By: Justin Rouillon
Loneliness and social isolation are serious public health threats, so Shed Happens started a men’s group in a truck yard.
Read more: Shed Happens: Building Connections And Support For Men
Shed Happens is an organisation that has been helping Aussie men find connection, encouragement and friendship for almost 25 years. Founded by the late Ian ‘Watto’ Watson, Shed Happens was built on Ian’s motto that he’d “never seen a bloke go backwards with encouragement”.
Vern Wilson- a committee member of Shed Happens- explains how this innovative program moves beyond conventional community group models by focusing on heartfelt conversations.
“ If you give men a safe environment, they generally will open up and talk more freely about things that they’re going through,” Vern said.
“ Instead of being like a woodwork shed, we’re a shed that actually interviews people. The topics cover the good, the bad, the sad and the ugly, and we have men involved across every age group.”
Shed Happens in full swing at Watto’s truck yard in Murrumba Downs. Image credit: Supplied
The initial idea for the ministry came after the loss of one of Watto’s good mates Greg Polinski to suicide in the late nineties.
Before his passing, Greg didn’t know how to share what he was going through with those around him.
“He sadly took his life because we couldn’t talk – we didn’t know how. So that has been a major driver behind Shed Happens. We want to help men tell their story in a supportive environment without judgement. We can’t be isolated from each other – connection touches people’s hearts.”
Vern shared how Watto noticed how men would open open up to him in the cab of a truck, while receiving lessons and training.
“Watto had a truck driver training business, and he would give lessons to men getting their truck licenses, and he found the one-on-one time was just so incredible with these guys.
“They would sit and talk about issues in their life that often you’d never get to hear about. And he thought, why couldn’t we bring men together with a format that actually allows a safe place for these men to come along and talk.”
Founder of Shed Happens Ian ‘Watto’ Watson was also an author of four books. Image credit: Justin Rouillon
By offering a welcoming environment, Shed Happens enables men to discuss issues they face, including topics like relationships, health, and personal struggles.
Originally starting in a church setting, Watto moved the gathering to his Murrumba Downs truck yard, to help men who may have otherwise found it difficult to set foot inside a church.
“ Absolutely any bloke can come along irrespective of their background, their culture, whether they go to church or not,” said Vern. “The aim of these meetings is to draw people in that are needing a bit of help and needing somewhere to go for friendship – it’s all about connecting.”
Watto (right) leads a Shed Happens gathering. Image credit: Supplied
Shed Happens has now spread all over Australia. For those looking at ways to support and encourage men, it’s an easy gathering to get up and running.
“ It doesn’t need to run in a shed. It doesn’t need to run under a church covering. It just needs a few good guys that say, ‘Hey, I’ve been through the battle of life. I’d like to support somebody else in the journey.’
“ A lot of our guys run sheds out of a coffee shop; they just ask if they can sit in the back corner with ten or twelve people around a table and just do a morning tea.”
Find out more about Shed Happens.
If anything in this story has affected you, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue.
Justin is an audio and podcast producer with Rise 96.5. He is the writer and host of the documentary The Rise & Fall of Easterfest, which looks back at how Easterfest grew into a major Christian music festival, and the events that led to its conclusion.
Feature image: canva.com
