Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Kincumber Men's Shed.

If there is a question that you wanted answered or have been asked at some time, do not hesitate to send us an email or contact us directly.

Where is The Shed ?

The shed is in the grounds of the Kincumber Uniting Church, located at the corner of Avoca Drive and Killuna Drive Kincumber. Enter the grounds from Killuna Drive. There are bus stops located adjacent in Avoca Drive or plenty of parking in the grounds.

When is The Shed open ?

The shed is open on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8.30 am to 2.00 pm. The Shed will be open other days for special interest groups providing their own supervision.

What do you do in The Shed ?

Mainly we get together and share a bit of company, either over a cuppa or doing a project.

There are three main categories of activity at the shed. Personal projects, Shed improvement projects or community involvement projects. Members are welcome to be involved in any or all of these as is their own capability or interest. Or just to come to the shed and have a chat with these friendly guys as they go about their tasks.

How do I become a member of The Shed ?

Come and check us out and see what we do... no compulsion to join, just see what we do. If you like what you see... you can join for a fee of $5.00 and your signature on a membership form that asks for minimal information.

Do I have to pay for ongoing visits ?

No. Membership entitles you to attend the shed, become involved in Toolbox Meetings and commence work on your own projects or assist on Shed or community projects.

Members are encouraged to donate a gold coin in the Red Box each time they sign in. This is a donation only not a fees. Members choose to pay or not depending on their own circumstance. The ethos of The Shed is about inclusion so this is not meant to be a barrier to attendance.

However, the funds are important to the shed to keep up the standard of morning tea and provide some of the consumables that are require for the ongoing running of The Shed.

What is a Toolbox Meeting ?

Toolbox Meetings are the core democratic management of The Shed. These meetings are held over morning tea most days the the shed is open. This gives an opportunity to advise members, make resolutions and resolve disputes. The meetings are mostly casual affairs that discuss anything from tool maintenance, through safety concerns to major financial decisions for the The Shed. Everyone has the opportunity to express an opinion and a vote on major issues.

These meetings are generally presided over by Peter Jessop, the man with the wooden gavel.

[Don't be fooled, there is also a lot of laughter
and the chance to spin a yarn or two...ed]

Who pays for The Shed ?

There are are many sources of funding, sponsorship and significant contributors for The Shed. Major contributions include Kincumber Uniting Church in providing the land and Uniting Care Aged for funds to purchase the shed building. Many individuals donated or loaned funds at crucial times to allow The Shed to progress to the current operational stage. In addition, grants from community funding from Gosford Shire Council and the Federal & State Government have assisted in some projects.

Sourcing funding for the Kincumber Men's Shed is an ongoing challenge well worth the effort for a community resource that does so much to benefit not only for the men involved but the wider community as well. Donations, sponsorship or even some hours volunteered are all welcome at the Kincumber Men's Shed.

Where do you get the funds for materials and projects?

The Shed has received donations of material from members and the community, that have been used in many of the successful projects. However, for personal projects The Shed recommends purchase of you own materials, which can then be supplemented by on-hand stores where appropriate. For shed development projects, material will drawn from stores or sourced locally at the most suitable price. For community projects, we are able to provide labour and skills tools and workshop, but materials are the responsibility of the contracting organisation.

Len's Toys & Frank's Steps

Len Johnson has been hard at work cutting out toys. He is seen here with one of the end products and a stack of blanks that have been cut out on the band saw. There is always a job in the shed that is not only keeping the men busy but producing useful items that are distributed into the community.

In the rear of this photo Bob is hard at work on the drop-saw cutting out the Step Boxes. This a project for a local physiotherapist. The idea was brought into the shed by Frank Parker. There is a new skill and these are much appreciated by those undergoing physical thearpy.

Ernie's Garden

The Kincumber Men's Shed Garden may forever be known as Ernie's Garden for all the effort that Ernie Lawson has put into setting it up, sourcing the planters and soil and tending to the budding plants in the rear of the shed.

Not that he does it all alone he has had plenty of help setting up planter benches and and with an additional two new benches he is set to get into more serious planting over coming weeks.

There are already plenty of hardy herbs popping up their heads in the existing boxes. Lettuce and tomatoes are also coming through assisted by some warm autumn weather.

The garden may benefit considerably from the excellent soil that Joe has been delivering of late. Meant for fill around the new slab, Ernie spotted its potential and quickly incorporated the windfall topsoil into his garden project !!

Hospital Art Frames

Another 25 frames ready for delivery to Hospital Art. The new jig and the nail gun have certainly sped up production. Nothing get done without the manpower behind the production. This project has been helped along with the dedication of John Connor and Bob. They are both doing a sterling job of meeting the annual target on this project.

Storage Heaven

Amazing!! the stores in the shipping container are as well arranged as ever. The racking put together by the hard work of Alan Sparkes has made it easy to keep the right material in the right place. Ernie's planter boxes have found a niche down the back awaiting inclusion on the new benches at the rear of the shed.

Well done guys!! Who thought we would ever be this organised. It is great to have all these materials out of the shed working area. This makes working in the shed that much safer!!

Metalshop Slab

Peter and Wally inspect the form-work and reinforcing mesh that is all prepared for the pour on Tuesday.

Astounding to think that it was only about a week ago that the decision to go ahead with the Metalwork Annex was ratified by the Toolbox meeting.

The Kincumber Men's Shed does not muck about when theres a project to get its teeth into. Make the decision, find some funds, get the resources into place and it gets done in the blink of an eye.

Stand by for the photos and story of getting the new Metalwork Extension operational and full of busy blokes. Before long we will be needing new members to fill up the gaps on the project list for woodwork jobs and gardeners!!

The concreter, Carl dropped in today to set up some 'chairs' ready for tomorrows pour.

Bob's Electricals

We are fortunate to have the skills of a licensed electrician among our membership. Bob has stepped up for the rewiring of the Main Switch and various other electrical projects requiring attention in the shed.

Peter Jessop pointed out today that the wiring for the new Metalwork Shed is now in place, courtesy of Bob's hard work.