Mount Beauty & District Men's Shed

Feel productive, contribute to the community and have fun doing it!

Shed News for April

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Isolation Seat Project

One of our more creative members has come up with a very interesting project. There has got to be a market for this ‘baby’ in the current environment. Problem is we don’t have access to the Shed.

Shed Extension

The Shed Extension Project started back in June 2018. Finally, we are good to go. Ian Howley, who has lead this project from the start last week had the Plans and Building Permit signed off by the Alpine Shire. Ian thanks for all the hard work with this. We know it was frustrating at times to get all the i’s dotted and t’s crossed but well done.

Tony Gentile of Gentile Steel Fabrications – Coral Bank won the Building Tender and this will be signed off this week. If all goes to plan the building works should start before winter.

To see all the work that has been done to date click [HERE] to view a gallery of photos.

1st On-Line Committee Meeting

Last week the committee arranged to have an ‘On-line’ meeting using the Video Conferencing Program called Zoom. There was a bit of a leaning curve for us but our first go at it went well. Since we cannot meet physically because of the Coronavirus restrictions we plan to have the May meeting this way as well.

This is what a video conferencing computer screen looks like when a meeting is in progress.

A Shed Cooling System

Each year the Federal Government offers a Volunteer Grants Program to community organisations. The Shed has just applied for $5,000.00 (the max that can be applied for) for a Main Shed Cooling System. This has been costed at $7,560.00 so if we are successful the Shed needs to find the balance to put the system in. We should know by the end of May.

Shed On-Line

Stay Connected with Your Mates. Click this link The AMSA Shed Online. Members need to register to join the Forums – an easy process.

Irvin’s small items project – from home

Irvin Beeston has continued to do what he does best — make small items for sale. He is making items in his workshop at home. Campbell has kindly allowed the Shed to sell these items in store. Thanks, Campbell.

Move!…..Find your 30

With everybody being restricted to the home it is very important that members make the effort to ‘get out & about’. Exercise is allowed outside the home. Find Your 30 is a program by Sport Australia, Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission to get Aussie’s moving. Click [HERE] to learn more. For Exercise Guidelines that apply to our age group click [HERE].

Member Profile

Mark Hardidge (Chef de Shed)

Note — we plan to present a number of member profiles (as part of Shed News) over the coming months.

COVID-19 1000m Sprint (Race Call)

This is very, very funny. Click [HERE] to watch the 3 minute race call.

Lawn Mowing – Shed & NH Centre

Thanks to Noel McDougall the grass is being mowed around the Shed and the Neighbourhood Centre area as required. Noel has set up a roster so that this job can be continued for some months. Thanks to Barry Hinson & Brian Keeble for mowing Wednesday.

AMSA Shed Online…it’s new

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Stay Connected with Your Mates at The AMSA Shed Online. Members need to register to join the Forums – an easy process.

Visiting the shed is an important part of the week for many men. Whilst COVID-19 has forced the closure of thousands of sheds across 12 countries, staying in touch and connected is more important than ever.

We invite the Men’s Shed community to join in conversation at The AMSA Shed Online.

The goal of The AMSA Shed Online is to help people connect in the same way they do at the shed – over a cuppa and a laugh.

“The shed’s themselves may be temporarily closed as part of the response to COVID-19 but the mission of helping people stay connected does not change,” said AMSA Patron His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) in a message to Men’s Shed members.

The AMSA Shed Online is a simple online space for men to stay connected at a time when community connection is increasingly difficult, but still vitally important to our health and wellbeing.

We hope to create a global social community where men can talk and share their experiences – a global information exchange. And whilst the AMSA Shed Online has been built with the Men’s Shed community in mind, we’re inviting anyone with an interest to join the conversation.

Tools to help you Stay Connected with shed mates

During physical isolation, staying socially connected is more important than ever… But the Shed is closed! So now what?

Men’s Sheds across Australia have closed and now is the time to be extremely diligent in ensuring that our shedders remain connected and that we look after each other. Click [HERE] to view some of the ways Shedders can do this i.e. the Tools to use.

Some serious work getting done last week on the Shed Extension foundations. Thank you to McPherson’s Earthmoving – Myrtleford for rolling the area free of charge.

Important Shed News

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Future Shed Operations

The Shed has a duty of care to its members, and as a consequence of the Coronavirus threat, the committee met on Tuesday morning and decided to close the Shed to members. Because our members are in the most vulnerable age group, this closure will stay in place until the health authorities indicate that the threat has passed.

This decision is in line with AMSA and VMSA recommendations to close Sheds at this time.

Shed Torque

  1. Bill Griffith R.I.P. — Bill was the Shed’s oldest member at 96 years and passed away last week. He was a long time Men’s Shed member and supported us for eight years. Though not an active member he attended a number of our monthly social BBQ functions and annual Christmas Luncheons. He was generous with his donations. Condolences go to his family.
  2. Ian Howley — Ian is currently having an operation in Albury. The Shed wishes him a speedy recovery. Ian, you have a Shed Extension to build!
  3. Gentile Steel Fabrications of Coral Bank have won the tender to build the Shed Extension. We are anticipating that building will start prior to winter.
  4. West Peak Hotel Raffle — This was to be held this Friday evening but has now been cancelled.
  5. For Sale — Kenyan Top Bar Bee Hives and Miniature Miner’s Wheelbarrow Planter Box. If you know of anybody who might be interested in these items please get them to call mobile: 0400 056 247.

Coronavirus

The Council on the Ageing – Victoria (COTA) have produced an excellent up-to-date ‘Fact Sheet‘ on all things to do with the Coronavirus. A must-read for all of us in the ‘vulnerable age group‘. Click [HERE] to read.

Victorian Men’s Shed Association (VMSA)

Click [HERE] to read the March 2020 Newsletter.

A very satisfied client— Julie Gaul from Redbank with her two Kenyan Top Bar Bee Hives. Mal Darwent (left) was the team leader for the manufacture of four large and two smaller hives.
A Community Project — The Neighbourhood Centre’s new Garden Shed foundations being poured. From left: Mark Hardidge, Len Sims, Pozzie (thank you NE Home Improvement Co) and Reg Hollonds.
The foundations finished — From left: Mal Darwent & Reg Hollonds

No BBQ or Footy Gate

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March Monthly BBQ Cancelled

The committee met Monday morning for the usual monthly meeting and decided that because of the threat of the Coronavirus that this Fridays BBQ would be cancelled. As you know it can get pretty cosy in the recreation room at that time.

For some excellent information from the AMSA on all things to do with the Coronavirus (i.e. what it is, who is at most risk, symptoms, how it is spread, prevention, diagnosis, treatment & how to isolate yourself) click [HERE].

The shed will be operating as normal on Tuesday and Wednesday at this stage. However, members should follow the guidelines provided by health authorities, and definitely NOT attend the Shed if you have any symptoms or doubts about your own health.

Football/Netball Gate Collection & Raffle update

The committee also decided that because of the close proximity that members are to the public and the age of our members (the most vulnerable group) would NOT man the GATE for any matches this season until the threat of the Coronavirus is over. Thank you to those members who have volunteered but your services are not needed at this time. It is likely that the Tallangatta Football League will cancel the first four matches in any case.

Toward. Renewable. Energy. Kiewa
For an explaination click [HERE]

Victorian Men’s Shed Association (VMSA) Newsletter

The February Newsletter is now available to read. Please note that on pages 17-18 our Shed gets some good exposure. Click [HERE].

Parks Vic Signage — The Shed produced 10 signs similar to that pictured. Dick Puttyfoot taught himself to use the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Software that creates a program and instructions used to run the Wood Router. A determined man our Dick – it was a steep curve. He did a top job. Chief Ranger Kevin Cosgriff was very appreciative for the work done. I believe the Shed has another order coming!

Advanced Notice – West Peak Hotel Fundraiser

On Friday 27th March 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.

Community, Clients & Shed

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Over the last couple of weeks, the men have been busy working on a number of community, client and Shed development projects.

Community Projects — From left: Ken Halse sanding one of three flag poles that the Shed is producing for the Tawonga Primary School. Penny Goebel (Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre) showing off the Defibrillator Cabinet donated and installed at the Centre’s front door by the Men’s Shed. The Defib. will now be accessible to the public. The Mt Beauty Dragon Boat Club was successful with a Vic Sports Grant to purchase the Defib.
Left photo — Shed Fundraising Project — From left: Irvin Beeston ‘The Wheelbarrow Man’. Irvin has been producing small ‘Miners Wheelbarrows’ that can be used as a garden ornament — planter box. A bargain at $40.00 each. Irvin has had trouble keeping up with the orders. Right photo — Shed Development Project — The Shed acquired the pictured ‘Tradesmans Canopy Trailer‘ which is currently being renovated for use to store and transport all the Football/Netball Gate gear that is used to man the gate at the nine home games. Dick Puttyfoot is leading a small team to renovate the trailer. These include new wheel bearings, lights, trailer to vehicle adaptors, a rear door to provide easy access to store the Gazebo, a paint job and signage. We thank AGL Energy for funding the renovations.
Left Photo: Len Sims renovating an old rocking horse to sell as a Shed fundraiser. Right photo — from left: Len Sims & Warwick Mitchell repairing a lampstand for a client.
Client Project — Kenyan Topbar Beehives. John Driver providing the final coating of linseed oil. Mal Darwent has been the leader of this project assisted by Warwick Mitchell with others John Driver, Len Sims & Paul L’Huillier helping as required.
Community Project — Friends of the Clover Arboretum. Construction & Installation of Deer Guards. From left: Noel McDougall (Shed member) and Justin Grealy & Mark Ghiradello. The Shed has been assisting ‘the friends’ with the deer problem and has constructed fourteen guards to date.

Shed Torque

  1. Shed Extension Builder Tender — These have closed and the committee executive has met to assess. An announcement will be made shortly.
  2. Football/Netball Game date correction — Round 3 Home Game is on 18th April NOT the 4th as previously advertised.
    Please contact Mark Hardidge if you can help on any of the nine home games. He would love to hear from you rather than having him call you. Contact: Mob: 0407 549 651, Home: 03 5754 1619 or Email: <maurk01@bigpond.com>.
  3. Next BBQ & General Meeting is on Friday 20th March from 11:30 am for a sit-down BBQ at 12 noon. Guest speaker will be Allan Marsland of the Kangaroo Hoppet organisation. Allan will speak about the development of this international cross country ski race conducted annually at Falls Creek which is in its 30th year. His presentation will use multimedia including slides and a short video.
  4. Mini Miners Wheelbarrows for sale — Only $40.00 but you must place an order by contacting mobile: 0400 056 247. Tell your friends about them.

2020 Football/Netball Gate

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Would anyone willing to help with this football seasons “Football/Netball Gate” for their home games please let Mark Hardidge know your availability on:

This is a Shed major fundraising activity for the year as well as a great social gathering with the usual Shed banter. There a nine home games — the first four at Mount Beauty and five at Dederang.

Home game dates are as follows:

  • Round 1 – 28/03 vs Yackandandah @ Mt Beauty
  • Round 3 – 18/04 vs Wodonga Saints @ Mt Beauty
  • Round 5 – 02/05 vs Beechworth @ Mt Beauty
  • Round 6 – 09/05 vs Chiltern @ Mt Beauty
  • Round 8 – 23/05 vs TallangaUa @ Dederang
  • Round 11 – 20/06 vs Mitta United @ Dederang
  • Round 13 – 04/07 vs Rutherglen @ Dederang
  • Round 15 – 25/07 vs Wahgunyah @ Dederang
  • Round 18 – 15/08 vs Barnawartha @ Dederang

Volunteer shifts during the day

There are three shift options available as follows:

  • All Day — 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
  • AM — 7:00 am to 11:00 am
  • PM — 11:00 am to 3:30 pm

We need as many volunteers as possible in order to raise money for our Shed especially the new Extension. Our work assists the local Football/Netball Club – the Dederang/Mt Beauty Bombers. A lot of volunteers will also mean less work for all so please put up your hand to help.

Please let Mark Hardidge know your availability ASAP as the first game is coming up on the 28th March 2020..