Mount Beauty & District Men's Shed

Shed Closed & Other News

August 6, 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 has been forced to close the Shed to members. This is a Victorian Government health directive. 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. Click [HERE] for the VMSA directive.

Len Sims departure

Len and wife Adele are leaving the lovely Kiewa Valley and heading back to Queensland. Len has been a Shed member for six years and is a stalwart of its operations. He has been a committee member and is always available to lend a hand. Locally he has become famous for his ‘renovation’ skills. We wish Len and Adele all the best for the future.

Last Tuesday the Shed held a morning tea and presentation function to wish Len goodbye. There were 23 members in attendance.

From left: *Len Sims & Dick Puttyfoot (president).* The gift given to Len on his departure so he will not forget about the six years living in Mount Beauty. Thanks to *Duncan Robertson* for supplying the aerial photograph taken from a glider.

*Twenty three members* social distancing in the workshop for Len’s presentation.

Member Profile

John Driver

AMSA

Spanner in the Works is a health initiative of the Australian Men’s Shed Association. They issue a very informative newsletter. Click [HERE] to read the latest issue. Very informative.

Lighten Up!

Have a good laugh. Click [HERE].

Online Banking

Masks, Shed Ext & Projects

July 31, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

Face Masks

As from this Tuesday, all members attending the Shed will need to wear a face mask and must supply their own. The Victorian Government have now extended the wearing of face masks to ALL of Victoria. Note — on Friday the members received a separate email with all the details. Please make sure you read it. Click to read The Ultimate Guide to Face Masks

Shed Extension Progress

All hands needed for the levelling of the concrete slab.

Tony Gentile on the job again as of Friday 31st July. Thanks Tony.

Member Profile

Rob Van der Linden

Editor’s note — Rob was heavily involved in the installation of our dusk extraction system in 2017 and is currently working on the installation of an evaporative cooling system for the Shed(s).

**Left photo**: from left — New member *Phil Armitage* under the watchful eye of *Irvin Beeston*.
**Right photo** — Len Sims restoring an old picture frame for a client.

*Larry Gardam* (our new motor mower fixing guru!) hard at it and the finished product (a Rover 4 stroke) at the bargain price of **$75.00.** Tell a friend about it.

Member Profile

Noel McDougall

AMSA News

The Shedder — June issue. Click [HERE] to read.

Shed Wireless – a new initiative from AMSA – Click [HERE] to listen. There have been 10 episodes in Series 1 and Series 2 has just started. 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.

**From left**: *Shane Clooney* & *Dick Puttyfoot* re-wiring a clients trailer

Too many in the Recreation Room for morning tea on Tuesday (limit of 10) so here is the overflow. *From left*: Ian Howley, Dick Puttyfoot, Ian Sharp, Mark Hardidge & John Driver. The Shed is following *COVID-19 protocols* to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. **Mask wearing** as from this Tuesday is another requirement.

Shed Extension building progress & Other News

July 1, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

Tony & Son on-site

**Gentile Steel Fabrications** have been hard at it over the last couple of weeks.
As can be seen, the framework is in place as of this week.

Member Profile

Dick Puttyfoot

Editor’s note — Dick has been the Shed president for the last eight years. He is definitely the Shed ‘all-rounder’ always prepared to have a go at any task. His skill set is amazing. Our Dick is a very approachable and friendly bloke who always has time to help others with a task.

Personal Member News

Les Bevan is having a hip replacement soon. Us Shedders wish Les all the best and a speedy recovery.

Projects

**Irvin’s Cart** — *It’s a beauty!* It can carry all sorts of goodies for sale which the Shed can now display easily outside the Shed. Just wheel them out and in each day. *Dick* is currently producing one of his wooden routed signs to display across the top of the cart.

**The Shed’s new Unimig Plasma Steel Cutter**. *Barry & Reg* are very happy to add this piece of welding equipment to their department.

Our master welder *Barry Hinson* working on the bases for the
**Outdoor School Bogong’s Eagle Chair** display.

*Duncan Robertson* renovating an old **outdoor garden table and four stools** for the *Neighbourhood Centre.* It will be located in their Rose Garden Cafe courtyard.

**Shed excursion** — *Peter Panozzo* invited Shed members to a milling demonstration at his and bother *David’s* milling location in Simmonds Creek Road. Ten members were present.

*Derek Hutton* producing a product for a client using his wood lathe skills. Our Derek is a very keen wood lathe learner and spends many hours honing his skills.

Australian Men’s Shed Association

AMSA Newsletter — Click [HERE] to read. It is an excellent read.

Shed Wireless – a new initiative from AMSA – Click [HERE] to listen. There have been nine 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.

Scams notifications — We all get them either a telephone call, email, text message or through the post. Click this link <https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/individuals-and-families> to find out what is authentic and what is not.

Shed COVID-19 Protocols

The shed is operating again

June 17, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

Building Contractor on Site for Shed Extension

*Tony Gentile & Son Jason* starting work on the **Shed Extension** on Tuesday 9th June 2020. It was finally happening after 20 months of work to get to this stage.

Mount Beauty Shed on ABC Radio

Listen to the 9 minute Mt Beauty Men’s Shed interview (Paul L’Huillier) by Sandra Moon of ABC Goulburn Murray Radio.

Nine minute ABC Shed Interview

A Request

The Shed produces Kindling for Sale and is looking for suitable size heavy-duty plastic or similar strength bags (approx size 70cm x 45 cm). Chicken feed bags or seed bags …. could do the job. If you have any (drop off at the Shed) or if know of people who have please let us know. Contact — mobile: 0400 056 247.

Member Profile

Ian Howley

Editor’s Note — Ian is a foundation member of the Men’s Shed and has been on the committee since its formation (October 2011). For the last six years, he has been secretary. He was the construction manager for the Main Shed and is again for the new Shed Extension. He has just retired from secretarial duties so he can devote his energies to completing the Extension. He will remain as a committee member.

The Rocking Horse Project

*Len Sims* is the initiator of this project and has produced a number of horses. They are in demand and are being sold by Campbell Ford at the Hardware & Drapery Store. Pictured at left is Len and right is his partner in crime new committee member *Henry Ziemnicki*.

Neighbourhood Centre NEW Garden Shed

**Shed construction well in progress.** From left: *Reg Hollonds, Noel McDougall, Henry Ziemnicki & Duncan Robertson*

**Garden Shed final touches** — adding the doors this week. From left: *Mal Darwent (project manager), Noel McDougall & Reg Hollonds.*

Men’s Health Week — 15 – 21 June 2020

Why is having good health important to you?

Whether it’s to look after yourself, keep in shape or be there for family and friends — the importance of having good health is unique to everyone.

To make sure you’re able to do the things that are important to you, you need to look after your health. That doesn’t just mean fixing problems as they come up. Having good health means looking after yourself as a whole — including your reproductive and sexual health.

Healthy Male knows that reproductive and sexual health can sometimes feel like an awkward topic. So, this Men’s Health Week, they’re starting the conversation through daily activities for you to get involved in.

To learn more about why your reproductive and sexual health is important, and to check out their free Q&A webinars, articles, Reddit event and podcasts, visit the website healthymale.org.au.

Spanner in the Works (When was your last service?)

ASMA has published some very important information for all of us during Heath Week. Make the effort to check it out. Click [HERE].

We are Open!

June 5, 2020 By Paul L'Huillier

The **Shed re-opened on Tuesday 2nd June** after a break of 9 weeks due to the COVID-19 lockdown. We had 17 members for morning tea BUT only 10 in the recreation room as that is the maximum we can accommodate in that space. The other members had their cuppa outside in the sun.

Thank you UKV Lions Club

We all like surprises and that is what the Shed received on Wednesday from the **UKV Lions Club president Rod Hyde (pictured right) who presented a $5,000.00 cheque to Shed president Dick Puttyfoot**. The money was a donation from Lions District V6 to assist community recovery and mental health in fire-affected areas and was specifically for Men’s Sheds.

Member Profiles

Irvin Beeston

Warwick Mitchell

New Members

The Shed welcomes Peter Zumpe and James Burley as new members for 2020. See you two at the Shed.

Projects

**Erecting the NEW Neighbourhood Centre Garden** **Shed** — *Dick* *Puttyfoot* has everything in order but the class is not paying attention! The *Jigsaw Puzzle* has taken two days so far but we have been told the frame goes up next Tuesday and the job will be completed on Wednesday. *Mal Darwent* (3rd from left) is leading this project. Others pictured are *Reg Hollonds* (2nd from left) and our new secretary *Noel McDougall* far right.

**Kindling Sales** — It is winter and the fires need lighting! The Shed produces bags of kindling and in conjunction with the **Hospital Opp Shop** sell it to the public for **$10.00/bag**. We need a mechanical splitter to make the job more efficient. As you can see currently it is done manually.

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.