Christmas Party

The Kincumber Men's Shed celebrated Christmas in 2007 on a Monday.

In keeping with the ethos of the shed the event was held with in the shed itself. This allowed the event to be held at a time that suited the members, after a considerable discussion in the toolbox meetings leading up to the event.

This event was also an opportunity to show off the achievements of the shed during this inaugural year. Not the least of which was the fit-out of the interior by members and supporters. The addition of the mezzanine and the enclosed room were clear progress, but so too were benches and air cleaners, shelves and tool boards. Lets not forget that having a storage shed outside also allowed for some floor space to hold this Christmas Party and the diligent efforts to ensure the place was swept clean and cleared of hazards. Also and not the least of considerations, finally having an operational (and private) toilet on site meant that all could be comfortably accommodated within the shed.

The event included members, their spouses and partners, supporters and sponsors, community and charity groups that have benefited from the shed and an open invitation to member of the Kincumber and Central Coast Community.

One focus of the event was the donation of wooden toys cut out, assembled and painted by members of the shed. These toys were donated to the Central Coast branch of Aunties and Uncles. They were represented by Felicity Suters (Wyong) and Michelle Parish (Gosford) who indicated that these gifts would be ideal for inclusion in one their projects the ... Christmas Basket Brigade Appeal .. that would be packing the baskets on the following Saturday, at a local school for distribution before Christmas to local children in need.

The Christmas Party was well attended by members and community representatives who were updated by Dave Eaton on the status of the shed, the many projects that had been successfully achieved during the year and some outlook for the future. Jack Nixon represented the Shed for the toy hand-over to Aunties and Uncles. Ernie Lawson entertained us in song and one of the members wives thanked the Shed for providing such and excellent opportunity for health and happiness to the men of Kincumber. Even if that just meant keeping them from "underfoot syndrome" at home.

Toymaker Jack

Jack Nixon has been making toys and teaching the other men at the shed how to cut them out, put them together and finish them off with a bit of brightly coloured paint.

Most of these toys were donated to the Aunties and Uncles programme here on the Central Coast and were included in Christmas parcels distributed around the area.  

Enclosing room

This is the last toolbox meeting in the the breezy dust-ridden area.

As the photos shows, although held together by g-clamps at the time, the wall completing this end of the dust & wind proof room under the new mezzanine floor is well underway.

The need for an area to meet in free from noise and dust, wind and cold has been recognised for some time. Les Verity is doing a brilliant job of enclosing the inner end of the room. The outer portion of the room was eventually enclosed with sliding glass doors to allow natural light to enter and provide visibility of the entry door.

Shipping container arrives

Doug and Dave inspect the newly arrived shipping container. 

This container was modified for storage, painted to blend in with the site and now operates as the store room for materials.

BBC story

Sheds are big news. Here is a story on the BBC about the Aussie Shed movement. [just click the title of the post for the full story]

Horse invasion

There has been an invasion of horses to the Kincumber Men's Shed. For a while we were wondering if we need to get a pest eradication services in but most of them have found happy homes in locations around the local community.

There have been big horses, little horses, badly damaged horses, rocking horses, horses that you can pedal, toy horses, brand new horses and a myriad of colors white horses, blue horses, red horses, yellow and green horses.

There have been horses that rock back and forth and horses that race around tracks, wooden horses and metal horses. Horses of vintage years and horses that looked just fine after some tender ministrations by the skilled craftsmen of the Kincumber Men's Stable .. oops I meant Shed!!

If you have a horse that needs some tender loving care and would benefit from the skills of the the horse wranglers at Kincumber Men's Shed contact us by email, phone or drop in and show us the condition of your horse.

Peter hits the lathe

Alan teaching Peter Jessop how to do his own wood-turning.  

Peter spends so much time administrating the shed, raising funds and networking. It was good to see him get a chance to do some "hands on" with the lathe.

Our Lady of Loreto Gardens

Our Lady of Loreto Gardens asked The Shed to do a small project for their aged care facility.

On this occasion, residents of the facility were able to catch a glimpse of the men at work by maneuvering the bus up to the roller doors.

The Shed have also provided to Eira Steane, Activity Coordinator for the facility, a set of disc bowls and a quoit stand.

Delived to the facility just prior to the Melbourne Cup was a set of wooden horse heads on a stick, part of game for residents of the facility to enjoy the racing atmospheree on the famous November, Tuesday.

Wally Morison, Kim Hopkins & Eira Steane

Kincumber Day 2007

Kincumber Men's Shed once again attracted attention at the Kincumber Day festival.

Peter shows off toys made at The Shed
while Alan & Gordon demostrate Scroll Saw

Peter Jessop led the team of men from The Shed who displayed items produced at the shed, exhibited the display board picturing activities of the "shedders" and the operational Scroll Saw.

The Scroll Saw was hard pressed to meet the demand for "hugs". These were being produced on the spot as takeaway "hugs". This activity attracts adult attention for with its noise and industriousness and children for the gift hugs and the fascination of seeing something created in front of their eyes.

This was another successful promotion for the Shed with Peter & Joan, Wally, Alan, Gordon & Kim keeping the stand well covered during the day.

Will Peter doing anything to promote The Shed?

Belinda Neal visit

Belinda Neal visit to the Kincumber Mens Shed.

She spent the time hearing the concerns of the group about the upcoming election and the impact that might have on the funding for ongoing work at the shed.

The woodturners presented her with Wooden Clock in the hope that she might have good fortune with the "It's Time" theme being recycled for the upcoming poll.

Toolbox meetings are the place to be!!

Central Coast Community Congress

The Kincumber Men's Shed was nominated for a Community Project Award at the second annual Central Coast Community Congress Community Building Awards. The event

The shaky photo records all of the nominees in this category.
Peter Jessop is up there hiding among the worthy throng.

Alas, Kincumber Men's Shed were pipped a the post and received only the nomination on this particular occasion at the Wyong Shire Council chambers.

Peter & Joan Jessop, Wally Morison and Kim Hopkins, representing Kincumber Men's Shed at the occasion, all applauded loudly for the many awards won by the local Kincumber community.

There are number of photos of the event at this site here. (see if you can find wally's famous shorts in the crowd ... an online version of Where's Wally)

"Celebrating and recognising the diverse people and organisations on the Coast working hard to build community connections, the awards night attracted a huge number of nominations in 8 different categories. With 150 local people attending the night, the event is set to take off over the coming years as the Congress Working Party continues to promote, resource and celebrate everyone who works to build a strong, vibrant and diverse community here on the Coast."

Central Coast Community Congress

Jim Lloyd visit

Presentation to Jim Lloyd. Alan presents Jim with a wooden bowl turned up on the lathe at the shed. George also presented a pen turned up on a wood lathe. 

The Shed are seeking Federal Government support for the funding to complete the Metalwork Shed which will be an extension to the current structure. 

Gen-Y conversation

Some discussion in the Toolbox Meeting indicated that inter-generational communication presents a problem for members of the Kincumber Men's Shed.

Peter Jessop discussed the issue with Youth Connections who offered to invite some Generation-Y to the shed for a morning tea. The idea being that these Gen-Yers might be able to educate the older chaps on the thinking and issues that motivate and engage their generational(Y) cohort.

The men of The Shed spent an interesting and educational couple of hours over coffee and cake having their questions answered and learning new ways to understand the world from these very articulate (and patient) members of Gen-Y.

As identified at the 2007 Mens Shed Annual Conference, engaging older men in education needs to be done in innovative and relevant ways. Thanks to Peter, Youth Connections and our visitors for providing this opportunity for learning and growth among The Shed members.

Banner frame

Ross, Alan Sparkes and Mick Clarke review the Gosford Shire council banner frame under construction in front of the Shed.

The partially completed clicker wheel project for East Gosford Lions Club can be seen inside the door also.

The finished banner frame in-situ on the corner of Frost Park shows just how large a project the Kincumber Mens's Shed team can take on.

Shedders donate dolls house to Camp Breakaway

This doll-house was built at the Lane Cove Mens Shed and won by a member of Kincumber Men's Shed who promptly donated it to Camp Breakaway.

Camp Breakaway provides respite accommodation for children with physical disabilities. George, a volunteer at the camp, was happy to accept this donation for use in the camp or for inclusion in Christmas Hamper Raffle.

Mens Shed 2007 visit to Manly Shed

Geoff Dunn and John Sharples of The Entrance Mens Shed (TEMS) perusing the equipment layout and projects at the Northern Beaches Community Men's Shed during the Mens Shed 2007 Annual Conference at Manly. 

Kevin Armstrong (TEMS Chairman) reviewing the layout and operation of the shed [left] in Berkley Street Manly.

This Shed is one of the UnitingCare ageing sheds on the Sydney North Shore.

Mens Shed 2007 Conference

The 2nd National Mens Shed Conference held over three days at Manly. The conference was attended by three sheds on the Central Coast.

Wally Morrison and Peter Jessop kept an eager eye out on important lectures and relevant workshops on behalf of the Kincumber Men's Shed.

John Sharples, Kevin Armstrong and Geoff Dunn of the "shedless", The Entrance Mens Shed (TEMS), took in all that they could about establishing a shed.

Kim Hopkins involved in both these ventures also covered events that were relevant to the emerging shed at San Remo.

Anthony Brown of the Men's Health Information Resource Centre (MHIRC) at UWS, walking the corridors of the Mens Shed 2007 conference.

Rotary Chocolate Wheel

Dave Eaton and Alan Sparkes cutting out the Chocolate Wheel for the East Gosford Lions Club.

A special jog was constructed to allow the sheet to turn evenly under the band saw. Two wheels were prepared simultaneously. If there are any organisations looking for Chocolate Wheel for fundraising, give the Kincumber Shed a call on 0416 709 478.

Uniting visit

The Shed was visited by Uniting Care aged today. They were intested to see the setup in the Kincumber Shed and learn of any information that could be of benefit in other sheds.

Garrie is also able to offer assistance in completing an OH&S audit for the Shed.


Wally Morison, Garrie Kidd (Uniting Care), Brian Howell & Dave from Wauchope Men's Shed.

The Grenfell Shed

The Grenfell Shed is unique in having a railway carriage attached to it. Which may top our garden and shipping container.

There is some history of their shed here.

And they have a dynamic presence on myspace.

Youth Connections

This group was celebrating the completion a term of Youth Connections finishing up their 8 weeks at the Shed.

Each was given a certificate to commemorate their successful time building projects and learning skills. This group has constructed a billy cart, some bird feeders and toys.

Youth Connections also commemmorated the event by giving The Shed a certificate or appreciation for the efforts of all involved.

a 'conduit of help'

Len Wallace awarded 'local hero' status for his work in the Cowra Men's Shed.

Berry Men's Shed

Continuing Peter Jessops listening tour of the the south coast sheds...

The Berry Men's Shed is housed in an old church building that provides plenty of space for tools and equipment.

The Berry Shed has an excellent dust extraction system that deals not only with the dust thrown out at the source equipment, but also has a suspended system for filtration of micro-particles that can be so dangerous in a workshop environment.

CONTACTS

Email:
berrymensshed@aapt.net.au

Shed:
0410 360 245 (Tuesday & Thursday)

Community Liason:
Sonya Cochrane 0410 086 425 (Tuesday)

Nowra Shed

Peter Jessop's continuing listening tour to the Sheds of the south coast or NSW. Peter has been visiting the various sheds to understand the physical layout, the operational challenge and the social impact on members and their communities.

The Nowra Men's Shed is mainly operated in the open air. All tools, equipment and projects are stored inside the garage (pictured left).

This is a happy dynamic and growing group of men who enjoy each others company and a a quite cuppa at their toolbox meetings.

Nowra Men's Shed is supported by the Uniting Church and Uniting Care Ageing.

Location:
48 Junction Street
Nowra NSW

For details of governance, tools, membership, projects - both private and community, or training, ring one of the following members: -

Paul Warren ... 4446 6454
Rod Carpenter ... 4446 6258
Neville Bray ... 4423 0200
Don Parkinson ... 4421 8695
Alan Spearpoint ... 4423 5901
Bernie Smith ... 4421 7015

Dad's Day Out - Lake Munmorah

Peter Jessop and his wife, Joan tended the stall for Kincumber Men's Shed. Displays of toys, hospital art and other items were on display along with literature about the aims and achievements of the shed.

Kevan Smith, Wyong Shire Council manned the neighbouring stall with literature on men's health and and local facilities for men in Wyong Shire.

The event is sponsored by The Benevolent Society and oraganised by the San Remo Neighbourhood Centre.

Cradle Restoration

Men at the shed helped to restore a small wooden cradle for the Kinburra Pre-School. 

Mezzanine commences

Heres a good benchmark photo.

Mick Clarke, up the stairs is working on the joists for the mezzanine floor assisted by Joe Homer. Thats Dave in the foreground.

Before this there was little storage area in the Kincumber Shed. You might notice the chairs and other items placed on the ceiling of the recently finished Disabled Toilet.

The mezzanine when it was finished not only provided for off the workshop floor storage, but formed the ceiling of the enclosed room that allows an area free from dust and that provides a warm room for a cuppa and those lengthy and rumbunctious Toolbox Meetings.

Willioughy Opens

The Willoughby Community Men's Shed opening at the Northbridge Golf Club.

view of proceedings

The facility was opened by the local Mayor to a group comprised of local members, invited guests and those interested from the community gathered on the front lawn.

After the opening ceremony all were invited inside to view the newly operational facility. The shed is well set out with sufficient machinery to assist shedders in their personal or community projects. The impressive ducted dust extraction system was something to be envied and makes for much safer and more comforatble working environment.

The Mayor formally opens the Willoughy Shed

Willoughby Community Men's Shed

Contact:- Tony Clifford

Telephone: (02) 9958 0529

E-Mail: wcms@cliffordmarine.com.au

Location:
296E Sailors Bay Road
Northbridge NSW

Current Status:-
Fully Operational
via Northbridge Golf Club Car Park,

Types of Activities: 08/02/08 Currently Open Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00AM to 3:00PM or as required. Extensive Woodworking and metal working machinery. Wood and metal lathes.