It was about getting the message out there that your mental health is important as the Nanango Men’s Shed held a sausage sizzle for R U OK? Day.
On Thursday 12 September in front of the Heritage Bank in Nanango, the Nanango Men’s Shed held a free sausage sizzle to raise awareness about mental health for R U OK? Day.
The Nanango Men’s Shed were asked to run this free sausage sizzle by the Heritage Bank for the past couple years.
“The Heritage covers the cost of everything,” Tone, Nanango Men’s Shed manager said.
“The Heritage does a lot for our shed,” he said. “They have donated a lot of money and resources to us.”
“We do a sausage sizzle once a month down at IGA,” Tone said, “So this ones a give back to the community thing.”
Tone said that he hoped that by running this free sausage sizzle, it would give the Nanango Men’s Shed some exposure to the community.
“We have difficulty getting the members we’d like to have,” he said.
“Our shed burnt down some time ago, which kind of split the group and then covid of course. After that, things died down.
“We’re always looking for more members.”
This has been accomplished, as Tone states that by turning up, they have had people enquire about the shed, and have then extended an invitation to those interested to check it out.
“The R U OK? concept is in line with the Men’s shed mission, of giving men a place to go for mental health purposes” Tone said.
“It gives the chance to talk to each other and get it out of your system.
“The men’s shed was established in order for men to have a place to vent and share experiences and tribulations,” Tone said. “The R U OK? is really along the same lines as that.”
“Men tend to internalize their issues much more than women.
“Having the men’s shed is having guys that can call each other names and joke amongst themselves,” Tone said. “Also, not many of us are working age, so the men’s shed provides us with a structure for the week.”
The free sausage sizzle was a great success, with Jo Hassan, the R U OK? Community Ambassador present to hand out information and to talk about the importance of opening up.
