30/05/2026
The Blackwood Hills Men’s Shed was delighted to host a visit by The Hon. Katrine Hildyard, South Australian Minister for Human Services and Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well on Friday 29 th May 2026.
The Minister’s visit officially confirmed the state government’s pre-election commitment to contribute $280k toward the cost of constructing new dedicated shed space that will help to accommodate the Shed’s rapidly growing membership and ensure that more men have access to safe, supportive connections in their local community.
President of the Blackwood Hills Men’s Shed, Graham Brown, says “our Shed has been growing steadily since its establishment in 2022 and currently has more than 80 registered members.
The State Government has recognised and is seeking to support the Blackwood Hills Men’s Shed which has quickly become a vital local hub.
The Shed has experienced rapid growth since it was established in 2022 and now supports more than 80 members aged from their 30s through to its older member who are in their 90 ’s.
The Shed has established a very healthy, inclusive environment that welcomes men from the Blackwood Hills and surrounding areas, find a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose and experience real mateship.
Shed members enjoy a lot of laughs as they work shoulder to shoulder on meaningful projects whilst sharing their skills and life experience with other guys.
The new facilities will provide dedicated space that will almost double the amount of space currently available for woodwork, welding and metalwork and products manufactured using computer-aided design and CNC production technology.
The Men’s Shed has recently opened a weekly session on Tuesdays in addition to its ongoing Wednesday and Friday sessions, each held between 9am and 1pm.
The Shed welcomes visitors who want to come along to see what happens during Shed sessions. New members are always welcome.
Catherine Hutchesson MP, Member for Waite says “the Blackwood Hills Men’s Shed provides something our community needs now more than ever.”
The State Government’s funding, championed by Waite MP Catherine Hutchesson, reflects recognition of the need to address the health and wellbeing challenges faced by older men in South Australia and around the world.
Men’s Sheds are a very effective way of promoting men’s mental and physical health by wellbeing by improving social connectedness.
The Minister for Human Services and Ageing Well, Katrine Hildyard, says “we know too many men in South Australia are experiencing loneliness and poor mental health, too often in silence”.
That’s why community-led spaces like Men’s Sheds that bring men together matter as they play an increasingly important role in supporting men’s mental health across South Australia, with around 5000 regular members attending Men’s Sheds across the State, demonstrating the scale of demand for safe, community-based connection.
The Minister said that the State Government’s funding contribution would help ensure places like the Blackwood Hills Men’s Shed can continue to grow, reach more people and expressed thanks for the positive difference that Men’s Sheds can make as they strengthen communities across the state.
Men’s Sheds are warm and welcoming places where people can come
together, share stories, learn new skills and build genuine connections.
At a time when many men are experiencing mental health challenges, loneliness and isolation, Men’s Shed offers something incredibly important:
Somewhere to go:
Someone to meet: and
Something to do.
The Blackwood Hills Men’s Shed seeks to strengthen its community, to build resilience and to remind people they are not alone as they face life’s challenges.
