View source for Willo's Men's Shed

{{Organisation
|SubCategory=Community Service
|StreetNumber=7
|StreetName=Little Paxton
|StreetSuffix=Street
|Locality=Willaston
|Date approximate=No
|Date approximate2=No
}}
'''Willo’s Men's Shed Inc.''' 

Willo’s Men's Shed Inc. started at Lot 5 Little Paxton Street Willaston on 11th October 2007 to the current day. 

A project between Gawler Health and Town of Gawler commenced in 11.10.2007 with 10 people and now has over 80 members on any of the three days Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Our total membership is currently over 82.

Willo's Men's Shed, is located in Little Paxton Street in Willaston It was established with a $50,000 grant from Wakefield Health, with the assistance of Employment Directions, which actually had the original land lease on the site. Now the Men's Shed is incorporated and holds the lease as Willo’s Men’s Shed Inc. 

The Men's Shed was established to provide a shed substitute for retired men who may no longer have access to their own shed, garage or workspace which they can call their own. Importantly, though, the shed also exists to provide men with a setting distinct from the pub or a football club—there is often nowhere else for men of a certain age to go. 
Willo's Men's Shed also provides a place to enjoy the company of other men and a cuppa in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere created by blokes working shoulder to shoulder with other like-minded men. 

Willo's Men's Shed consists of three sections. There is the leisure room, a kitchen (which is used, obviously, for cooking and sharing meals) and a workshop (which contains workbenches, tools for woodwork, metalwork, etc.) 

The Willo's Men's Shed consists of a core group of 35 to 40 active members, with a nine-person management committee. Currently, the chair of the committee is Neville Voigt, original committee 2007 was supported by Graham Carse, Ian Polkinghorne, Douggie Lloyd, Dwayne Reed, and Steve Frinsdorf. 

In its nine-year history, over 1000 men have passed through the doors of the shed, some coming from outside Gawler itself. Also, we would like to acknowledge the work done by Mr Aaron Phillips and the Gawler Men's Health Group in establishing the shed nine years ago. 

Current Committee 2019/2020 are Chairman – Dave Clarke, Secretary – Terry O’Connell, Treasurer-Chris Milne. Committee members Nev Voigt, Andrew Scholtz, Bill Tidswell, Ron Willson, Henry Loveridge, Bob Craig

Current Patrons are Tony Piccolo and Steve Frinsdorf. 

In the workshop, the men work on their own projects or do a lot of community work. They do repair work on furniture, etc., for the local nursing homes, the Gawler Show, etc. All the money made by the shed is reinvested in the shed itself. 

We ran a group called Blokes at the Shed (BATS), and they meet on Tuesdays. It is a social group with a health focus, and around about 12 guys attends that event regularly, supported by Gawler Health Service volunteers. Now on hold. That group was particularly supportive of men who are isolated because of depression or divorce, etc. 
Early days ran a group called Talk 'n' Tools, which was in collaboration with Employment Directions (who have now left Gawler. Various other projects include fixing water leaks in trailers and caravans to joinery and woodworking projects. 

The members are very resourceful in getting donated timber and machinery. You can tinker in the workshop or play a game of Pool darts or table tennis to craft to a coffee and chat. 

Willo’s Men’s Shed Inc. is linked to the Australian Men’s Shed Association. It is a non for profit incorporated group. 

We charge an annual membership fee of $52.00 and we do have a try before you buy membership. 

Look on the website if you need more information or drop in to view on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 10 -4 pm
 
Current statistics show that members spent more than 71,724 hours at the shed and individual users of 17,805 men as single visits. 

Thanks to Gawler Health and the Town of Gawler for supporting this great group of men support Men’s Health and the Community. 

Phone:  0428 362 277 Email willosms@hotmail.com 

Address: Lot 5 Little Paxton Street WILLASTON SA 


'''Past Committee 2016''' is chairman - Neville Voight,- Secretary Kevin Douglas,- Treasurer Wayne Marks,- Committee members Andrew Scholtz,(Douggie  Lloyd – one of our founding member,) Henry Loveridge,- Rodney Mold, and David Dawson.   
Past Patrons are Tony Piccolo and Steve Frinsdorf.


[https://www.flickr.com/photos/gawler_history/albums/72157666047312231 click here for photos ]
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