There's a shed in Seventeen Mile Rocks where blokes with some time on their hands show up and leave with mates, skills, and a project on the go.
Centenary Suburbs Men's Shed — a workshop, an art & craft studio, a garden and a good yarn. There's nearly always someone about, but if you're coming down for the first time, make it a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday morning, 7:00am to 11:30am.
Retired. Semi-retired. Between jobs. Kids grown up. Partner busy. House quiet.
If the week feels a bit long and the garage tools are getting dusty — you're not on your own. Most blokes who walk through our door say the same thing: "I needed something to do, and somewhere to do it with other blokes."
That's what the shed is. You don't need to be a tradie. You don't need to own tools. You don't need to be good with people. You just need to turn up.
What you get when you walk in
Something to do with your hands
A fully-kitted workshop. Lathes, saws, welders, sanders, dust extraction. Timber and offcuts. If you've never picked up a tool, someone will show you. If you have, you'll find a new project within ten minutes.
Mates your own age — or close enough
No one's checking your résumé. Kettle's always on. We have smoko together, we build things together, and some blokes come just for the conversation.
A purpose for the week
Building a 1920s Atkinson Steam Truck. Building native beehives that go to the community. Making street libraries for the neighbourhood. Your hands will be busy doing something that matters.
A quick story about how we got here
In January 2011, Brisbane flooded. Half of the Centenary suburbs went under. People lost homes, furniture, memories. In the middle of that mess, a few blokes got together in an unpowered gardener's shed at Jindalee Golf Course and started helping people rebuild.
That was us. Fifteen years on, we've got our own purpose-built facility on Monier Road, an art & craft studio, a garden, a fleet of tools, and blokes coming from every corner of south-west Brisbane.
We started because the community needed us. We're still here for the same reason.
What's on at the shed
The Workshop
Timber, metal, restoration, repairs, big builds and small fixes. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday — 7:00am to 11:30am.
The Art & Craft Studio
Painting, drawing, craft and leather work. Opened in 2019 and growing every year. Art studio Wednesdays 9:00am–2:00pm; craft studio Mondays & Thursdays 8:00am–11:30am.
The Garden & Chooks
Grow potted plants and herbs (we sell 'em to fund the shed). Feed the chooks. Get out of the house.
Community Projects
Street library phone boxes. Beehives for local backyards. Possum nesting boxes. Planters, gates, repairs — wherever the community needs a hand.
What blokes say about the shed
"I didn't really know what to expect when I first walked in, to be honest. But from day one, someone shoved a mug of tea in my hand and showed me the ropes. It's given my weeks a proper rhythm again."
"I originally came down just to use the thicknesser for a table I was building. Two years later, I'm here three days a week. The tools are great, but it's the blokes you end up staying for."
"Bob was absolutely miserable for the first six months after he retired. He was just pacing around the house. Since he joined the shed, he's like a new man. Now I can't get him to come home on a Monday!"
We're the real deal
Registered charity with DGR status — donations are tax-deductible.
Member of the Australian Men's Shed Association — one of 1,040+ sheds nationally.
Backed by Brisbane City Council, the Federal Government, multiple Major and Community Sponsors.
Over ten-plus years of community work. Hundreds of projects.
Two more ways to get involved
Buy something we made
Native beehives. Potted herbs. Possum nesting boxes. Every dollar keeps the shed running.
Visit the Shed Shop arrow_forwardChip in
Donations are tax-deductible and every cent goes into tools, timber and the building. If you've got a few bucks to spare, we'll put it to work.
Donate arrow_forwardAlright — how do you actually join?
Three options, pick whichever feels easiest:
Rock up
There's nearly always someone about. The chooks, the bees and the veggie garden need looking after seven days a week, so the place is rarely quiet. If you're coming down for the first time, make it a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday morning, 7:00am to 11:30am. That's when there's someone on hand to put the kettle on and show you round. 125 Monier Road, Seventeen Mile Rocks. Open to men of all ages.
Email first
If you'd rather have a chat before you come down, email info@csms.org.au and we'll get back to you.
Fill in the form
Membership fee is approximately $100. You can download the form on the Join page.