A GREAT relationship with the blokes at Chelsea Men’s Shed has led one woman to partner with them to launch a women’s program.
Tamarin Young’s involvement with the Shed wasn’t about fellowship or support, key principles that men’s sheds around Victoria embrace. It was more about necessity. As a single mum doing a DIY home renovation, Young found herself visiting the shed for help with her projects.
“I had been doing a lot of do-it-yourself projects. I had purchased my own house and as a single mum had a steep learning curve in maintenance and renovation,” said Young. “Some of the renovation skills were too challenging for me. So, if I had a complicated cabinetry cut, I would head down to the Shed. They’d happily do it for me, and I would make a donation to them for their trouble.”
Over time, the visits led to a strong relationship with the men at the Shed, and an idea that there must be more women like Young who could benefit from the expertise and equipment Chelsea Men’s Shed offered. “I had a chat to the president, and he was incredibly supportive. In fact, the entire crew there have been really supportive of the idea,” said Young. “They said we could use the shed on a day it was currently sitting disused.
“There has previously been women’s programs at the Shed, so it wasn’t a new idea. I am fortunate that others have come before me and laid the groundwork. All I am doing is picking up the idea again.”
Young is now on a mission to recruit women to partake in her program.
“Men’s sheds have traditionally operated as a support network for older men, people with disability and with mental health challenges,” said Young. “They have been incredibly successful engaging men with like-minded men and offering them a strong sense of community. “So, I see the women’s program more about empowering women to develop those skills. Whether it is out of a desire to learn, or out of necessity. If someone is a single mum, or on their own, it can be daunting tacking maintenance issues around the house. But with a little knowledge and experience, it becomes much easier.”
Young made it clear that this isn’t about getting into the men’s space. “I think it is amazing what they are doing there. We don’t want to disrupt that in any way,” said Young. “It is an important place to protect, but what about the days it is sitting idle? It makes sense to offer the program to help another group in the community that can benefit.”
Young says she has seen firsthand the empowering nature of the kind of program she is offering. “I have watched women do the induction program and see them ticking the ideas over in their heads and thinking ‘yes, I can do that’,” said Young. “It opens doors in terms of independence in the household which often helps with not being reliant on outside help, or expensive trades.”
Chelsea Men’s Shed is currently not being used on Fridays, so Young has adopted that as the day she plans to run her program. “We are welcoming women of all ages and background. Women of all skill levels,” said Young. “We are keen to create an inclusive and welcoming environment and, if this appeals to you, would encourage you to reach out”
If you would like to know more, call Tamarin Young on 0405 189 230, or email: women@chelseamensshed.org.au
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 8 October 2025
