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Newsletter

July 2014

His Excellency Alex Chernov AC QC Governor of Victoria

is proud to be the Patron-in-Chief of the Victorian Men’s Shed Association

Emailed to a Representative of every Men’s Shed in Victoria.

Please print out a copy and distribute to members of your Shed.

In this Month’s Newsletter:

VICTORIAN PREMIER’S VOLUNTEER AWARDS Page 1

VMSA EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT Page 2

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Page 3

UPCOMING EVENTS Page 4

NEWSTEAD SHED OPENING Page 5/6

SOUTH WEST FORUM Page 7

VMSA GATHERING Page 8

VALE BOB WESTLAKE Page 9

MEN’S SHEDS PROJECT Page 10/11

CLUSTER NEWS Page 12

PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS Page 13

COMMITTEE CONTACTS Page 14

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VMSA Executive Officer Report

Welcome to the VMSA July Newsletter.

Hello fellow Shedders,

July has been a busy month at the VMSA with our Gathering starting it off in Mildura.

The SUNRAYSIA shed hosted a great Gathering at the Mildura TAFE which is also the site of

the shed. We enjoyed a great meeting with a scrumptious lunch afterwards in the shed.

The tragic passing of Bob Westlake, a prime mover at the Geelong East Men’s Shed (GEMS)

it was a sobering loss to all of us in the Men’s Shed movement. I had the privilege of

representing the VMSA at his funeral in Geelong. It was inspiring to be with his family friends

at the touching farewell. The Church was packed with mourners who were able to reflect on

his far reaching life. Bob’s life’s work was not about what he received through his journey but

his selfless desire to make the world a better place. The Geelong East Men’s Shed (GEMS)

has dedicated its new extension to Bob’s memory.

Later in July the VMSA was invited to present at the South West Victoria Men’s Shed Forum

held in Warrnambool. I travelled to Warrnambool by train and enjoyed the beautiful views that

this part of Victoria has to offer. The Forum was very successful with 12 sheds represented

from the surrounding districts.

The VMSA would like to acknowledge the passing of shed members at our AGM.

I would like to ask sheds to forward to me your shed details, the name of the member who

passed and a picture. The VMSA would like to have a Power Point slide show run during the

meeting as tribute to those who have passed since our last AGM in November 2013. We

hope that this Honour Roll will be a feature at our AGM each year to recognise those shed

members who have passed over the previous year.

The Department of Human Services has been busily processing the “Strengthening Men’s

Shed’s” Grant applications. The VMSA has been invited to assist the Grant Panel in an

advisory capacity.

It is wonderful to receive invitations to events in sheds around Victoria and the VMSA will

endeavour to have a representative attend where possible. Please forward any notifications of

events to me so I can include them in our newsletter and arrange our attendance.

vmsa@mensshed.net

Ric Blackburn

VMSA Executive Officer.

Funding Opportunities

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Funding Opportunities

AMP’s Tomorrow Fund

“We’re giving away grants of between $10,000 and $100,000 to people of all ages and walks

of life to help them pursue a dream that would make a positive difference – either by a project

or doing something inspiring. Grants can cover education fees, training, renting premises,

travel, research, and business start-up costs… any activity that brings a person closer to their

dream.”

I contacted AMP and have been informed that while the funding program is “designed for

individuals but anyone who is a member of a group can apply to develop a project that aligns

with the group’s work. The main thing is that the individual received the funding.”

This is an online application process the link is below.

I’m sure there are a number of people in your community who will qualify for this funding.

https://www.ampstomorrowfund.com.au

FRRR “Caring for Ageing Rural Australians” (CARA)

The Caring for Ageing Rural Australians (CARA) program is a targeted small grant program,

designed to support projects and activities that benefit and support older people living in

small rural and remote communities.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available and eligible projects and activities include those that:

Help redress disadvantage caused by remoteness;

Enhance aged care services and facilities;

Build community capacity for aged-friendly communities;

Foster community development through opportunities and participation for

older people; and

Encourage positive and active ageing, community health and wellbeing, and

education programs.

http://www.frrr.org.au/grants/cara?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=eb9823c64f-

July_eNews_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_798c348b0f-eb9823c64f-65183221

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Upcoming Events

Saturday 2nd of August, “Hangin’ out in the Shed” Radio show, 8 am.

on 3WBC 94.1FM. Logon and listen on Live Streaming

http://www.3wbc.org.au/site/

Saturday 2nd of August, Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury) Inc. Official Opening

Thursday 7th August, Barwon Cluster Heads of Sheds meeting at

Torquay, from 9.30 am

Thursday 21st August, West Gippsland Cluster meeting Mirboo Nth

Thursday 28th of August, Northwest Cluster Meeting Hobson’s Bay Shed

Thursday 4th September, Next Barwon Cluster meeting Leopold.

Thursday 2nd October, Ovens and Murray Men’s Sheds Cluster meeting at

Corryong Shed.

Wednesday 12th of November, The Barwon Cluster “Men’s Shed Day 2014”.

Please feel free to send through dates of Cluster meetings,

special events, openings etc.

This will help other sheds know what is happening around Victoria.

vmsa@mensshed.net

Insurance and Membership Enquiries

AMSA / VMSA membership enquiries.

If you are a shed wishing to join AMSA / VMSA or have an Insurance query

you should contact the AMSA Membership / Insurance Officer.

Ph 1300 550 009 or www.mensshed.org

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Newstead Shed Opening

(L-R) Amanda Millar, Upper House Member and Maree Edwards MP, Member for Bendigo West.

The John Rowland Men’s Shed in Newstead was officially opened on Friday July 25th.

Mike Spacey and the Shed committee put on a fabulous event that welcomed the newly built

shed to the Newstead community.

Creative fundraising combined with a “Strengthening Men’s Sheds” grant of $60,000 has

assisting to fund a large well equipped shed for the men to use.

Amanda Millar, Upper House Member for Northern Victoria, spoke eloquently on the great

support the Victorian Government has for Men’s Sheds.

Maree Edwards MP, Member for Bendigo West after heartfelt speech unveiled the Plaque.

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Newstead Members with Local Members of Parliament, Amanda Millar & Maree Edwards.

Mount Alexander Shire Council Mayor Michael Redden (Newstead member number 18)

spoke on the Newstead’s journey to the opening of the new building.

Michael’s touching tribute to his friend John Rowland who was one of the driving forces

behind the project was both emotional and uplifting.

John sadly passed before his vision of a shed for Newstead could come to fruition.

During the post ceremony celebrations both Maree and Amanda acknowledged the

bi-partisan support on both sides of parliament for the Men’s Sheds movement.

The VMSA represented by committee member Michael Martin took the opportunity to

congratulate the Newstead community on their efforts.

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South West Victoria Men’s Shed Forum

Paul and Neil Rural Access Officers, Ian & Gerry Portland Shed, Catherine Community Participation Officer.

Bev, Jim & Gail Terang Shed.

The VMSA was invited to speak at the South West Victoria Men’s Shed Forum on

Wednesday July 23rd 2014.

The VMSA Executive Officer, Ric Blackburn travelled to Warrnambool by train to outline

issues and activities occurring in sheds across Victoria.

The forum was organised by Neil Ballard, Rural Access Officer, Warrnambool City Council.

It was well attended by 40+ representatives of 12 sheds from the South West District.

The sheds who attended were Lismore, Coleraine, Warrnambool, Colac, Port Fairy,

Casterton, Portland, Hamilton, Crossley, Terang, Simpson, Camperdown and Cobden.

Catherine Darkin, DHS Senior Community Participation Officer, spoke on funding

opportunities and the availability of DHS support.

Men’s Shed representatives gave a regional Men’s Sheds update which covered shed

structure, local achievements, challenges, access and inclusion.

The Forum closed with lively questions from the floor session which kept the representatives

busily taking notes on issues relevant their sheds.

The Warrnambool Standard newspaper attended and published an insightful article on the

great work South West Sheds do for their communities.

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VMSA Mildura Gathering

Paul Sladdin and Terry (The Birdman) Sparrow inspecting machinery at the SUNRAYSIA Men’s Shed.

The VMSA State Gathering was hosted this time by the SUNRAYSIA Men’s Shed in

Mildura.

Local councillor Cr Jill Joslyn opened the Gathering, welcoming the visitors with an outline

of how beneficial the SUNRAYSIA shed has been to the people of Mildura.

Mr Andrew Broad MP, Federal Member for Mallee spoke of the wonderful contribution of

Men’s Sheds to the Australian community. He reflected on the recent ‘Friends of Men’s

Sheds’ lunch at Parliament House in Canberra.

Mr Peter Crisp MLA, Member for Mildura was generous in his praise for the impact of the

Men’s Shed movement on all sections of both rural and urban communities.

VMSA President, Paul Sladdin and Gathering Host, Ron Dudley.

Ron Dudley and the men of SUNRAYSIA shed hosted an unbelievably well organised

Gathering with a catered lunch that filled the ravenous horde.

Ron’s tireless attention to detail is reflected in the well equipped and organised shed.

The attendees were hosted on a Paddle Steamer for dinner which was a profoundly

Australian experience. The roast dinner followed by the classic Pavlova caused the loosening

of many belts. Sailing up the Murray was a serene and beautiful view of the mighty river.

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Vale Bob Westlake, Geelong East Men’s Shed

Bob is pictured here with VMSA President Paul Sladdin at the VMSA Gathering in Mildura

Tragically Bob Westlake was taken from us suddenly.

Bob was a driving force at the Geelong East Men’s Shed (GEMS). Bob was also a founding

member of Barwon Cluster. GEMS have named their new extension to the shed “The Bob

Westlake Extension”.

The hardworking VMSA Committee, meeting in Mildura after the Gathering. The committee was working on the

VMSA Strategic Plan in the open air at the motel. Just as the meeting was wrapping up, it was called to an end

by a sprinkling of rain.

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MENS SHED PROJECTS

Now that the Wangaratta Men’s Shed has established a metal workshop to compliment the woodworking (sawdust making) section at their premises, they have made a start on a long term project to construct a one eighth scale diesel electric locomotive that can be used to give rides on any 71/4 gauge model railway tracks, of which there are many in Victoria/ NSW. It will be based on an American General Electric U25B, nicknamed the U-boat, for obvious reasons when you see the attached photographs. First built in the 1950’s and this type of loco was successfully run for fifty years or so, mainly as freight haulers. These 2500 horsepower behemoths were manufactured for many railroads around the world and in Australia, in many configurations and can still be seen running on the odd demonstration weekend for enthusiasts or in museums. The project was started on second of June 2014, with the purchase of material to build a 3 metre long two rail bench on which to start construction of the main chassis members, which were purchased from a local steel supply company. Members with Skills in welding, fitting and turning have had to be dragged out of the nice warm clubrooms and put to work honing these attributes.

CHASSIS Many hours of design have gone into it as it has had to be scaled down from over 19 metres long in its original form to about 2 .6 metres. The finished article will weigh about 300 kilo’s, so will create quite a challenge to work out how to move it around in the workshop with ease as we ( well, them ) are all getting a bit long in the tooth to go struggling to move it with physical force. We have also been lucky to have access to a guillotine and a folder, with which we will be able to fabricate the cab and bodywork and we are enjoying the challenge of working with 1millimetre thick mild steel sheet to shape all the panels. Fastening the panels to the frame will also be quite a chore as there will be hundreds of screws and rivets to install. The screws are required as many panels have to be removed occasionally to service the batteries and other components. Some of the parts are being made at other businesses around Wangaratta as we do not have the facilities to make gentle curves that are required for the top of the engine compartment and the oil tank that is mounted in front of the cab.

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The bogies (or trucks as the Americans call them) will be purchased from overseas as they can have very complicated drive systems. It is envisaged that we will run it with 24 Volt battery power, but we will have to decide if we will rely on this power alone or install an engine of some kind to run a generator to keep the batteries charged. To our knowledge, No-one here has tackled building a loco before, so it will be a new experience for us all. In our Men’s shed, we can solve all the problems of the world as we sit around the coffee table, so a minor project like this presents no challenge to the likes of us.

MODEL PROTOTYPE

The VMSA Newsletter would love to recognise the work our Volunteers do

around shed land.

If you would like to nominate a volunteer please contact me at

vmsa@menssheds.net

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Cluster News

Croydon Shedders Russell Wicking and Ron Harper

Representatives of Croydon, Montrose and the new shed in Ringwood met to discuss the

possibility of forming a mutually supportive cluster.

VMSA Executive Officer Ric Blackburn was invited to come along and provide some insight

into the experiences of other sheds with clusters.

The group resolved to continue the process and the next meeting will be inviting other local

sheds to participate.

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September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the Continence Foundation of Australia

(Victoria) is offering to provide information talks to Men’s Sheds within 25kms (approx) of

Melbourne CBD on continence and the prostate. This offer is also available outside of

September.

The 1 hour session is delivered by a continence nurse and/or physiotherapist, and covers the

following topics:

- Types of incontinence

- What’s the prostate got to do with it?

- Structure & mechanics of the pelvis

- Healthy bladder & Bowel Habits

- Practical strategies & where to get help

Our health professionals are available to visit your Men’s Shed Tuesday, Wednesday and

Thursday, 9am – 5pm. The Victorian Continence Resource Centre does not charge for

community education sessions; however, as we are a not-for-profit organisation we do

appreciate gold coin donations.

All donations are tax deductible and will help us to continue to provide this valuable service.

To book your information session, please contact the Victorian Continence Resource Centre

03 9816 8266 or email info@continencevictoria.org.au

We look forward to hearing from you!

Gary Green – Community Engagement Manager, Australian Men’s Shed Association

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Future Newsletters

This Newsletter is being emailed to the Contact Person at each of the sheds on the VMSA

database. We are limited in our ability to send the Newsletter to every shedder and so we

ask that as the CONTACT PERSON for your shed please print and display the Newsletter.

If you have something to share with other sheds, write a short article (photos are handy) and send to the Executive Officer vmsa@mensshed.net

The VMSA acknowledges the assistance of the State Government of Victoria Disclaimer This newsletter is for general information only. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of VMSA Committee. Reasonable measures have been taken to ensure that the material contained in this Newsletter is correct. However there is no responsibility for the accuracy or the completeness of the material.

LIST OF VMSA COMMITTEE CONTACTS:

OFFICE BEARERS

President Paul Sladdin paulsladdin@bigpond.com Mansfield Shed Secretary Alistair Pilley ampilley@netspace.net.au Monash Shed Treasurer Phil Keily phil@gamfield.com.au Stamford Park Shed Vice President Rob Butler glassman689@hotmail.com Cobram Shed

COMMITTEE

Anthony Leigh simpleighgrow@gmail.com Keysman Shed

Lindsay Oates lindsayo@dcsi.net.au Mirrboo Nth Shed

Michael Martin michael.jm@aussiebb.com.au Castlemaine Shed

Stuart Marshall stuartjm01@gmail.com Euroa Shed

Barbara Look barbaral@southgippsland.vic.gov.au Milpara Shed