Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is always a joy to see amateur craftsmen at work—the whirr and hum of machinery, the sense of satisfaction from a job well done and the sense of camaraderie from people working together on a shared project. All of this was on show when I visited the Hornsby Men's Shed on 2 May at the invitation of their president, Ian Raper, their treasurer, Mark Wilson, and Hornsby local councillor Robert Brown, who has been a supporter and advocate of the shed.

Interestingly, I think the notion of a men's shed is changing. To call Hornsby Men's Shed a men's shed is perhaps something of a misnomer now, as men's sheds, particularly Hornsby Men's Shed, attract a lot of women. One of the other things about men's sheds that is changing is the demography of its membership. The idea of men's sheds as purely a place for retirees is not the case anymore. Hornsby Men's Shed attracts a diverse membership of people aged from 14 to 91. It is open on Saturdays. Younger people are using the shed as a place to learn skills and enjoy their crafts. The shed fulfils a very important function in relation to creating community and improving mental health outcomes in the area by bringing people together and creating a sense of camaraderie. As one member told me, the shed was a lifeline for him after the death of his wife. The shed specialises in woodwork. I want to congratulate the Hornsby Men's Shed for all the great work they do for our community.