Hello and welcome back to the Shed Wireless podcast.

We have a very special episode for you today – bringing you chats with the winners of the recent 2026 National Shed Awards! I was privileged to attends the awards presentation night at the National Gathering in Brisbane and meet the award winders in person.

And – I also sang a few tunes at the dinner – what a great night. But enough of that – let’s talk to the winners and find out about the projects that scored them the award! First up we have the Green Shed award, which recognises a project or activity that puts the environment or recycling at its heart. There were so many great entries in this category that the judges couldn’t decide on one winner -so they awarded two. Today I’m talking to Alan Reid from the Nepean Men’s Shed on the outskirts of Sydney. G’day Alan.

Welcome to The Shed Wireless Podcast 2026 National Shed Awards special! The Green shed award was previously called the Sustainability award, so that gives you a pretty clear idea what it’s about! This year two sheds took out that honour and Marty’s talking to one of those winners

The Dingley Village Men’s Shed in Victoria.

Welcome to The Shed Wireless Podcast 2026 National Shed Awards special. In this segment we’re chatting to the winners of the Bright Spark award. That’s the award for the shed that shows innovation, – a unique or unusual approach to a problem or project

And the winner this year was the Marlin Coast Men’s Shed in Queensland. Here to tell us all about it is Eric Wilson.

Welcome to The Shed Wireless Podcast 2026 National Shed Awards 2026 special.

The Healthy Shed, Healthy Blokes Award recognises a shed that promotes men’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. Alright, let’s cross over to Stuart, who’s got a chat lined up with this year’s winner

Cockburn - Community Impact Award: Shed Wireless 2026 Awards Special

Welcome to The Shed Wireless Podcast 2026 National Shed Awards special. Our final award category is the Community impact award, also known as Shed of the Year award. This award recognises a Shed doing great things for their community.

This episode includes a rewind of some of our favourite and most popular segments.

Here’s what we’ll be talking about this episode:

• On the Road: JPY’s old friend Butch shares his tips on the best all rounder kit for fishing in On the Road.
• On the tools: JPY and Marty talk to Mal Conomy is a serious metal lathe guru who’s retirement hobby fashioning Hercus lathe spare parts has resulted in some unexpected benefits!
• Ask the Doc: Stuart Torrence finds out why your balance is so important and how to improve it.
• Special Guest: JPY shares some nostalgia with Aussie country music magnate John Williamson
• Nailed It: Rip Woodchip muses about staying social.

In this special Christmas episode:

Special guest – Santa!

Well, Bob from the Yanchep Community Men’s shed in Northern Perth, Western Australia.

Shed in the spotlight,

Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed in NSW tell us about their Christmas shop!

On the tools,

Gary from Morgan’s Mens Shed on the Murray River in South Australia - how they get involved in the local Christmas pageant.

In On the Pulse,

Stuart Torrence chats with me about how to enjoy Christmas and not over do it!

And finally in Nailed It, Rip Woodchip is talking to us about Christmas and gift giving.

In this episode today:

Special guest

Meet honorary member of the Wynnum Manly Shed – 100 year old sister Angela Mary Doyle, you’ll need to stick around to listen to find out what makes her so special.

In On the Pulse

Stuart Torrence caught up with a couple to blokes from two of the organisations who were part of the Big Breakfast: Ashely Dawson from the Nitro Garage Mental health hub, and then Greg McGann, Manager of the young adult and mental health services at the, Mater Hospital Brisbane.

On the road

David Westlake from the Wynnum Manly Shed who’s talking to Marty about their beautiful area and what’s great to see there.

Nailed It.

Rip is also on a road trip, and tells us his best tips for road tripping.