On Saturday morning April 18, 2025, a cheerful and large crowd gathered at Abrahamson Road, near the Whitianga Airport to celebrate the official opening of the Whitianga Community Menz Shed – and yes, in this case, getting excited about a shed is entirely warranted.
The Office Crew: Ian Robbie, Anusha Bhana, and Fred Collins.
The opening marks the culmination of years of planning, hard work, and community spirit. Members of the Menz Shed designed and built the facility themselves, creating a space where men can come together a couple of times a week to work with a full range of workshop tools and equipment.
But as President Glenn Schache was quick to point out, the shed is about far more than woodworking.
More Than Just a Shed
The Menz Shed movement originated in Australia, after the government identified a concerning trend among retired men – their mental health was declining at an alarming rate. Retirement is one of life’s most significant transitions – and one which impact on men’s wellbeing often goes unacknowledged.
The challenges facing retired men are real and well-documented: loss of identity, social isolation, the disappearance of routine and structure, a reduced sense of purpose and contribution, and the onset of depression, anxiety, and physical health decline.
The Menz Shed was conceived as a direct response to these challenges. While the community will certainly benefit from the birdhouses, pot holders, and chopping boards that members produce, the true purpose of the shed is to create a place where men can have meaningful conversations, form genuine friendships, and feel seen, heard, valued, and supported.
The event was introduced by local identity, Vegas Brown, who set a warm and welcoming tone for the occasion. Glenn Schache, President of the Menz Shed and leader of this huge project followed with a heartfelt speech paying tribute to Richard and Dianne Vetter, acknowledging their extraordinary time, effort, and financial contribution in making the shed a reality. Not just as previous owners of Peninsula Roofing and Scaffolding but as community members. He also praised the dedication of the “sheddies” – the Site Crew members who rolled up their sleeves and built the structure themselves, completing it at a fraction of normal cost.
Some of them were not involved as members who just volunteered in the beginning. thanks to generous donations and sponsorships from the wider community. Glenn thanked Brian Mearns who got the project started when President prior to Glenn and also expressed his gratitude to the Office Crew who during the build looked after the finance side of things plus applied for funding. – Anusha Bhana, Ian Robbie and Fred Collins. Glenn’s thankfulness to the businesses, builders and tradies who had donated their machinery, skills and time had made build possible saving three hundred thousand dollars in costs was heart-felt and paramount. For example, the roof was donated by Peninsula Roofing and Scaffolding under its present General Manager, Grant Haycock.
It was a proud moment when Glenn introduced his family and admitted they had put up with nothing else but non-stop conversations about ‘this shed’ for the last twelve months.
Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Peter Revell also addressed the gathering, speaking about the importance of belonging and the bonds that form between men when they share a common space and purpose. Mayor Revell then joined Richard and Diane Vetter in cutting the ribbon, officially declaring the Whitianga Menz Shed open for business.
Adding to the atmosphere, musical duo Saltwood – harpist Anna Dunwoodies and guitarist Len Salt – played soft jazz from a corner of the shed, lending the morning a relaxed and celebratory feel. Visitors were invited to tour the facilities, enjoy morning tea, and grab a sausage or a ‘bacon butty’ from the sizzle generously provided by the Whitianga Lions Club.
Get Involved
The Whitianga Menz Shed is open to men of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re handy with tools or just looking for a place to connect, all are welcome. For more information on how to become a member or get involved, contact: Glenn Schache (President) 027 495 2015, Fred Collins (Secretary) 027 245 4105.
P.S. You’ll also find Menz Sheds in Whitianga, Thames, Whangamata, Matarangi, and Pauanui.
