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MyNameIsPablo
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 06, 2007
Posts: 2455
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Nov 16, 2007 - 10:19 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Australian 'Shed' Theory. |
Click here, aussies!!
Australian men find solace in a shed
By Phil Mercer
BBC News, Sydney
Australia has come up with a novel weapon in the fight against high rates of male suicide and depression - a variation on the humble shed.
Shedders working at the North Sydney shed
The North Sydney shedders whittle all sorts - from toys to furniture
The Men's Shed movement is booming in disused warehouses and other suburban buildings, which are being transformed into havens for mostly older men to socialise.
At the last count there were 216 of them around the country and more are on the way.
Perched in between native bushland and a busy railway line is the North Sydney shed.
The former scouts' hall is a fully equipped workshop. It hums with activity and a fair dose of cheeky Aussie humour.
"We talk about all sorts of things - from cake recipes to sex - so we cover a wide field," said supervisor John Marlin, a kind-hearted bear of a man who is in his early 70s.
Supporters have insisted the workshops are a breakthrough in men's health as the informal atmosphere is encouraging them to talk more about their problems - such as depression and loneliness.
"Until I found this place I didn't realise how far I was going down," explained 80-year-old Kevin Hardacre, who was busy making environmentally-sound bird boxes.
"By being here you suddenly lift your mind up and you get better social interaction. Life becomes more funny," he said.
"Most members here are refugees from something - refugees from their own fears and frustrations."
Egalitarian sanctuary
On a warm spring's day about a dozen "shedders" are hard at it.
This is a woodwork shed which produces toys and furniture and most things in between. Other sheds specialise in metal work or run community programmes.
Ruth van Herk
We have two men out of the 20 that come on a daily basis that have been very, very close to suicide
Ruth van Herk
Charity worker
The mood among the North Sydney shedders is relaxed.
"They reckon Australian blokes don't talk - but we do," retired doctor Dick O'Reilly said.
"We solve most of the world's problems here. I just love this place and my wife loves getting rid of me for the day," explained the man affectionately known as Dr Dick.
This egalitarian sanctuary has few rules and no joining fee.
There is the occasional dust-up, according to the shed's community co-ordinator Anthony Meggitt.
"Sure, at times there are ructions and disagreements about what someone is doing and how it's being done.
"But I think everybody in here gets satisfaction from making a contribution and enjoying the interaction," he said.
'Depressed and frightened'
The sheds receive government grants and help from local councils, voluntary groups and churches.
They can provide a vital link to the outside world for older men, whose lives may have been blighted by bereavement, redundancy or ill health.
John Marlin
I don't know that too many women would want to get in here and start playing around with wood and hammers
John Marlin
Supervisor
"One of the sheds that I run, we have two men out of the 20 that come on a daily basis that have been very, very close to suicide mainly through loss of a spouse whom they may have nursed through an illness," said Ruth van Herk from Uniting Care, a Christian charity.
"These are men who are incredibly depressed and frightened of their lives and feel that there's no meaning anymore," she said.
"But they do find often a purpose again because of these sheds."
More than 2,000 Australians commit suicide on average every year - of them, 80% are men.
While the cosy surrounds of the shed are not a panacea for mental illness, they do encourage men to open up.
Women are allowed into these male strongholds but they are not generally encouraged to do so.
"At this point, as the name says, it's a men's shed," said supervisor John Marlin.
"It's agreed in the community that women are pretty well catered for.
"I don't know that too many women would want to get in here and start playing around with wood and hammers and nails and that sort of thing."
Australia's shed movement recently held its annual conference in - where else? - the Sydney suburb of Manly.
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Absolutely priceless!!!!
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Quiet - Or Papa Spank. |
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skyline5k
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 8691
Location: i am ERROR
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 16, 2007 - 10:27 AM |
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I was depressed too, till I went to the Shanghai Shed. Then the others there welcomed me in and taught me how to suppress my anger & frustration with the subtle use of alcohol!
Been great ever since! |
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C:/Dos ~ C:/Dos/Run ~ Run/Dos/Run |
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MyNameIsPablo
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 06, 2007
Posts: 2455
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 16, 2007 - 10:29 AM |
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Only been there once. But feel great ever since.
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Quiet - Or Papa Spank. |
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shanghaiceltic
Board Royalty
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 7619
Location: Perth WA
Status: Offline
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Nov 16, 2007 - 10:55 AM |
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I need to go there.... |
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I have parrallel bars at home, one for gin and one for whiskey |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6297
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 16, 2007 - 10:58 AM |
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Is it open this weekend? |
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Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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skyline5k
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 8691
Location: i am ERROR
Status: Offline
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Nov 16, 2007 - 11:01 AM |
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flifox mentioned yesterday that both he & Mat are out on business most of the day Friday, but Saturday should be fine. |
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C:/Dos ~ C:/Dos/Run ~ Run/Dos/Run |
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MyNameIsPablo
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 06, 2007
Posts: 2455
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 16, 2007 - 11:02 AM |
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I need Shed Theory.
I need to reconnect with my male peers. |
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Quiet - Or Papa Spank. |
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skyline5k
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 8691
Location: i am ERROR
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 16, 2007 - 11:21 AM |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6297
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 16, 2007 - 12:44 PM |
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| Quote: |
"These are men who are incredibly depressed and frightened of their lives and feel that there's no meaning anymore," she said.
"But they do find often a purpose again because of these sheds."
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I'm sinking fast......Helllllllllppppppppppp! |
_________________
Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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mat
Board Royalty
Joined: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 6973
Location: Loooooooooooose!
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 16, 2007 - 05:36 PM |
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The Shed will be open for the healing process all Saturday from approx 11.30am until very very early Sunday morning (which is when the male insecurity complex is at it's hardest). Pray to the men who need the shed and it's divine holiness. |
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www.justbeer.cn Get Loooooooose! |
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MyNameIsPablo
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 06, 2007
Posts: 2455
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 16, 2007 - 05:41 PM |
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_________________
Quiet - Or Papa Spank. |
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mat
Board Royalty
Joined: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 6973
Location: Loooooooooooose!
Status: Offline
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Nov 16, 2007 - 05:49 PM |
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Those 3 tools, whoever they are, are banned from The Shed. |
_________________
www.justbeer.cn Get Loooooooose! |
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CoffeeHawk_0
Board Buddha
Joined: July 14, 2005
Posts: 14444
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Nov 16, 2007 - 08:05 PM |
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what, you don't encourage men piling onto each other's backs as a form of emotional therapy, where's your heart!?!?!! See, the guy on the bottom has a really big smile. |
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Megs
Wonder Wit
Joined: Nov 12, 2005
Posts: 3822
Location: Jinshan, Shanghai China
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Nov 16, 2007 - 08:05 PM |
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Too bad those guys are Newfies and not Australians.  |
_________________
"What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence." |
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bougie
Board Buddha
Joined: Nov 20, 2004
Posts: 13323
Location: Wuhan Hubei China
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Nov 16, 2007 - 08:06 PM |
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SnappySammy
Board Legend
Joined: Nov 01, 2007
Posts: 10143
Status: Offline
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Nov 17, 2007 - 12:09 AM |
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| CoffeeHawk_0 wrote: |
| what, you don't encourage men piling onto each other's backs as a form of emotional therapy, where's your heart!?!?!! See, the guy on the bottom has a really big smile. |
Yes but the one in the middle is the lucky one. |
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Lordlunchalot
SuperStar
Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts: 1379
Status: Offline
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Nov 17, 2007 - 01:58 AM |
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Dude in the middle looks more like he is having issues with constipation than anything else. |
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thewalrus
Board Royalty
Joined: Apr 28, 2004
Posts: 7358
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Nov 17, 2007 - 11:31 AM |
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That looks like Andreas, the dude on top. |
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Andreas
Board Royalty
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6413
Location: 31 N 121 E
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Nov 17, 2007 - 12:41 PM |
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| thewalrus wrote: |
| That looks like Andreas, the dude on top. |
You are entering a slippery slope there mate! |
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If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues! |
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larrycraig
Newbie
Joined: Nov 17, 2007
Posts: 3
Status: Offline
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Nov 17, 2007 - 02:21 PM |
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What? None of them need my secret handshake? |
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thewalrus
Board Royalty
Joined: Apr 28, 2004
Posts: 7358
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Nov 17, 2007 - 07:32 PM |
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| Andreas wrote: |
| thewalrus wrote: |
| That looks like Andreas, the dude on top. |
You are entering a slippery slope there mate! |
I reckon thats your bro, or a long lost twin.
Anyone make it to the Shed today? My liver is still crying from y'day/last night. |
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Andreas
Board Royalty
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6413
Location: 31 N 121 E
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Nov 18, 2007 - 12:58 AM |
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Yeah, I was there. Where were you, you softcock? And what are you whining about your liver? That's old stuff mate. Get yourself an incinerator, and you will be all right mate. |
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If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues! |
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GeoffOz
Fire-eater
Joined: Apr 28, 2005
Posts: 2778
Location: Lost in Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Dec 04, 2007 - 10:38 PM |
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I used to have my own shed, but it was only a workshop. |
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The secrets of this Earth are not for all to see, but only for those who will seek them... |
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mat
Board Royalty
Joined: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 6973
Location: Loooooooooooose!
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Dec 21, 2007 - 11:50 AM |
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The Shed will be open the following times
Today (Friday) - from about 2pm until late tonight
Tomorrow (Saturday) - from about midday until very late
Sunday - Recovery - 2pm until 6pm or so.
Get looooooooooooose |
_________________
www.justbeer.cn Get Loooooooose! |
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SirFiddler
Board Legend
Joined: Mar 30, 2004
Posts: 11445
Location: Very close to a bottle of chilled Boags
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Dec 21, 2007 - 11:53 AM |
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see you tomorrow
rejoicings |
_________________
Beer...Soooo much more than just breakfast www.justbeer.cn |
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