By Ian McKenzie, Akoonah Park Men's Shed, and Danielle Kutchel
They are a resilient lot at the Akoonah Park Men’s Shed.
The first major extended lock down certainly threw a spanner in the works so to speak; but this did not deter the members from keeping their chins up and getting on with life – Covid-normal.
The resourceful lot took this as an opportunity to grab hold of the government Covid health and safety manual and under the guidance of engineer Jim Grills and workshop leader and president Maurie Hall went about disinfecting the entire shed, tools and accessories.
Jim Grills set up important protocols for entering the shed when allowed and chairs and tables were meticulously placed apart as per instructions. Temperatures were taken and personal details recorded.
Cognisant that the air had to be as clean as possible, Jim saw to it that three new ventilation fans were installed in the social area, kitchen and metal workshop. The installed cost was approximately $5000.
When it was time to open, the members adhered to the rules (50 members at a time only) and set up cleaning rosters for a daily clean. Members were trained in COVID requirements, temperature checking and social distancing was practised.
At present the Victorian Government’s QR code has been installed and Members are getting used to digitally signing in.
As part of the keeping in contact some members skilled themselves with Zoom and held chats across the net to minimise the loneliness.
When they were not allowed to enter the shed, some members formed ad hoc walking/exercise groups, to help keep up their fitness levels.
Most times this exercise through the Akoonah parkland and its natural bush setting would end up at the local coffee truck in the park, where a good coffee was enjoyed by all while shooting the breeze.
Gradually as the rules were relaxed some members met outdoors for a BBQ, all the time being inclusive so members who did not have transport or who did not drive were included.
Ernie Bird, our welfare leader, ensured the health and wellbeing of members was not forgotten. Health and fitness are vital in older men’s lives in particular, with the Fitnessand Flexibility Group being an early casualty.
Our Friday mornings were full on exercise by two YMCA Professional trainers who developed an exercise regime to achieve strength, balance, and stamina, most vital to avoid falls in older men. Very early on Brett, one of the trainers, put together five exercise activities on YouTube which many of the group of 25 attendees were able to be involved in, and it showed when we resumed fitness activities recently.
In addition, a health and wellbeing phone tree of members was set up to make phone contacts; each team member had 10 other members to call. Calls were made on a regular weekly basis with follow ups as necessary, covering those we already knew were not well and others who had succumbed to hospitalisation, even ICU.
Regular weekly and monthly newsletters gave us the opportunity to connect and information from Beyond Blue also gave good advice for keeping well, Doug Hutchinson our valiant secretary has been flat out all lock down keeping an eye on membership, communications from government, VMSA and fielding many questions from members eager to return, ensuring phone contacts are accurate and phone calls made. Membership was suspended during the last lock down; but recently reopened and we are accepting new members.
The encouragement to new members comes as Australia marks Men’s Health Week, from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 June.
Getting together with a group of mates has been linked to positive health and wellness outcomes so this Men’s Health Week the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) is encouraging all men to book in a date with their mates.
“You’re never too old to get something out of having a group of friends – whether they’ve been around forever and a day, or they’re new connections,” said AMSA Executive Officer David Helmers.
Men’s sheds can provide a vital link to help men stay connected to others and to their communities, combating social isolation and both mental and physical ill-health in men of all ages.
For thousands of Australian men, Men’s Sheds are a perfect combination of somewhere to go and something to do, with a group of people with similar interests, to have a conversation and do something meaningful.
To join the Akoonah Park Men’s Shed or find out more, email akoonahparkmensshed@hotmail.com or find them on Facebook.
