Paul L’Huillier

Projects & Other News

January 27, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

West Peak Hotel Fundraiser

This Friday 31st January. Come along and support this Shed fundraising initiative. Dinner from 5:30 pm and 20 raffle draws at 7:00 pm. Funds towards the Shed Extension. Shed sells the tickets (we have sellers identified). All you need to do is enjoy the meal and the social occasion. Please bring your partner or friend.

New 15″ Thicknesser – spiral cutting heads

With assistance from a $2,000.00 grant from the *Alpine Shires Community Development Fund* and a *Shed contribution* of $1,200.00 we now have a state of the art **‘Thicknesser’** for preparing wood surfaces. The boys are excited about this new piece of equipment. Pictured from left: *Henry Ziemnicki, Rod Hyde, Derek Hutton, Reg Hollonds & Mal Darwent*

Neighbourhood Centre Project

This Community project involves the Men’s Shed constructing a new ramp to one of the portables (Stage 1), another garden shed (Stage 2) and a fence (Stage 3). This will improve the whole appearance to the area next to the Alex McCullough Hall.

**Stage 1** completed and officially opened by *Mal Darwent (left) & Barry Hinson* cutting the ribbon. *Dick Puttyfoot* getting suck into the serious part of the project.

Kenyan Topbar Beehives

Local Australia Day Awards

On Sunday 26th January in the Hydro Park (next to the swimming pool) the local Alpine Shire Australia Day Awards were presented. We had two members involved. Reg Hollonds was the guest speaker and spoke about his early days in the Kiewa Valley. Nick Brown was the recipient of two awards. The Alpine Shire Local Achiever of the Year (Kiewa Valley) and the Alpine Shire Citizen of the Year (for the whole Shire). Nick congratulations. Well deserved. Also thank you to the Upper Kiewa Valley Lions Club for hosting the Awards for the Alpine Shire. The club has been providing this service forever.

Victorian Men’s Shed Association Newsletter – January 2020. Click [HERE] to view.

Shed Re-Opens

January 20, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

Last Tuesday 14th January the Shed re-opened following the holiday break. Projects currently being worked on are — finalising the application for the Shed Extension Building Permit, Neighbourhood Centre Project (new ramp, another garden shed and fence), Kenyan Top Bar Bee Hives, Deer Guards, trailer renovations, installation of our new 15″ Thicknesser machine plus a number of small jobs that keep coming in.

Meetings

Committee – Monday 10th February 9:30 am at the Shed.

BBQ Lunch & General Meeting — Friday 14th February 11:30 am for lunch at 12 noon.

Christmas Street Decoration Dismantling

This was started on Sunday 19th January and we just completed Kiewa St when the rain came. We re-scheduled for Monday at 9:30 am but again the rain came. The weather improved in the afternoon and the remaining decorations in Hollonds St were taken down. Thanks to the following members for assistance: Dick Puttyfoot, Brian Keeble, Mal Darwent, Duncan Robinson, Henry Ziemnicki, Derek Hutton, Barry Hinson, John Driver, Campbell Ford and Paul L’Huillier. Thanks also to the North East Home Improvement Co for the use of their portable scaffolding.

The shed has been operational for four years

What sort of projects has the Shed completed for the community, clients and the Shed itself since we opened in January 2016? You will be surprised! Click [HERE] to view.

Community Catch Up/Feedback on the current fire situation — Thursday 23rd January.

Alpine Shire is asking for practical community feedback on the current fire situation. In particular, it wants information and feedback on what our local community feels the Shire has done well to address any issues, and what it needs to improve, in both the short and long term. These informal meetings are being run throughout the shire.

Two informal community meetings will be held at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre next Thursday, January 23 from 9.30 am and from 6.00 pm.

Other ways for feedback would be to email <info@mountbeauty.org.au>

These meetings will provide the Alpine Shire with your feedback and the shire will follow up with formal meetings about what services will be available.

Refreshments and food will be provided at both sessions.

Are you Scam Savvy?

Scammers are professional criminals, using sophisticated tricks to dupe thousands of Victorian every year. Take a look at this article — Common scams and tips to avoid them – Consumer Affairs Victoria. Click [HERE] to view.

Pre-Chrismas News Extra

December 23, 2019 By Paul L'Huillier

Street Christmas Decorations

For the sixth year, the Men’s Shed has erected the street Christmas decorations. This was done on Sunday 8th December with two shifts each of six men working for a total of four hours. Thanks to all involved.

**Hollonds Street** — the new flashing solar fairy-lights add to the atmosphere.

Green Thumb Gardeners still needed

Come and join our **Green Thumb Garden** group and assist in developing the *Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre’s* wonderful garden and have produce to share. Each Tuesday morning from 10:00 am. Free cuppa and cake for all the workers. **Contact co-ordinator**: *Marie Lucas-Gear* **Mob**: 0438 619 942.

Media Releases re Shed Extension Grant

Jaclyn Symes (Member for Northern Victoria) — Click [HERE] to view.
Alpine Observer – 11th Dec ’19 — Click [HERE] to view.

Shed Torque

Shed re-opens on Tuesday 14th January 2020 with a FREE sausage sizzle (snag in bread) at 12 noon.
Veteran Survival — Tony Fraser & Wayne Taylor and Josh & Megan New speak openly with John Walker about how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects their lives. Click [HERE] to view a video of the interview.
Bill Sutton’s 80th Birthday celebrations — Saturday 4th January 2020 at Settlers Tavern, Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga South, commencing at about 12.00 noon. Bill and Yvonne would love for you to come along and enjoy the afternoon. NO PRESENTS please, just pay for your lunch and drinks, or if preferred, simply come along and say g’day, and have a chat (he loves to chat, as we all know). If you can make it for lunch, please let Yvonne know – mob: ‭0438 575 441‬ or email <dearest040140@gmail.com> so that she can let Settlers know how many to cater for.
Know Your Nuts — From the first time a boy gets his testicles hit in the schoolyard, he becomes keenly aware of his nuts. But while men talk about, joke about and learn to carefully protect their testicles, most men don’t know them as well as they should. Click [HERE] to learn more.
Neighbourhood Centre Project — The improvements to the garden shed area of the Centre are progressing. Currently, work has been done in preparation for Bobcat work, adding road fill, boxing foundations and cementing. Another garden shed and fence will be erected in the new year.

AMSA & VMSA News

• Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) Newsletter – The Shedder. Click [HERE] to view.

• Victorian Men’s Shed Association (VMSA) Newsletters – November: Click [HERE] to view and December: Click [HERE] to view.

What a Great Xmas Present…

November 25, 2019 By Paul L'Huillier

Read the Victorian Government letter [HERE]

Thank you — The Men’s Shed committee would like to thank the following for the support given that resulted in the success of the Shed Extension Project Application.

The 27 community organisations and businesses that provided letters of support;
Helen Mathew (Mountain Creek Architecture) for the very professional work on the plans;
Tiffany Clare our local Victorian Department of Health & Human Services liaison person in Wangaratta;
The Shed Members who encouraged the committee to initiate the project and to see it through.

Shed Torque

Erection of the Street Christmas Decorations — Sunday 8th December starting at 4:00 pm opposite the Community Centre. This is an annual community event for the Shed. If you can assist please contact Paul L’Huillier — Mobile: 0400 056 247 or Email <paullhuillier@bigpond.com>. Help appreciated.
Shed Holiday Dates — Shed closes Wednesday 11th December 2019 and re-opens on Tuesday 14th January 2010 with a FREE sausage sizzle (snag in bread) at 12 noon.
Member news — A number of members have been on the sick and injured list of late. We wish David Wood, Roland Passuello, Reg Hollonds, Shane Clooney, John Driver and Warwick Mitchell a speedy recovery.
New member — Welcome to Jeff Cummings. Thank you for the support and we will see you at the Shed.
Current Projects — More Deer Guards for the Friends of the Clover Arboretum, Bee Hives: the Kenyan Topbar type, miniature wooden wheelbarrow making, work for the Neighbourhood Centre i.e. construction of a concrete ramp, erection of another shed plus foundations and a fence, refurbishment of a clients vanity cabinet, covering of the NHCentre’s greenhouse with shade-cloth, cake stand, upgrading a donated trailer for Shed use and construction of bench seats for the Secondary College.

Christmas Luncheon

The annual Christmas Luncheon was held last Wednesday 20th November in the Alex McCullough Hall. We had 47 in attendance. Thank you to Trish Dixon (manager) of the Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre for the use of the Hall and the kitchen. Very much appreciated.

Our Chef de Shed Mark Hardidge and his band of helpers provided the usual excellent luncheon. A number of presentations were made to recognise people who have assisted the Shed (see below).

**Certificates of Appreciation** presented by vice president *Mark Hardidge* to *Len Sims* (left) and president *Dick Puttyfoot* (right).

**Presentation to *Helen Mathew* (Mountain Creek Architecture)**. From left: *Dick Puttyfoot* (president), *Helen* and *Ian Howley* (secretary).

*Irvin Beeston* — read his Shed poems [**HERE**]

Left photo — *Herb Ougham* being presented with a small wooden gift that has had his name routed on it by *Dick Puttyfoot*. Herb is our oldest active member at age 88 years. Right photo — The great food being served to members.

The four ladies pictured each received a bunch of flowers from president Dick Puttyfoot in appreciation for the work they do to assist the men who man the Football/Netball Gate for the home games at Dederang and Mount Beauty. It’s a major fundraiser for the Shed. From left: *Laurene, Kerry, Maureen and Adele*.

From left: New member Henry & Karin Ziemnicki, Helen Mathew, Jeremy & Jenny Reichl, Noel & Helen McDougall.

2019 Christmas Luncheon

November 11, 2019 By Paul L'Huillier

Date: Wednesday 20^th November 2019

Location: Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre’s Alex McCullough Hall

Time: 12 noon

Cost: $12.00 (pay at the door) – It’s very much appreciated if the correct money is paid.

Who is invited? Members and their partners, potential members and visitors.

Menu: You will be able to have your choice of roast beef, venison or chicken with vegetables, quiche and garden salad for mains, followed by plum pudding, fruit salad, custard and cream. Tea, coffee or fruit punch also available with shortbread and mince pies.

For catering purposes please RSVP by Monday 18^th November to our Chef de Shed Mark Hardidge: Mob: 0407 549 651 or Email <maurk01@bigpond.com>.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please include with your RSVP.

Shed Torque

Shed Holiday Dates— Closing on Wednesday 11th Dec 2019 & re-opening Tuesday 14th Jan 2020 with a FREE sausage sizzle (snag in bread) at 12 noon.
Committee Meeting Minutes— View these on the Shed website. Look under the Admin Menu.
Membership Fee is now due ($35.00). Currently, we have 54 members for 2019/20.
Shed T-Shirts — If you wish to purchase one of these please contact Campbell Ford at Mount Beauty Hardware & Drapery Store in Hollonds St to arrange.
Flag Pole for sale — The Shed has a well-made steel flag pole and base that was made for an organisation that no longer needs it. It is for sale for $75.00. If you want it contact: Paul L’Huillier Mob: 0400 056 247 or tell a friend about it.

Street Christmas Decorations

Sunday 8th December — Each summer Shed members erect and dismantle these decorations for the Chamber of Commerce. If you would like to volunteer for a few hours for this project it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Paul L’Huillier: Mob: 0400 056 247 or Email <paullhuillier@bigpond.com>. The Shed is paid for this service.

Shed Garage Sale … a success

On Saturday 2nd November the Shed held a large Garage Sale which was held at the Shed. We had many buyers between 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and it was a successful fundraising activity for the Shed. Most items sold were donated and we thank donors for their generosity. Over the last five years, the Shed has been involved in six garage sales.

Garage Sale – Sat 2 Nov ’19 at the Shed

October 31, 2019 By Paul L'Huillier

If members have some ‘useful’ items that they wish to donate please bring them to the Shed on the day. Note — if the item(s) remain unsold you will need to pick them up following the sale. Thank you.

Membership Fees are due…

Following the AGM in September the fee has been kept the same as last year i.e. $35.00. You can pay at the Shed (Tuesday or Wednesday) but please bring the correct money. The treasurer’s preferred method of payment is by Direct Credit. Bank details are as follows: Account name: Mt Beauty & District Men’s Shed Inc., BSB: 633 000 & Account #: 144372661. Fees were due by 30th September 2019.

Cup Day

Tuesday 5th November is a public holiday. The Shed will be closed.

VMSA Newsletter – October 2019. Click [HERE] to view.

Personal Member News

A number of members have been on the sick and injured list of late. We wish David Wood, Roland Passuello, Reg Hollonds and John Driver a speedy recovery.