The Katoomba Men's Shed is back in business and was reopened recently by Councillors Don McGregor and Kerry Brown.
The shed has been operating on a restricted basis following a traffic accident in March which severely damaged the building. It officially reopened on July 24.
Shed President Peter Kinkead said the return to normal operation has required a substantial community effort involving the Blue Mountains City Council, their building contractor, insurance personnel and Shed members.
The Men's Shed provides a place where men can be in the company of other men. It addresses issues of social isolation, loneliness and depression that many men experience. There is good evidence that just belonging to a community organisation such as a Men's Shed can be a big help.
The Men's Shed movement is still expanding, with more than 900 Men's Sheds in Australia. The Blue Mountains now sports four Men's Sheds, with the Katoomba Men's Shed being the oldest and largest. The Lower Mountains Men's Shed is planning to open their new facility in Mount Riverview October and the Central Mountains Men's Shed in Lawson will officially open in the near future. The Blackheath Area Men's Shed is also thriving.
