The Men’s Place

Empowering Remote Communities

The Men’s Place is a Good Projects Australia flagship initiative designed to empower men in remote communities across Australia. The team behind this project includes community development experts, men’s wellness leaders, procurement professionals and cultural advisors.

Grounded in the proven Men's Shed concept, we tailor the design and delivery of this model to help address the unique needs and cultural complexities of remote communities.

The Men’s Place serves as a community hub where men can come together to reduce social isolation; access important health, wellbeing and professional services; learn new skills, and participate in meaningful paid work in locally-led social enterprises.

Programs and activities include:

  • Regular yarning circles

  • Skills building & small enterprise (cultural artefacts, small construction, mechanics etc.)

  • Paid employment

  • Health check-ups

  • Trauma counselling

  • Family & legal support

  • Truth-telling and healing

  • Connecting to Country

  • Ongoing, community project design and funding support via the Good Projects Australia Team

Importantly, these sheds aim to strengthen men’s roles within their families and communities, helping to prevent family violence and reduce rates of incarceration.

Marcus Aurelius

“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”

A Place-Based Approach

The Men’s Place program has emerged from the understanding that many remote communities want and need a men’s space, yet encounter significant challenges with funding, land tenure, construction, program design, project management, stakeholder management, reporting and more.

The Good Projects Australia team, through its broad experience navigating these complexities, can help guide a community from initial concept to a fully operational, self-sustaining Men’s Place.

We always take a collaborative, therapeutic, trauma-informed, community-led, place-based approach, combining practical, hands-on support with flexible programs, activities and enterprises that are tailored to meet each community’s specific needs.

In all our work, we emphasise accountability, healing, and self-determination for men, families, and communities.

This approach aligns with the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022-2032) and Closing the Gap initiatives that prioritise community control and culturally appropriate responses to family violence.

A Collaborative Process

At Good Projects Australia, we follow a structured yet flexible process to help communities establish their own Men’s Place.

  • We begin with a conversation to understand your community’s needs, goals, and vision for The Men’s Place.

  • Our team conducts a detailed assessment to explore funding opportunities, land tenure considerations, and other critical factors for project initiation. Basic research is tailored to your community’s unique context.

  • We help secure financial resources through:

    • Government grants

    • Philanthropic partnerships

    • Corporate sponsorships

  • Engaging directly with your community is at the heart of our process. We conduct on-ground consultations to ensure:

    • Cultural considerations are central to planning

    • Co-designed programs reflect local needs and aspirations

  • Based on community needs, we provide options for:

    • Designing and building new facilities, including staff housing

    • Renovating or retrofitting existing infrastructure

    We partner with trusted organisations, including the University of Melbourne’s Bower Design Studio, for sustainable, high-quality, culturally informed infrastructure solutions.

  • Based on community consultations, aspirations and potential, we identify local Social Enterprise ideas and help to make these a reality. Enterprises include:

    • Cultural artefact making and distribution

    • Small construction

    • Mechanics

  • We work closely with the community to roll out all programs and activities, including:

    • Guidance and mentoring

    • Stakeholder management

    • Hands-on operational support

  • Our team assists with:

    • Measuring program outcomes

    • Preparing grant acquittals

    • Producing detailed project reports to ensure accountability and transparency

Join Us On This
Exciting Journey

We are building a network of Men’s Places to empower at scale. No matter what stage of your journey you’re at, please reach out to learn more about how we can work together.

Contact Us