TASMANIAN MEN’S SHED ASSOCIATION INC SHED NEWS shed …€¦ · at Tasmanian Men’s Shed...

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www.tasmanianmenshed.org.au at Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association TASMANIAN MEN’S SHED ASSOCIATION INC shed news Edition 8 July 2017 More new Sheds TMSA continues strong growth with new Sheds regularly joining your representative organisation. We now have 55 members across Tassie. There are three more expected soon and our membership could reach 60 by the end of the year. Left: Opening of the new Shed at Waratah Below: The Elma Fagan Sports centre that has now become the Waratah Men’s Shed Mathew Groom presents a cheque for $50,000 to Marty Watkins at the opening of the Claremont Men`s Shed Peter Gutwein and Nettie Burr Nettie Burr – Neighbourhood House Manager addresses the group at the Ravenswood Shed opening

Transcript of TASMANIAN MEN’S SHED ASSOCIATION INC SHED NEWS shed …€¦ · at Tasmanian Men’s Shed...

www.tasmanianmenshed.org.au at Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association    

GPO  Box  344  Hobart  TAS  7001  

ABN:  722  937  65  160  [email protected]  

www.tasmanianmensshed.org.au    

SHED  NEWS    Edition  1  -­‐  July  2015  

DRAFT at 15.7 Gooday

Welcome to the first edition of Shed News.

Since commencing with the TMSA in January, I have had the privilege of visiting more than 50% of the 46 sheds around Tasmania and meet some great people.

One really interesting aspect of the sheds is the wide range of activities that are undertaken. This varies from lots of working with tools to watching old movies, all with the aim of providing support to the shed members.

There is an enormous skill and knowledge base within the membership and it has become obvious to me that WE (being everyone involved with sheds) do not share all our experiences, mostly because we do not know what other sheds are doing.

So, one of the main aims of this newsletter is to share the experiences of sheds and members with other shedders across Tassie.

My vision is for a regular publication that members will look forward to receiving to provide them with information of what is happening with other sheds, new inventions or ways of undertaking activities, functions with other sheds and much more. It may evolve to include advertising from regular suppliers and others. Sheds may wish to advertise for equipment they need or disposal of gear they no longer want.

Eventually, I would like to see an editorial team from sheds preparing your newsletter for you.

But, we need to start somewhere and this is my attempt to get it started.

Cheers

Geoff

Geoff Marsh

Executive Officer

TMSA

TASMANIAN MEN’S SHED ASSOCIATION INC

shednewsEdition 8 July 2017

More new ShedsTMSA continues strong growth with new Sheds regularly joining your representative organisation.We now have 55 members across Tassie. There are three more expected soon and our membership could reach 60 by the end of the year. More  new  sheds  

TMSA  continues  strong  growth  with  new  sheds  regularly  joining  your  representative  organisation.  

We  now  have  55  members  across  Tassie.  There  are  3  more  expected  soon  and  our  membership  could  reach  60  by  the  end  of  the  year.  

 Mathew  Groom  presents  a  cheque  for  $50,000  to  Marty  Watkins  at  the  opening  of  the  Claremont  Men`s  Shed  

 ….  Opens  the  new  shed  at  Waratah  

 

 

The    Elma  Fagan  Sports  centre  that  has  now  become  the  Waratah  Men`s  Shed  

 

Left: Opening of the new Shed at Waratah

Below: The Elma Fagan Sports centre that has now become the Waratah Men’s Shed

More  new  sheds  TMSA  continues  strong  growth  with  new  sheds  regularly  joining  your  representative  organisation.  

We  now  have  55  members  across  Tassie.  There  are  3  more  expected  soon  and  our  membership  could  reach  60  by  the  end  of  the  year.  

 Mathew  Groom  presents  a  cheque  for  $50,000  to  Marty  Watkins  at  the  opening  of  the  Claremont  Men`s  Shed  

 ….  Opens  the  new  shed  at  Waratah  

 

 

Mathew Groom presents a cheque for $50,000 to Marty Watkins at the opening of the Claremont Men`s Shed

Peter Gutwein and Nettie Burr

Nettie Burr – Neighbourhood House Manager addresses the group at the Ravenswood Shed opening

and the Department of State Growth Community Infrastructure Grants.

TMSA Sheds that received funding from TCF:

• Spring Bay Community Boat Shed – $14,432 – Shed extension

• Howrah Men’s Shed – $4,500 – Safety and other equipment

• Huonville Men’s Shed – $79,256 – Construction of premises

• Kentish Men’s Shed – $22,249 – Shed extension

• Port Cygnet Men’s Shed – $5,286 – Equipment upgrade

The Community Infrastructure Grant recipients are not published on the State Growth website but I am aware of Claremont and East Tamar Sheds receiving considerable funding.

All of this clearly identifies the high level of support for Men’s Sheds by the Government and the community of Tasmania.

Cheers, Geoff

Geoff MarshExecutive OfficerTasmanian Men’s Shed [email protected]

Hello and welcome to the Winter edition of the TMSA Newsletter for 2017.

Well here we are, half-way through the year already…goodness, time really does fly! By the time you read this newsletter we will have passed the shortest day and from there it is onwards and upwards to the warmer weather!

Since the last edition went to print, Round 5 of the Hodgman Liberal Government’s TMSA Grants program was announced and distributed. This round saw a total of $113,137 being awarded to 29 sheds across the state.

The 2017–18 State Budget saw an announcement of $90,000 for the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association to support Men’s Sheds around Tasmania – in addition to the $550,000 allocated since 2014–15.

During the past few months, I have been endeavouring to get out and about to the Men’s Sheds. I was fortunate to travel to Flinders Island with the Premier at the end of March and during our visit, we had the opportunity to pop into the Furneaux Islands Community Shed.

I have also been along to the North West Coast and visited some sheds with my Braddon colleague, Roger Jaensch MP.

Thank you to all of you that have issued invitations for me to come along and visit; I will continue to do my very best to get out to as many sheds as I can. In the meantime, if you have any matters that you would like to discuss or bring to my attention, please do not hesitate to contact my office on 03 6777 1013 or drop me a line via email at [email protected]

Until next time, take care, stay warm, and enjoy your Sheds!

Sarah Courtney MPParliamentary Secretaryto the Premier, andCommunity and Veterans’ Affairs Member for Bass

Message from Sarah Courtney MPParliamentary Secretary to the Premier

EditorialWelcome to edition 8 of Shed News

The Tasmanian government continues to support Men’s Sheds across Tasmania. In the 2017–18 budget, $90,000 has been allocated to the TMSA.

This funding has been allocated to support our 55 members through the following activities:

• $5,000 to conduct training to up skill Shed leaders to improve shed governance;

• $5,000 towards health awareness programs;

• $10,000 towards TMSA operational expenses; and

• $70,000 to continue and expand the role of the Executive Officer (this includes travel costs).

There has been no announcement of a continuation of the grants program as the current funding of $550,000 over three years that commenced in 2014 does not finish until the end of 2017.

Round 5 of TMSA grants to Sheds has been completed and the successful applicants have all received the funds. At total of $113,137 was allocated (see article regarding successful grant recipients).

In addition to the TMSA grants, Sheds have received allocations from the Tasmanian Community Fund(TCF)

Sarah Courtney visiting various Sheds

JULY 2017 SHED NEWS 5

shednewsThe CMS was officially opened on Saturday 13 May 2017 by the Honourable Mathew Groom MP, Minister for State Growth and member for Denison.

The idea for a CMS was born over a beer Friday lunchtime on 16 September between Martin Watkins and Brian Johnson both residents of the Cadbury Estate which is encompassed by greater Claremont. The idea was further reinforced when Martin told his wife Suzanne what was planned and she whole heartedly supported it.

Searching for a likely location became Martin’s every day activity while Brian sat back and looked at maps and Google Earth. Neither came up with anything concrete in the first few weeks until Martin happened on the President of the Claremont Golf Club who said “drop me a line and I’ll take it to the committee”.

Short story; the Claremont Golf Club had just had a new residential development approved by the Glenorchy City Council. This development meant a new maintenance workshop would have to be built and it was considered by the Claremont Golf Club to be good PR to include the Claremont Men’s Shed in that structure. Discussions then took place about size and exact location.

While all this was going on Martin had called a

public meeting at the Claremont Golf Club to assess the reaction of the residents of Claremont. To say it was met with great enthusiasm would be an understatement. Neither Martin nor Brian had anticipated the level of acceptance from the public or the corporate sector.

It was brilliant!

The big problem was that we needed a venue now not in 12 months time. Martin with his usual get up and go got in touch with Martin Kelly, Manager of the Vantage Hotel Group who own the Claremont Hotel and asked what plans they had for the old, now disused, petrol station at the Southern end of the Claremont Hotel.

The answer was “nothing, what do you want it for?” Martin Watkins replied “a temporary home for the Claremont Men’s Shed” and there it is. Up and running in nine short months with a rapidly growing membership!

CLAREMONT MEN’S SHED

We have a real heart warmer report.

It started with an attempt by a couple, who have no wish for publicity, to trade in the wife’s car.

Failing to get a reasonable offer for the old vehicle (a 1999 Daihatsu Sirion) they decided to make it available for donation to a worthy cause. Generously, they also agreed to fund the replacement of the clutch which was giving trouble.

The Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association passed the offer on to us and, after some investigation we agreed to both repair the car and to find a worthy donor. The clutch was provided free by the local Repco store and, in return the donors agreed to extend the registration out to December.

Meanwhile, Ross Thomas our Shed computer mentor who has also been volunteering at the “Gearing Up” Learn to drive programme, supported by the Huon Council, became aware that learner driver and single mum,

While  all  this  was  going  on  Martin  had  called  a  public  meeting  at  the  Claremont  Golf  Club  to  assess  the  reaction  of  the  residents  of  Claremont.  To  say  it  was  met  with  great  enthusiasm  would  be  an  understatement.  Neither  Martin  nor  Brian  had  anticipated  the  level  of  acceptance  from  the  public  or  the  corporate  sector.    

It  was  brilliant!  

The  big  problem  was  that  we  needed  a  venue  now  not  in  twelve  months  time.  Martin  with  his  usual  get  up  and  go  got  in  touch  with  Martin  Kelly,  Manager  of  the  Vantage  Hotel  Group  who  own  the  Claremont  Hotel  and  asked  what  plans  they  had  for  the  old,  now  disused,  petrol  station  at  the  Southern  end  of  the  Claremont  Hotel.  

The  answer  was  “nothing,  what  do  you  want  it  for?”  Martin  Watkins  replied  “a  temporary  home  for  the  Claremont  Men’s  shed”  and  there  it  is.  Up  and  running  in  nine  short  months  with  a  rapidly  growing  membership!  

 

 

Members  of  the  Claremont  Men’s  Shed  and  their  first  project  on  opening  day.  

 

The Hon Elise Archer MP, and members of the Claremont Men’s Shed and their first project on opening day.

CHANNEL MEN’S SHEDBreanna and the car

Editorial, May 2017It seems that each month is as busy as any other and April has been no exception.A number of Shed projects have been completed and, again as usual, there are a number of projects which can useassistance.Pre­winter doldrums setting? Drop into the Shed and see what is happening.We still have a few pavers left, there areshelves and the new storage area to build and a couple of smaller projects need a bit of a lift.

The EditorBreanna and the carWe have a real heart­warmer report from the beginning of April.It started with an attempt by a couple, who have no wish for publicity, to trade in the wife’s car.Failing to get a reasonable offer for the old vehicle (a 1999 Daihatsu Sirion) they decided to make it available fordonation to a worthy cause. Generously, they also agreed to fund the replacement of the clutch which was givingt trouble.

TheTasmanian Men’s Shed Associationpassed the offer on to us and, after some

i investigation we agreed to both repair the cara and to find a worthy donor. The clutch was

provided free by the local Repco store and,i in return the donors agreed to extend ther registration out to December.

Meanwhile, RossThomas ­­­our Shedc computer mentor (first Friday monthly (andt thanks Ross for putting the fix on theSecretary’s laptop)­­­ has also been volunteering at the “Gearing­Up” Learn to drive programme supported by theHuon Council became aware that learner driver and single mum, Breanna (andher delightful infant daughter) would be ideal recipients.Ross spent some 40 hours mentoring Breanna with her driving skills. Thismentoring proved very beneficial with Breanna  satisfactorily gaining herprovisional licence onTuesday last. The RACT were approached regardinginsuring the vehicles and made a welcome donation of $500 to the Shed toassist with our good work... insurance and a new baby seat have beenpurchased as a result.Breanna has been walking 45 minutes from home to casual work at a disabilitycare centre and, as Ross explained in his persuasive appeal to the Committee,would benefit from the availability of a car to visit family on the other side of Hobart and, perhaps more importantly,would have more access to casual work with improved transport.

Breanna (and her delightful infant daughter) would be ideal recipients.

Ross spent some 40 hours mentoring Breanna with her driving skills. This mentoring proved very beneficial with Breanna satisfactorily gaining her provisional licence. RACT was approached regarding insuring the vehicles and made a welcome donation of $500 to the Shed to assist with our good work. The car insurance and a new baby seat have been purchased as a result.

Breanna has been walking 45 minutes from home to casual work at a disability care centre and, as Ross explained in his persuasive appeal to the committee, would benefit from the availability of a car to visit family on the other side of Hobart and, perhaps more importantly, would have more access to casual work with improved transport.

Editorial, May 2017It seems that each month is as busy as any other and April has been no exception.A number of Shed projects have been completed and, again as usual, there are a number of projects which can useassistance.Pre­winter doldrums setting? Drop into the Shed and see what is happening.We still have a few pavers left, there areshelves and the new storage area to build and a couple of smaller projects need a bit of a lift.

The EditorBreanna and the carWe have a real heart­warmer report from the beginning of April.It started with an attempt by a couple, who have no wish for publicity, to trade in the wife’s car.Failing to get a reasonable offer for the old vehicle (a 1999 Daihatsu Sirion) they decided to make it available fordonation to a worthy cause. Generously, they also agreed to fund the replacement of the clutch which was givingt trouble.

TheTasmanian Men’s Shed Associationpassed the offer on to us and, after some

i investigation we agreed to both repair the cara and to find a worthy donor. The clutch was

provided free by the local Repco store and,i in return the donors agreed to extend ther registration out to December.

Meanwhile, RossThomas ­­­our Shedc computer mentor (first Friday monthly (andt thanks Ross for putting the fix on theSecretary’s laptop)­­­ has also been volunteering at the “Gearing­Up” Learn to drive programme supported by theHuon Council became aware that learner driver and single mum, Breanna (andher delightful infant daughter) would be ideal recipients.Ross spent some 40 hours mentoring Breanna with her driving skills. Thismentoring proved very beneficial with Breanna  satisfactorily gaining herprovisional licence onTuesday last. The RACT were approached regardinginsuring the vehicles and made a welcome donation of $500 to the Shed toassist with our good work... insurance and a new baby seat have beenpurchased as a result.Breanna has been walking 45 minutes from home to casual work at a disabilitycare centre and, as Ross explained in his persuasive appeal to the Committee,would benefit from the availability of a car to visit family on the other side of Hobart and, perhaps more importantly,would have more access to casual work with improved transport. The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

for the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association Inc will be held at the Launceston Golf Club, Opossum Road, Kings Meadows

on Thursday 31 August 2017 commencing at 10.30 am

Program for the day

10.00 am Registration of attendees

10.30 am to 11.30 am AGM

11.30 am to 12.30 pm Guest Speakers

12.30 pm to 1.30 pm Lunch

1.30 pm to 2.30 pm Open Forum

Waratah Men’s ShedOn 17 June, the new Waratah Men’s Shed was officially opened.

The Shed has been granted a lease of the Elma Fagan Community Sports Complex from the Waratah/Wynyard Council. This huge facility has a basketball court and two squash courts together with a large recreation room and kitchen.

One of the squash courts and an adjoining equipment storage area will be converted for equipment.

These has been renewed interest in the use of the facility that has remained dormant for many years. The shed will manage the entire complex and should be able to generate an income from renting out part of the complex.

The opening was a great function with members from Central Coast, Devonport and Longford attending.

Bob Thomas, President TMSA welcomed the new shed to the TMSA and noted that they became Shed member number 55 of the TMSA.

shednews

 

 

 

 

Bob Thomas pictured at the opening with Peter Hawthorn Secretary Waratah Men’s Shed

Furneaux  Islands  Community  Shed  

 

I  recently  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  the  shed  on  the  magnificent  Flinders  Island.  It  had  been  about  20  years  since  I  had  been  to  the  island  and  I  had  forgotten  how  beautiful  the  52  islands  of  the  Furneaux  Group  were.  

The  shed  is  located  in  the  woodworking  facility  at  the  local  school  that  has  not  had  a  teacher  for  these  skills  for  many  years  and  the  equipment  remained  unused  for  some  time.  The  facility  is  large  and  is  well  equipped  and  includes  a  storage  area.    

The  only  issue  is  that  the  shed  cannot  be  accessed  by  members  during  school  hours,  so  they  meet  on  Wednesday  evenings  and  on  Saturdays.  

The  shed  has  initiated  discussions  on  a  new  shed  with  the  Flinders  Isl.  Council  and  land  has  been  allocated.  There  are  some  issues  about  tenure,  but  hopefully  these  will  be  soon  resolved.  The  shed  will  then  be  seeking  funding  for  a  new  shed.  

 

 

 

Furneaux Islands Community ShedI recently had the pleasure of visiting the Shed on the magnificent Flinders Island. It had been about 20 years since I had been to the island and I had forgotten how beautiful the 52 islands of the Furneaux Group were.

The Shed is located in the woodworking facility at the local school that has not had a teacher for these skills for many years and the equipment remained unused for some time. The facility is large and is well equipped and includes a storage area.

The only issue is that the Shed cannot be accessed by members during school hours, so they meet on Wednesday evenings and on Saturdays.

The Shed has initiated discussions on a new shed with the Flinders Island Council and land has been allocated. There are some issues about tenure, but hopefully these will be soon resolved. The Shed will then be seeking funding for a new shed.

JULY 2017 SHED NEWS 98 SHED NEWS JULY 2017

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5

Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association Grants ProgramRound Five

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

Organisation Project

Cate

gory Grant

Amount$

Baptist Church Latrobe –- Latrobe Men’s Shed Building extension 2 4,230.00

Bicheno Men’s Shed IncCapital works project to install security screens and exterior completion (landscaping)

2 595.00 *

Bicheno Men’s Shed Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,974.83

Bruny Island Community Association Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 2,617.00

Campbell Town & Districts Men’s Shed IncCapital works project to purchase a shipping container for use as a storage space

2 4,950.00

Campbell Town & Districts Men’s Shed Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,235.69

Channel Men’s Shed IncCapital works project to provide storage extension to shed premises

2 8,208.15

Claremont Men’s Shed Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,272.72 *

Collinsvale Machinery and Social Club Incorporated To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,041.00

Defence Force Veterans Timeout Workshop Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 2,372.70

Derwent Valley Men’s Shed IncCapital work project to cement courtyard in the centre of shed buildings to improve access and provide outdoor workspace

2 4,620.00

Derwent Valley Men’s Shed Inc To purchase a Thicknesser 1 3,278.00

Devonport Community House Inc To provide first aid training and upgrade tools and equipment 1 3,135.00

Dover Community Workshop Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,116.92

Geeveston Community Centre Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 3,322.05

Hobart Hackerspace Inc To purchase tools and equipment and capital work project 1 3,397.00

Hobart Hackerspace IncTo purchase a shipping container to increase shed space and using for travelling roadshows

2 6,215.00

Howrah Mens Shed Incorporated Capital works project to construct an access driveway 2 7,650.00

Jordan River Service IncTo purchase: polo shirts for shed members; a marquee; and tools and equipment

1 2,936.13 *

Kingborough Community Garden and Men’s Shed Inc To purchase a Festool Domino with assortment Systainer 1 1,695.45

Kingborough Community Garden and Men’s Shed Inc To purchase a Plasma Cutter 1 635.45

Oak Tasmania To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,478.18

Penguin Mens Shed IncCapital works project to install a concrete floor in shedpremises

2 6,357.00

Penguin Mens Shed IncTo provide first aid training for shed members and purchase a first aid kit

1 1,360.00

Port Cygnet Mens Shed Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,640.00

Southern Midlands Council To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,964.15

West Moonah Community Action Group Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 3,110.82

Zeehan Men’s Shed Inc To purchase tools and equipment 1 4,121.00

Zeehan Men’s Shed IncCapital works project to construct internal walls and install electrical wiring

2 2,564.00

* indicates part funding TOTAL FUNDING: $113,093.24

JULY 2017 SHED NEWS 1110 SHED NEWS JULY 2017

She has been in the job since July 2016 and since then she has formed very strong opinions about her organisation, its importance, and where it fits into the fabric of Tasmanian rural communities.

“It was quite obvious to me from the start that there was something about RAW that made it very important. The term I like to use is ‘much loved’ by many people in the community,” she said proudly.

There was no “soft lead in” for Liz. Within weeks of starting she was on the flood frontline in the north-west of the state with her staff, who were the first port of call for many rural communities in the wake of the natural disaster.

“That is just one of the many things that we are here to do for rural and regional Tasmanians. It also gave me a valuable chance to witness first-hand how Tasmanians feel about our organisation.”

She is clearly very proud of the service that RAW provides, and of her front-line staff members.

“My initial description of the RAW outreach workers was, my collection of John Wayne’s – and I’ve said this to them,” Liz said smiling.

“My outreach workers are extraordinary people. They are rugged individuals – they go out and spend an enormous amount of time in isolation. They do not know what they are going to find when they get there. In 2015 our outreach workers walked in on 32 actual suicides occurring.

“They often have quite traumatic experiences. Often when they walk in they do not know what they are going to find, so they are extraordinarily self-contained people. They are people of inevitable and incorrigible good humour because they have to be. They are incredibly busy people and very, very diverse. We have people from ex-forestry drivers, through to social workers and mothers. They are the people that they service. “

This view is one that Liz believes has been echoed by community members who come into contact with RAW.

“There are a couple of key messages that I have received about RAW. That ‘they are where we need them to be and when we need them to be there’; and that ‘the way the people who work for RAW talk to us is about meeting who we really are and responding to us in a way that is respectful’.”

High praise for an organisation that deals extensively with the very sensitive and critical issues of mental health and suicide prevention.

“One of the things that we often hear is that when people have issues, say with mental health or wellness or suicide, depression, anxiety, any of these things, with many of the services that they talk to they get a feeling that they get a response that only tells them of what the service does not do. So, many people are getting a sense of not being listened to, not being heard,” Liz said.

“So, I guess that is the first thing that I have learnt about RAW. When you go up to someone and say: ‘I am an outreach worker from RAW, how are you going?’ then they can talk about the weather, talk about the price of dairy

products, or they can talk about the fact that you have a kid that is maybe dabbling in ice. You can talk about all of those things, and all of those things are included in how RAW responds.

“I think that is the big difference with us. Metropolitan-based services tend to be focused on very narrow areas: ‘we do this, but we don’t do this whole pile of other things and know that we will talk to you about mental health, but we don’t want to talk to you about your housing or your income security’.

Whereas, I think that people really value the extent of the problem that they feel RAW is prepared to deal with.”

As a service specifically run by, designed by and for rural people, Liz is also very much about pinpointing where exactly RAW fits in the terms of the wellbeing of rural communities of Tasmania.

‘This is part of a bigger conversation on where exactly rural Tasmania fits into the wellbeing of Tasmania as a whole. It doesn’t stand by itself,” she said.

“There are a heap of other things I have learned that I have been quite shocked about I have been a senior bureaucratic in my past, but I am still pretty horrified about the lack of understanding in some parts of Government about rural people and the way that they need to be able to receive service. There is still a perception that if a service has three regional locations, one in the south, one in the north and one in the north-west then they are a state-wide service.That just means they are servicing regional centres.

“The other issue that comes into play there is that there are specific parts of the rural lifestyle that I just don’t think people associated with the design of metropolitan based services even consider.

“One of those would be that many people in rural communities live and work 24/7 in the same place. They work with their families, they don’t have another place to go to so they live 24/7 with a whole lot of the same problems and the same benefits. There are good things, and there are bad things, but it’s a completely different lifestyle. When families are in that situation they just don’t feel okay to take time out They’re up there working whether they are sick or healthy, convalescing, or 100%. As a result the rehabilitation and recovery profile for people going back into rural settings is much tougher.”

Liz believes that political parties in Tasmania, no matter what their colour, should start to actively factor the unique communities into their future plans.

“Health and well-being is not a bubble inside an individual’s head. Yes, sure it is primarily about how an individual is feeling, but it also about the support networks they have around them in terms of family and community. It’s how they feel about belonging and how they feel about the future,” she said.

“Agricultural industries in Tasmania are now the state’s primary income source. If we are talking about sustainable agricultural industries contributing to the economy of this State, then we have to start talking about how we contribute to the well being of the communities that are producing

that wealth. That is certainly about job opportunities, about training, about services, but it also about the sense of sustainable, liveable communities.

A sustainable rural community, according to Liz, needs a sense of future.

“It needs a sense of family, even though some people may leave and come back. That you can have a lifestyle there that you find enjoyable and enriching. That it will allow you to do your work, but also play It has to have all of those things.”

At the moment RAW has ten outreach workers on the ground in Tasmania, but the list of “what could done” is even longer.

“To do what we need to do now we really need 12, and we would happily have 14–16. We had to withdraw live-on services on King Island on 31 December last year. But we do fly in and fly out along with Flinders Island as well,” Liz said.

“At the moment RAW is keeping its key focus on the mental health and suicide prevention issues. But the list goes on. We would really like to be able to do more in the area of alcohol and substance abuse. We also know that more focus is needed on young people and children living in rural communities, also on families who have hit rough times and are unable to cope.

‘’I’m terribly worried about what’s going to be happening with older people, that’s a growing issue. We know that the fastest growing proportion of our population committing suicide are older people.”

Just to amplify the logistical problem, funding, or a lack of it, is now a very real issue for RAW.

“We have always received a proportion of our funding from the Federal Government, but that money has been transferred from the Department of Health and Ageing into Primary Health Tasmania. Primary Health Tasmania do, what is called, commissioning. This means that they go around to services, not people, and ask what is needed in those communities. They don’t speak to the farmers or people in the rural communities.

“Pretty much every big service in this state is telling Primary Health Tasmania what they need. We are the only voice I am hearing that is in there talking about the needs of rural people .

“I take my hat off and I respect all those other organisations, and I think they deliver really good services, but the reality is that they are not delivering many of the people that we get to see. Yes, it is hard but we are just a single voice in a massive process. It’s a real problem”.

Liz said that what RAW really needs is for people to speak up and tell governments the value of what RAW is doing in their communities.

“Speak up, tell governments and tell politician what it is that we have done for you. I would also like to see the Tasmanian Government committing to developing a 2020 strategy about sustainable, liveable, rural communities,” she said.

“We are interested in health and wellbeing, but we also want communities that people feel good about living in. Communities where they know that, if they have troubles and bad times, there is help there and they can get help in a way that is relevant and accessible. People of all ages, the earlier we can start work with people the better.

“That is what sustainable rural communities are. It is about having adequate employment opportunities, it’s about having sustainable agricultural industries, about people being able to be trained and able to live in them, it’s about a lifestyle that people can see that it is a really good place to live and bring up a family in.

“When you talk about RAW you shouldn’t just talk about us being a health service, we should be a part of a whole government strategy. We are talking to Government about getting funding from DPIPWE. We should also be talking about where we fit within the Department of State Growth and the Premier’s Development Commission.

“I have sympathy for Minister Ferguson, as the dollars in the health budget are amongst the most contested dollars of all. But, why would you put the whole of rural Tasmania’s wellbeing into a department that is trying to support multiple regional hospitals. So, part of the conversation between RAW and governments is that they need to have a much more strategic vision.”

In five years Liz would like to see RA W’s outreach program adequately staffed and covering all of rural regional and remote Tasmania.

“I would like to see organisations with specialist services using RAW almost as their vehicle into where the people are. We don’t need to be the service that delivers everything, but we can be the service that people trust and that they will go to and that they will welcome into their homes. So, we can hopefully have a delivery system that can take the right services to them,” she said .

“We will never get a whole range of clinical services or expensive services located in rural communities, but if we can identify the people who need those services and help those services go out to where those people are. Then we could have a high quality service delivery system and allow people to get over the blockages of access that they have now.”

And it’s not necessarily about throwing the proverbial “bucket of money” at it either.

“The reality is that we are in a resource scarce environment so there is not going to be a whole pile of resources thrown at this,” Liz said.

“We could achieve a great deal by working very differently. It is actually about building our services around people and going where people are. It is not about every town having a hospital, but if we know about people that are at risk, it’s about having services to help them not get sicker, or to cope with a crisis better. We can all do this together by working together and differently.”

Fighting the good fightWhat you get is what you see with RAW CEO Liz Little

12 SHED NEWS JULY 2017

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A few of the guys from Port Cygnet Men’s Shed pictured next to their new bandsaw, purchased with DPaC funds from last round.

(From left: Keith Presnell, Bruce Barnett, and Mike Wood)

PORT CYGNET MEN’S SHED