August Newsletter

Shed Shavings  

St Leonards Men’s Shed Newsletter 

August 2016

Welcome to the August newsletter, since the last newsletter we have had a few new members join with our membership now at 36.    

     Indian Myna Bird Traps

We were approached by the Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) to assist with making these traps as they have a program coming up to try and reduce the number of these invasive birds on the Bellarine.  A lot of interest was shown my members in getting one for themselves and Bob Evans has been leading this project with a passion.  With 46 traps already completed Bob is continually fine tuning the design that now it is vastly improved and so changed it is his own.  Great work Bob.

Wishing Wells

Bruce brought in an old wishing well to either repair or make a new improved model and after much discussion decided on the later.  I was planning on doing a before and after photo and when Bruce was about to take the well home for painting I asked to do the planned photo.  Bruce said that was impossible as his mate “Digger” had tossed the old one into the bin.  As you can see, Bruce was devastated by the loss and it appears that “Digger” had been planning this for some time.  If you look in the first photo of Bob and the traps, there is the old wishing well and “Digger” in the background plotting its demise.

                

Extension Update

Dave, the Council Project Manager, sent the approved drawings out for three quotes and hosted the three contractors at the shed in order for them to inspect the site and ask any questions.  He advised that this would be a three week process before the Council hopefully select a winning Contractor who came within budget.  Well, that was the info prior to me going to get some sun in Bali, and speaking to Dave on return, he said he had news for me.  Fearing another set-back, I immediately thought of some choice phrases to let him know my disappointment, but none were required as he advised they had already awarded the contract.  By the time you are reading this, Ray and I would have met the winning contractor to discuss Shed access and any impacts to our operations.  There will be limited impacts, other than no access to the workshop via the glass door, as this will be fenced off.  The plan is to commence construction within the next week or so and the build time is expected to be 6 weeks.  Following the new room there will be a re-organisation of the workshop to maximize the available space and provide more working benches.

Brunt’s Vintage Truck Museum - Colac Trip

Well, our second trip saw 12 of us head to the Brunt’s Vintage Truck Museum at Colac didn’t get off to a great start as when we arrived to pick up the bus, it wasn’t there.  This caused a 45 min delay to leaving and meant that our planned first stop at the Anglesea Men’s Shed had to be cancelled.  Simon Clark and team had morning tea waiting for us but was understanding of our situation but was laughing a lot.

We had a pit stop in Colac with some very good coffee before heading to meet Jack at the Museum.  Merv and wife Faye have built up a great collection of over 40 vintage trucks over many years.   With Merv wheelchair bound in a nursing home, Faye passed away and Merv’s youngest son, who was the driving force for the museum also passed away, Jack doesn’t know the what future is for the Museum.  It would be a great shame to see the museum closed and the collection broken up.

                                         

 

The boys where ready to eat so next stop the East Colac Hotel where we were met by Matt Tippins and team from the Colac Men’s Shed who joined us for a $10 lunch that was very good value.  Following a hour of discussion with a very friendly crew we went back to their new shed.  Who said size wasn’t important, it’s HUGE.  The boys are fitting it out while they await a certificate of occupancy, and they soon take delivery of a set of donated stairs in order to get to the mezzanine storage level.  Another hour of jovial discussion and we bid farewell to the very friendly team at Colac.

Where next????  

Annual General Meeting

I know we only had the inaugural meeting in April but Consumer Affairs have sent an email advising we have to have an AGM between July and December and provide a financial report at end of financial year.  It should be a very quick meeting and we plan to hold it on the last Friday in September.  Invites will come shortly.

Members Phone Numbers

While we were waiting for the bus to go to Colac I was trying to remember contact phone numbers, they were on the computer, not in the phone.  My navigator, Trevor, suggested we give everyone a member contact list just with phone numbers.  If anyone has any issue with their numbers given to all members, please advise.

Member Profile

Each newsletter we will introduce a member and complete a profile, this time we’re pleased to introduce Rob “Digger” Ford.

                              

•          Name                               Robert “Digger” Ford

•          Partner                            Gloria

•          Children/Grandchildren      3/2

•          How long have you lived

in St Leonards                  12 months

•          Before St Leonards           Strathmore Heights

•          What did you do before

•           Retiring                           Flight Surveyor

•           

•          Football Club                    Essendon

Reminders

Ø  Our budget indicates that it costs around $4,000.00 per year to fund the Shed, covering our coffee/biscuits, BBQ’s, various Fee’s and electricity.  The $2.00 we pay for attendance goes towards meeting theses costs, so please remember to put in the coin, or for those who enjoy watching Bob count the money all your small change.

Ø  Please do not use any secondhand timber in the Thicknesser, as the built up dirt and hidden nails destroy the blade.

Ø  The raffle books a selling well, at this stage we have had 30 books taken for sale.  There are 18 books left and we finish selling 26^th August, so still time left to hit up the kids for more sales.

Ø  Great news that Bruce’s son had his boat returned after it was stolen before they had even put it in the water.