October Newsletter

Shed Shavings  

St Leonards Men’s Shed Newsletter 

October 2016

Welcome to the October newsletter, there has been a lot of activity over the last two months, the extension works, lots of bits for the school and Ken leaving for Tasmania.     

      

St Leonards Primary School                          

As we do each year during the last semester of school, 4 students from the school will be attending the shed to undertake a project and will have one on one supervision.  This year, the students have decided to make a Whirly-gig, so the team have been assembling 4 kits in preparation for their arrival at the shed in November.  The students will have to decide on their own pattern and colours, because no-one would want the color example below.

                                  

2016 Football Tipping

In a finish worthy of the finals, the last three rounds saw Russell gain a point on Bob each round to finish tied on 143 points each.  I said that the rules clearly stated, “the total prize pool went to first past the post” and as it was a draw all money should go to the Shed finances.  I was strangely over ruled by the Treasurer and Bob and Russell shared the prize.  Well done, great finish, let’s hope next year Bob doesn’t make it a three-peat.

Speaking of Winners.

                                              

 

Should say congratulations to the mighty Western Bulldogs for a great victory in the Grand Final.

Extension Update

Well work commenced on Thursday, 26^th August (Day 1) with the fencing off and removal of step, garden and hand rail for the start of slab preparation.

Day 14 the slab arrives, just before the rains.  Day 26 the frame up, site being cleaned up, plumber has just been and measured for the roof.  All action.

                    

Day 14, Window in, interconnecting door in and Cladding completed, roof expected Day xx.

                                   

Defibrillator

In the July newsletter we told everyone about the Lions and Bendigo Bank providing the funds to purchase a defibrillator.  Craig Taylor, manager from the Drysdale branch, paid a visit for a photo opportunity and to enjoy a fine lunch organized by Kevin.  Russell, swapped shirts for the day and was the Lions representative.

                             

Bowls Challenge

Our bi-annual Bowls Challenge was held on September 28^th with six teams of pairs participating with the aim of knocking off John & Dave, the reigning title holders.  Who could forget the nail-biting finish to the last challenge.

           

 Well, it was another great afternoon, with John and Dave again featuring in the final against a very unlikely pairing of the No’s.  Not eyes Digger and his partner No Front Tooth Russell.  You can’t question the professionalism of the John and Dave, arrived early for some practice, the shot below shows them checking every other bowl to make sure they had the best available set and because of the bright afternoon, both wearing sponsors sunglasses.  As with the football tipping we must do everything in our power to not allow a three-peat.

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 15/16.  The AGM was a quick meeting with all current office bearers (other than Ken who had already resigned his position) re-standing and retaining their positions.  We followed the meeting with drinks (the usual beers and some very classy Reds) and nibbles (the usual party pies and sausage rolls and some not so classy reds).

Cricket Scoring Table

Digger suggested we build a scoring table for the cricket club.  It was his project from start to finish.  All looked great but the size of the hole for the umbrella only allowed what you can see.  With all the help he had during construction, someone should have spotted the problem.

                                                   

Ken’s Farewell Lunch

23 members attended the farewell lunch for Ken, all having a great time and enjoyed a good lunch, regardless of whether you received 4 or 40 chips.  Due to Ken’s dedication, the amount of work he put in to get the Shed established and his inaugural presidency, the Committee voted to make Ken a Life Member.  This membership was presented by Russell, some very kind words were said by Ray and then Russell read some words that were sent in by Denis Minogue who had planned to be there but was called back to Melbourne.

                                            

Lions Raffle

Thanks to all those who sold tickets, we had a great result in selling 50 books, generating $500.00 for the Shed.  Unfortunately, no-one from our shed won a prize but there is always a chance next year.  The Lions club raised over $18,000 for different community organisations in the area and we received a cheque for $500.00 from our sales.  Winners were as follows:

1^st         No 4574           Springdale Neighbourhood Centre

2^nd        No 6020           Drysdale Fishing Club

3^rd        No 9840           Clifton Springs Primary School

4^th        No 3281           St Leonards Cricket Club

5^th        No 1679           St Pauls Anglican Church

6^th        No 1157            Clifton Springs Mens Shed

7^th        No 9710           Clifton Springs Primary School

8^th        No 442             Portarlington Girl Guides

9^th        No 8972           Springdale Neighbourhood Centre

10^th      No 4878           Springdale Neighbourhood Centre

“On your Bike” Programme

Mick Morris continues to do wonders down at the shed behind the Progress Hall, repairing and handing out bikes every Wednesday afternoon.

A few of Mick’s happy customers; a Japanese couple collecting their helmets (donated by Hendry Cycles) while Mick demonstrated some finer details to another customer, and that customer’s bub and partner, with new helmet just about to hit the road.

    

Mick’s Report.

The programme started in late April, a joint venture between Bellarine Community Health and our Shed to restore and re-home donated bikes for people in the 3223 postcode area.  To date we have received approximately 50 bikes, with a fair proportion of these going straight to the scrap metal heap.  By mid-September we (read Mick) have restored and given away 15 bikes, with a current waiting list of 11 people.  We are managing to restore 1-2 bikes per week, and now have a semi-regular supply of donated bikes from the Lions Club of Geelong.  We are grateful for the use of the Progress Association Shed to store and work on the bikes, and thanks to Bruce for the use of the Company truck, Shane for his on-going support and Digger for his humour and being a crash test dummy and doing the test rides.

Note:   The bike programme will not be operating during December and January.

Member Profile

Each newsletter we introduce a member and complete a profile, this month we’re pleased to introduce Chris Shea.  Chris is our oldest member and due to his vast life experiences has been chosen as our Customer Liaison and Complaints Manager.  In the photo below, Chris has just finished his inspection of the extension framing and doesn’t look to impressed.

                               

•          Name                               Chris Shea

•          Partner                            Sheila

•          Children/Grandchildren      3/14

•          Great Grandchildren          1

•          How long have you lived

in St Leonards?                 46 years

•          Before St Leonards           Sunshine

•          What did you do before

•           Retiring?                         Technical Office, Commonwealth Serum Laboratories

•           

•          Football Club                    Geelong

Notes / Remnders

1.     This will be the last newsletter forwarded by email, in future they will be on our web site (stleonardsmensshed@org.).  I will attempt to publish a newsletter every two months and members will be reminded when they are on the site.

2.    One of the topics published in the last Shed Shavings prompted a response, so I felt duty bound to publish the following text received by email.

I  totally deny all  charges regarding the totally dilapidated, derelict and  totally unrepairable old wishing well.  I must admit that forensic evidence (i.e fingerprints and DNA )  does not look good and could be damning in a court of law. Regarding  Bruce's feeling which have been devastated by this incident , I  do hope the real culprit  will be caught. If not I would like to send him a photo  of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and tell him to get over it.  Digger

3.    We have commenced a new Membership year, so all dues ($40) are now payable. Please see Bob.

4.    As well as our customary Christmas lunch at the shed, we are planning a Christmas Dinner for members and their POMS (Partners of Mens Shed).  Probably at the Portarlington Golf Club, late November, around $20 per head plus drinks ( rest subsidized by Shed). Will finalise details within the next fortnight and need numbers asap.