
Now some of you would’ve seen the video I sent through at the start of the week. That’s because I’ve got the privilege of serving as the government’s Special Envoy for Men’s Health. And what that really means, in plain terms, is getting out of Canberra, getting around the country, and actually listening. Talking to blokes. Visiting sheds. Hearing what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change. Taking those real conversations back into government and making sure men’s health is actually front and centre, not an afterthought.
And I’ll tell you, you learn a hell of a lot more standing in a shed having a yarn than you ever will sitting behind a desk.
Because what you’ve all been part of this week, it matters. I just want to say thank you. Genuinely, thank you. For what you’ve built, for what you give up your time for, and for the difference you make, not just in your sheds, but in your communities and in each other’s lives.
Because when you strip it back, Men’s Sheds aren’t really about tools or timber. They’re about people. They’re about walking into a place where no one’s judging you, no one’s asking too many questions, and you can just be yourself. Grab a cuppa, or pick up a tool, or just sit down and have a chat.
I’ve been lucky in this job. I’ve travelled right around the country now and I’ve been to more than 100 sheds. And I’ll tell you what, no two are the same. Some are neat as anything. Some are a bit rough around the edges. Some have every tool you could imagine, others are making do with what they’ve got.
But they all have something in common. They’re places where blokes look out for each other. Places where you can have a laugh, talk a bit of shit, and somewhere along the way, have a proper conversation without even realising it. And that’s the beauty of it. No pressure. No big deal. Just connection.
And when you think about how far this has come, it’s pretty amazing. About 20 years ago, there were around 30 sheds in Australia. Now there are more than 1,300. That doesn’t happen by accident. That happens because people saw a need and did something about it. You built something that works. Something practical, something local, something that actually helps.
Because the reality is, a lot of men don’t always look after themselves the way they should. We put things off. We say, “Yeah, I’ll get to that next week.” We ignore things we probably shouldn’t.
About 60 percent of men wait more than a week to see a doctor when something’s not right. And a third will wait more than a month. We’ve all done it at some point. And sometimes that comes back to bite you.
Around 71 percent of men are overweight or obese. Men are more likely to have type 2 diabetes. Heart disease is still one of the biggest killers. And more than 3,500 men die every year from prostate cancer.
Now, I know no one comes to a dinner to hear a list like that. But it matters. Because those numbers are people. They’re mates, they’re family, they’re people sitting around tables like this. And too often, things could have been picked up earlier.
Then there’s mental health. And this is the one that still gets a bit awkward for some people. A lot of men just don’t reach out. Only about a quarter say they’d go and see someone if they were struggling. And nearly 1 in 4 wouldn’t talk to anyone at all.
That’s not because men don’t feel it. It’s because we’ve been taught to just get on with it. Keep it to yourself. Don’t make a fuss. But that can do more harm than good.
And this is where what happens in sheds is so important. You’re helping change that, without even making a big deal of it. You’re working side by side, having a chat, taking the piss a bit, and somewhere in there someone opens up. Might be small. Might just be a comment. But it matters. That’s how you make it easier for someone to say they’re not doing great. That’s how you chip away at that stigma.
Now from a government point of view, we see how important this is, and we’re backing it. We’ve been supporting Men’s Sheds for 16 years, and that continues.
Right now there’s 8.3 million dollars over 2 years going into sheds across Australia. That helps with upgrades, expansion, and keeping sheds going, especially in regional and remote areas. We’re also funding regional coordinators, helping connect sheds with health services, resources, and funding opportunities. Because no shed should feel like it’s on its own trying to work all this out. We’re also investing in understanding men’s health better. There’s $16 million going into the Ten to Men study, which is now the largest study of men’s health anywhere in the world.
We’re working with Movember as well, another $16 million, to improve how health care works for men and to train professionals so blokes actually feel comfortable going in and getting help. Because a lot of men walk into a clinic and don’t feel a connection, don’t feel comfortable, and don’t go back. We’ve got to fix that.
There’s also funding for the Male Health Initiative, building resources and support for men and boys. And we’re continuing strong investment in prostate cancer support, from specialist nurses to telehealth and better access to clinical trials. We’re also supporting dads, helping them feel more confident and connected from the start.
But I’ll be honest with you. Government can put money in. We can support programs and research. But we can’t build what you’ve built. That only happens because of people.
Because of the bloke who opens the shed in the morning. The one who keeps things running. The one who notices when someone hasn’t been around and gives them a call. That’s where the real impact is.
So what do we do from here.
Well, first thing. Look after yourselves. If something’s not right, go and get it checked. Move a bit more, eat reasonably well, get some sleep. Nothing fancy, just the basics.
Second. Look after your mates. Actually check in. Not just a quick “how ya going” as you walk past. Stop, listen, have the conversation.
And third. Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep building strong sheds. Keep connecting with your communities. Keep making places where blokes feel welcome.
Because that’s what builds healthy communities. Not slogans. Real places, real people, real connection.
This week has been about building healthy communities. And that’s exactly what you’re doing. Every single day.
So as we wrap up, just enjoy tonight. Have a few more tins. Have a laugh. Swap a few stories. And take a moment to be proud of what you’re part of.
Because it matters. And it’s making a real difference right across the country.
Thanks very much.