Paul L’Huillier

Shed Re-Opening

May 25, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

The Victorian Government announced on Sunday 24th May 2020 that as from Monday 1st June ‘Libraries, youth centres and other community spaces are to open, with no more than 20 people in a single area’.

The Shed committee is now in a position to re-open the Shed and have decided to do this on Tuesday 2nd June taking into account the hygiene and distancing requirements. We all need to be conscious of this when interacting with other members and not become ‘slack’ – ‘we will be alright Jack!‘ We are all in that vulnerable age group so let us look out for one another and do the right thing. The Shed has been closed for 9 weeks now so it’s all go again!

See you at the Shed.

Dick Puttyfoot
President

Shed protocols that MUST be adhered to if you intend to visit the Shed.

Use of hand sanitiser — use it religiously!. We will have plenty available.
Disinfectant wipes — must use to wipe down tools & machinery etc that you intend using.
Drinking Mugs — must bring your own and either store in a locker or take it home and bring it each time.
Maximum of 10 members allowed at any one time in the Recreation Room as permitted by the 4 sqm per person in a space rule. The 1.5m distancing rule will always apply.
Morning Tea — If there is more than 10 then others go outside if weather is suitable or into the workshop area. Alternatively, if we get a ‘crowd’ we may have to stagger the time.
Sign-In Book — We need to make sure we sign in & out so a good record of attendance is kept. If a ‘virus outbreak’ did occur health authorities would need to be able to track people.
Shed Cleaning — This will be done on Wednesday (pm) as per Roster.

From AMSA — advice from the National Cabinet is very clear: continued success against COVID-19 is about collective action and depends on maintaining our new community norms – physical distancing, good hygiene practices and downloading the COVIDSafe app to keep us all safe while we are out and about.

New Committee Member

We are very pleased to welcome Henry Ziemnicki to the Shed committee. Henry replaces our ‘renovation guru‘ Len Sims who is selling up and moving back to Queensland. Len has been on the committee for four years and we thank Len for his contribution to the committee and the Shed’s development.

A Cool Shed for Summer!

The committee has been considering for some time how we can make the workshop environment safer and more appealing to members in the hot summer months. Of course, we need a cooling system and a number are under investigation. In the meantime funds for such a project are needed. The Federal Government have come to the party with a $5,000.00 Volunteer Grant to go towards the project. It is estimated that the total project will cost $8,250.00. So by this summer, the workshop could be a very pleasant place to work.

Member Profile

AMSA News

Shed Wireless – a new initiative from AMSA – Click [HERE] to listen. There have been four episodes so far. Professionally produced and has heaps of Shed information. Each episode is ~1hr 15min. It is definitely worth checking out.

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.

VMSA Newsletter

Click [HERE] to view the May newsletter.

Lighten Up Lads!

Lots of laughs with this lot – again. Click [HERE] to view & have a laugh.

Another News Update

May 14, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

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

April 30, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

**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

April 15, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

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)

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

April 1, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

**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

March 24, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

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

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.
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!
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.
West Peak Hotel Raffle — This was to be held this Friday evening but has now been cancelled.
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.