Common questions
How does it work?
The Shed can be whatever members want it to be! Some men just drop in from time-to-time for a yarn and some company, others spend whole days at the Shed.
Some members concentrate on projects that help the Shed or the community, others use the facilities for their own private projects.
Many Shedders pick one or more days and make those their 'Shed' days. This means you are likely to bump into the same men on a regular basis, allowing friendships to develop.
A profile of a typical day may give you a better idea - in this case it was a Wednesday. Two members were assembling bikes for Big-W customers - a project that generates some income for the Shed. Two men were working on woodturning projects. Three men were discussing the next step in the Shed's model railway setup, which is a collaborative work in progress. In the 'lunch' room several committee members were talking about changes needed on this website. At the other end of the table, two men were in deep discussion about the technicalities of the control system for the model railway and another member was working on CAD software designing a part for 3D printing. Some of the men from the workshop came into the lunch room for morning tea and several tall tales were told. Some of the men left before lunch, but a others ate their lunch at the Shed before returning to their projects.
Can women attend?
It depends on why a woman wants to join the Shed.
Like Men's Sheds in other places, the Katoomba Men's Shed seeks to address issues of men's health, isolation, loneliness and depression which are becoming major issues for some men and their families. Our Shed is open to all men, including vulnerable, disadvantaged and isolated men, men with disabilities and men experiencing major life changes, such as chronic illness, bereavement and family breakdown. We encourage mateship, communication and a sense of self worth by connecting men with each other through the sharing of practical and creative skills in a non-threatening environment. Some isolated and disadvantaged men struggle to relate to women and feel uncomfortable in their presence. Such feelings can limit the attendance of these men.
In many ways, the Men's Shed is a Men's Health Centre - but men are happy to come along because they can relate to a 'Shed'.
The Katoomba Men's Shed Constitution does not limit membership to men. Any application for membership from a woman is considered with the objectives of the Shed in mind.
There are some similar organisations that are not limited to men and in some communities, they have a Community Shed or even a Women's Shed.
What sort of equipment is available at the Shed?
The Shed has a wide range of equipment that is available for use by members. There is also a safety rating system and members must be trained and rated accordingly to use certain types of equipment. This is for safety reasons. Equipment available:
Metalworking Woodworking Technology
2 x Centre lathes Panel saw CNC Router (made by Shed members)
Milling machine Drum sander 3D printer
Column drill Router table Pinball machine (made by Shed members)
Metal bender Planer thicknesser Train set (under construction)
Band saw Drop saw Electronics test bench
Chisel sharpener Band saw Computers and printer
Metal grinder 3 x wood lathes Laser cutter (under consideration)
Welder Belt sander
Morticer
The Shed also has various hand tools and battery powered equipment.
I don’t live in near Katoomba. Is there a shed in my area?
There are several Men's Sheds in the Blue Mountains and many more sheds all over Australia. The idea is spreading to other countries throughout the world. New sheds are being opened all the time. Assuming that you are in Australia, you may be able to find a Men's Shed near you by using the 'Find a Shed' page on Australian Men’s Shed Association web site.
Keep in mind that there are many similar organisations and not all will be called Men's Sheds. Some are named 'Community Sheds'. Woodworking and similar clubs are other opportunities for people to get involved.
Where is the Katoomba Men's Shed located?
We are located in the old Trotting Pavilion in Katoomba Showground (it's the old brick shed near the old grandstand) at 6 Orient St, Katoomba That is west across the Showground from Katoomba Hospital. Easy walk in access is via Orient Street. Parking is available off street near the old grandstand and members and guests are encouraged to park there rather than on Orient Street. See the Contacts page for more details and a map
When is Katoomba Men’s Shed open?
See the Home Page page for opening days and hours.
Please turn up on any day that we are open to have a look around and talk to someone about the Shed. Keep in mind that we are a voluntary organisation and the openning hours are at the sole discretion of the Day Coordinator on any given day. If there are no men at the Shed, the coordinator may close up early.
The current operating times do not suit me, is it possible to open on another day?
The Shed is prepared to alter or extend its opening times if there is sufficient interest. In 2018 we trialed opening on Saturday afternoons for example.
Our criteria for opening on a new day or time are:
At least 6 people are prepared to attend at the new time on a regular basis.
We have a volunteer prepared to act as the Day Coordinator for the new session (this has to be approved by the Management Committee).
Who can attend?
If you are a man, young or old, of any background and with any level of ability, and you are willing to share your company, skills and wisdom with other men, then you can become a Shed member (known as a 'Shedder').
Visitors are welcome, but for insurance and legal liability reasons, you must become a member, or be part of an approved course or program, to attend regularly or to use any of the Shed's equipment.
Our constitution is not specific as to who can become a member, but it is expected that a person's membership will be consistent with the organisation's purpose and objectives. (Please also see the earlier question on women joining the Shed.)
As far as the Katoomba Men's Shed is concerned, a 'man' is a male person at least 18 years old. There are a number of legal and safety issues related to people under 18 years of age. A special policy applies to members bringing their children and grandchildren to the Shed - see the Children at the Shed policy.
We are a voluntary, self-help organisation and members have to be able to look after themselves in regard to personal care, eating, mobility etc. There are provisions for attendance with a carer if needed. See the Carer's policy for more details.
Who runs the shed?
The Katoomba Men's Shed is a non-profit incorporated association. It is run by the men who use it, through a Management Committee. The Committee meets once a month and is open to all members to attend. Committee membership is voluntary and election of officers is held at the AGM. We are affiliated with the Australian Men’s Shed Association, but are otherwise not affiliated with any outside organisation. We receive only occasional limited funding from government bodies.
Can I get a refund of my fees if I decide not to continue?
Membership and joining fees are generally not refundable. If there are special circumstances, the Shed's Management Committee may consider making an exception.
If you are not sure whether the Shed will suit you, we suggest that you attend for a few days as a visitor to try it out. You won't be able to use any of the workshop machinery (for insurance reasons), but you will be able join in any group projects that are under way and have a yarn with the other men.
Keep in mind that the annual membership fees are very modest and cover little more than the basic insurance costs. Most of the daily running costs are covered by the daily attendance fees, which you don't incur if you don't attend.
How is the Shed funded?
The Shed is self-funded. A substantial proportion of our income comes from the members themselves through annual membership and daily attendance fees. We also receive some income from work carried out at the Shed, including some sub-contract work and sale of surplus equipment. We also do ad-hoc repair jobs for members of the public, who often make a donation in appreciation of the work done..
We receive frequent donations of tools, equipment and material from members of the public, and in the past have received some generous financial grants and donations for the development of the facility. Sush support is gratefully received.
The Shed has use of a facility owned by the Blue Mountains City Council, for which it is very grateful. In return, the Shed members maintain and improve the building, which has some historical significance to the local community.
We also receive in-kind support from several local businesses who provide specific services to the Shed.
Do you take donations of tools, wood etc?
We sometimes accept donations of tools or materials that we can use at the Shed. We are always happy to have a look at what you have to offer, with the following broad guidelines:
if you have already had a garage sale, then it is unlikely that the Shed could use anything that is left over.
We generally cannot use small pieces of treated pine, MDF and chipboard.
If in doubt, call in and talk to the man in charge on the day, or send us an enquiry (see contacts page).
Please don't be offended if we say no. Like a lot of not-for-profit organisations, we have to pay to dump unwanted donations.