Australian Men's Shed Association

Australian Men's Shed Association
Private
Industry Health & Wellbeing
Founded 2007
Headquarters Australia
Area served
 Australia
Website mensshed.org

The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) is a non-profit organization that was set up in April 2007 to aid men's sheds across Australia. The purpose of the Association was to offer a central source for all Men’s Sheds in the country, due to the number of duplicate men's sheds appearing.

The AMSA represents 900 men's sheds, acting as a central support organization to over 125,000 Australian men.[1]

History

The concept was originally discussed in 2005, before it was formally founded in 2007. The initial aim was to provide central support to the men's sheds across Australia.[2] This would be done through distributing free information, while aiming to develop men's sheds, and their effectiveness. These aims resulted in a common goal, which resulted in minimising the setup and running costs associated with men's sheds.[2]

In 2010 the Federal Government of Australia launched the Men’s Health Policy, which identified and recognized the role the AMSA play in men's health throughout Australia.[3] This identification led to them receiving a grant of AU$3 million to help support their foundation. Later that year the organization also became registered as a tax-deductible recipient.[4]

The success of AMSA is now a model, which is being replicated by numerous non-profit organisations worldwide, including Japan, Europe and North America.[5]

Support

The AMSA provide a variety of services aimed at members, such as risk management advice and insurance.[1] The organization also aims to source funding and resources that benefit men's sheds.[6] Every two years the AMSA holds a National Conference, aimed at sharing knowledge and experiences. In 2015 it held its 6th Annual Conference,[7] where different aims and achievements were discussed. The conference in 2015 attracted over 400 delegates and had a number of key speakers involved in health and men's sheds.[7]

The AMSA also provides an online forum for members, along with aids to apply for development grants.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Who is AMSA". Australian Men's Shed Association. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  2. 1 2 "What Britain can learn about Men's Sheds". AMSA. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  3. ↑ "BBC Documentary - Men's Sheds". BBC. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "Department of Health and Ageing Grant". Australian Health Department. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  5. ↑ "What Britain can learn about Men's Sheds". University of Leicester. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  6. ↑ "Grants for new Men's Sheds". The Shed Online. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  7. 1 2 "AMSA 6th Annual Conference Newcastle". DC Conferences. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "The Australian - Secret Men's Business". The Australian. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
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