Donnybrook Mens Shed
Donnybrook is situated in the South West of Western Australia, 206 km south of Perth and 36 km south-east of Bunbury. Surrounded by stunning forests, winding rivers, rolling hills, vineyards and lush orchards. It has a population of about 2,500 which expands dramatically in the fruit picking season.
The Donnybrook Menshed was featured in our February 2007 Newsletter and drew attention nationally because of its community work with children as well as with men.
Damien Dixon is still the shed Coordinator and has continued his mentoring role in the community, especially with the local children. The Donnybrook Menshed has 'state of the art' machinery for woodworking projects, which are all housed in 3 purpose built sheds. This menshed often works five to six days a week around the year. Damien admits to being committed to helping those in his community who need help.
He said the shed included a men's group who have been recently bereaved or are suffering depression, he added that having them working with wood as well as providing a forum for them to talk to other men experiencing similar problems, such as returning to society after the loss of a loved one; has produced good results by putting most men back on their feet in a relatively short period of time. “Some continue to come along, others move on when they feel able to do so” Damien added.
The menshed is made available by the Donnybrook RSL sub branch but it has its own community agenda. Compared to other RSL run mensheds, for example, the “Grumpy old Menshed” forty odd kilometres away at Bridgetown [the closest other menshed] is only available for the use of RSL members and senior men? Donnybrook Menshed is basically self funding selling wooden items manufactured by the men and children who use the resources of the menshed. There has however been some funding from other sources including DVA to help with the machinery replacement.
Damien is setting new boundaries in the social as well as the community use of a menshed. Compared to other communities with similar social issues one thing stands out, the Donnybrook menshed has never been vandalised or covered in graffiti? Its location is in a remote public place unprotected by any fences! If you ask Damien why this is so he will tell you he has put a large number of the community's' children through his menshed at some time or another and he believes this has earned this menshed their respect, hence no vandalism or graffiti.
This is worth considering.