Cobram Men’s Shed secretary David Sezun with members Ken Seymour, Rod Bailey and Russell Mitchell.
Photo by
Abby Green
“Drink coffee and tell lies, that’s what we do.”
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That was the tongue-in-cheek comment from Cobram Men’s Shed secretary David Sezun when asked what members got up to at the shed.
But behind the laughs and cups of coffee, the Cobram Men’s Shed provides a place for men to connect, share skills and stories, and keep busy through a range of community and personal projects.
The shed has been involved in a range of projects, including refurbishing a bench seat for the Community House and assisting Wangaratta police with fitting community members’ car number plates with anti-theft screws.
For member Russell Mitchell, the Men’s Shed is about much more than the projects.
Clocks Men's Shed members have made.
Photo by
Abby Green
Mr Mitchell was originally a part of the Men’s Shed in Huonville, Tasmania, where he helped build the shed from the ground up.
After moving to Cobram, he joined the local Men’s Shed and said what he enjoyed most was the conversations with other members and the variety of projects they took on.
“This is my therapy,” he said simply.
Mr Sezun has been a member of the Cobram Men’s Shed for four years, after previously being involved with a Men’s Shed in Geelong.
Woodwork made by Men's Shed members.
“It's a good release for a lot of blokes,” he’s said.
“Either to get out of the house because they need something to do, or they just need male company.”
Men’s Shed Week was celebrated across Australia from September 7 to 13, recognising the immense impact Men’s Sheds have on people and communities.
There are more than 1300 registered Men’s and Community Sheds across Australia, with new research from the Australian Men’s Shed Association revealing just how impactful these sheds are.
The 234 Men’s Sheds that participated in AMSA’s 2026 survey found that 98.8 per cent of respondents felt more connected to others after joining, while 95.5 per cent said they were more likely to learn or share skills.
A clock with an eagle design made by members.
Photo by
Abby Green
AMSA executive officer David Helmers said the findings demonstrated why the impact of Men’s Sheds could not be measured simply by what happened inside the shed.
“When a man finds mateship, purpose and a place where his skills are valued, that benefit flows through the shed and into the community around him,” he said.
“Men’s Sheds aren’t only places where men receive support. They are places where men participate and contribute, sharing skills, mentoring others, volunteering their time and putting their experience to work in ways that strengthen their communities.”
For Mr Mitchell, the message to anyone considering joining a Men’s Shed is to “go for it”.
“If you're not sure, if you don't know, we can show you,” he said.
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