One of our Funded organisations, the Creswick Men's Friendship Shed celebrated it's 10 year anniversary in idyllic surrounds during December. 2011. The celebration attracted founding members, past and present members, past and present representatives from funding organisations, members from other mens' sheds and the honourable Catherine King MP. Speaking in the outdoor marquee, the co-ordinator of the Shed John Quinlan noted that Creswick Men's Friendship Shed was one of the first if not the first in Australian and maybe in the World. Now there are over 750 men’s sheds in Australia, with over 30 in New Zealand and over 35 in Ireland



In 2001, Seeing a need for socialisation for the men of the community Jackie and Joan from Hepburn Health decided to start a men’s get together on Thursday mornings at the old nurses quarters of the Creswick hospital.  Speaking of this time Jackie commented : ‘We even read poetry to them’.  After 6 months of meeting, the men expressed an interest in doing more.  Joan, who was at that time the Hepburn Health social support worker, had been given a house by the shire for emergency housing, which came with a ‘shed’  ‘It was pretty rough at the time but I could see it had potential” Joan said.  And so the Men’s friendship shed was started.

Some of the inaugural members Morrie, Jim and Tom who have since passed away were spoken of fondly by everyone as the people who made this Shed happen.  Arranging the replacement of the floor, lining and cladding were attributed to their organisation and passion to see this work.






Several presentations were made on the day;  A collection of memorabilia was presented to Morrie’s daughter Annie and a hand carved and engraved clock was presented to Jackie along with a small plaque made for her by Morrie one year.
















Geoff and Charlie both spoke of their time at the Shed.  Geoff: “Being concerned about inexperience of the members we started out repairing bikes in the early days, however we soon realised that the members wanted to do something more interesting so we introduced woodworking and the use of more interesting tools and skills and it has grown from there.”  Charlie “The shed is a place where men can support eachother; depression is a huge issue in this community and the Shed helps.”

















Michael was the newest member of the Creswick Men's Friendship Shed at the time and he summed up the benefit of the movement: "I had wondered why it was particularly called the Mens' FRIENDSHIP Shed… now after two months of being so welcomed here and befriended here, I know why."