>I've always wondered why they need to be so sexist. Is it so terrible to have women around?

I dunno, maybe ask the woman you quoted:

"While the local men's shed welcomes women, Ms Reardon said there were many women who wanted their own space.

"People like me that would feel intimidated going into what would traditionally be a man's space … want to learn with other women," she said."

The women themselves don't want to be around men because men are so horrible apparently.