Mount Beauty & District Men's Shed

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

Another News Update

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Shed Opening ??

From AMSA — “We advise you to contact the authorities relevant to your state to ensure any steps you take to reopen are appropriate and within the easing of restrictions”. Victorian Men’s Sheds have not yet had the OK to open.

May Committee Meeting

The committee met for the second time via video conferencing on Wednesday 13th May. We had eight members participating with three apologies. Committee change — Ian Howley is stepping down as secretary after six years so he can devote his energies to the construction of the Shed Extension as our Shed Construction Manager. Noel McDougall has taken on the job of secretary. Thanks, Ian for the last six years (he will remain on the committee) and to Noel for accepting the secretarial position.

Project work in lockdown

Irvin Beeston has been beavering away in his own Shed producing ‘Miner Wheelbarows’. Campbell Ford (Mt Beauty Hardware & Drapery Store) has offered to sell in his shop. Thank you.
Len Sim has also been busy producing ‘Rocking Horses‘. Campbell Ford (Mt Beauty Hardware & Drapery Store) has offered to sell in his shop. Thank you.

Member Profile

AMSA News

The Shed Wireless

Shed Wireless – a new initiative from AMSA – Click [HERE] to listen. There have been three episodes so far. Professionally produced and has heaps of Shed info.

Shed Online

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

Lighten Up, Lads!

Lots of laughs with this lot. Click [HERE] to view.

ANZAC Day & other News

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President Dick Puttyfoot had the initiative to make a small wreath (2nd from the right) to lay at the Cenotaph for ANZAC Day 25th April. The Shed also flew the flag at half-mast for the day.
Shed Member Ray Connelly observing ANZAC Day at 6:00 am in his driveway.

COVIDSafe App

COVIDSafe App was developed by the Australian Government to help keep the community safe from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We all should support this initiative and download the App to help us stay safe. To download go to the Apple iOS ‘App Store‘ on your mobile phone or the ‘Google Play’ Store on your Android mobile phone. Check-out the HELP information within the App for all you need to know.

Member Profile

Barry Hinson

Pebble Beach Walking Track Extension

Work on the Pebble Beach Track Extension is progressing well as can be seen from these photos. This track will add another 1 km to the walk/ride. It is anticipated that it will be completed by the end of May. Thanks must go to Jim Crebbin and the Kiewa Valley Community Association for this fantastic community asset.

VMSA Newsletter – April 2020

Click [HERE] to read.

Lighten up, Lads!

A list of very funny jokes — Click [HERE].

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.