January 2021 Newsletter
President's Report
We are closing in on finishing the work on the mezzanine floor. The elevator has been ordered. There are still a few small items to finalise but they are in hand.
A few of our members have had health problems. I suppose that is to be expected at our time of life. Ron Braun has had a knee replacement. He is no longer the man he was.
Now a big concern at our shed. Complacency when using machines. We have had two serious injuries. These two incidents could have been much worse. I can assure you the difference between half an inch and an inch on a machine can be the difference between the total loss of a finger or just a bad cut. Members should not be frightened to use a machine, but they should be cautious at all times. Concentrate on what you are doing. The lines around the machines are there for a purpose. Don’t enter that area if someone is using the machine. It is distracting.
I know everyone is sick to death of hearing about Covid. However keep it in mind. We have introduced a few new rules to assist with social distancing. Four people at a table. It is not a suggestion it is a rule. There is no need for everyone to sit down together at morning tea. Stagger your time. It is illegal for ten people to gather around the coffee, sugar and urn. While I am not paranoid about covid I am conscience of keeping my social distance. You should be too.
One of our newer members Paul has offered to run a fitness course. I know now, none of us will get to run a marathon, but I am sure a health programme will benefit us all if we commit to participating. More on this later.
Paint. We still have a vast amount of paint. If any member needs some paint please see Ken Ryan. Do not just take it on yourself to take it. You are welcome to what you need but ask first. It was very disappointing last time we offered paint, a couple of members just helped themselves.
The biggest item that we have coming up in the near future is a working bee. Please make some time to come and help. It is a great time to interact with other members in a more relaxed atmosphere. To explain a few points of the working bee. The collection of wood dust on beams around the shed is a fire hazard. The dust will virtually explode if it comes in contact with fire.
Committee meetings. I would like to point out that any member of our shed is permitted to come to a committee meeting to witness the working of the shed. You are also permitted to sight the minutes of any meeting. If you wish to attend a meeting please request to do so. You will not be permitted to speak at the meeting, but your attendance is more that welcome.
It was approved at our recent meeting to purchase a bandsaw mill. This will enable us to mill larger pieces of timber in a more accurate and much safer way.
Prior to the working bee. If members have had jobs stored in the store rooms for some time please attend to them. If you want them come and get them. We are getting far to many items stored and neglected.
Finally I would like to make a point to all members. My position as president and the position of all the committee is for the betterment of our shed. At every meeting I am amazed at the dedication of these members who are prepared to go that little bit further. To take extra time and responsibility. It is not just the meeting times. Members also carry out work away from the shed to improve it for the general members.
If you have any ideas for improvements in the shed please approach a committee member and discuss it. If you have a concern - if you don’t let us know we can’t fix it. My idea of an organisation is an inverted triangle. The small base is the committee supporting the larger section the members.
I am looking forward to sharing a great 2021 with all our members.
President Tom Skinner
General News
Working Bee
Clean up days:
Monday 1st February
Tuesday 2nd February
Wednesday 3rd February
DO YOUR BIT
Beware of Scammers
Recently the shed management thwarted a potential loss of funds when scammers tried to get a bogus invoice payment. Information from the website (we presume) was used to fake a payment authorisation with Tom's name and details. Rob, being the cunning Scotsman that he is, checked the account of the scammer, and replied asking for the invoice details, which, surprisingly, did not come.
The incident has been reported to various Government Authorities, as well as the bank of the scammer. All in all it was a very amateur attempt, but still, without vetting, could result in the loss of funds.
Be aware at home of scammers. Always question anyone who requires information or money from you. Either ignore the request, ask for confirmation via other means, like phone numbers you can call back and check, paperwork, and / or authorisation from another source.
Exercise
Robert and Tom are looking into setting up a 'gentle' exercise program for shedders. Pauly, a new member to the shed, has offered to run exercise classes for shed members. How this will work, and what's involved will be researched and shedders will be notified accordingly.
Excess Paint
Again, we remind shedders that we have a lot of excess paint that has been donated to the shed. We cannot sell it, so if you need some indoor or outdoor paint talk to Ken Ryan. It's free, so the price is right, although a donation is always welcome. As Tom has stated in his report, if you want some paint, DON'T just take it - see Ken Ryan first. We may need the paint you want.
Be Covid Safe
COVID-19 IS STILL NEARBY!
As a precaution, members are urged to practice Social Distancing at all times.
The lunch room is now limited to seating no more than 4 persons at each table,
with staggered morning tea and lunch times to keep numbers in the area to a minimum.
Also, don't crowd around the tea and coffee making facilities.
Remember, it's your health that is at risk.
Minor (?) Workplace accidents
If you ask to look at the accident register you will see that the Coffs Harbour Shed is NOT accident free. We have incidents happening regularly. Unfortunately, most of these are preventable with common sense and patience. On January 6 a shedder nearly took the top of his thumb off simply because he didn't wait for a rotating saw blade to come to a stop. The shedder was taken to hospital as a precaution, but this accident was fully avoidable.
IT MIGHT SEEM SMALL BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE WHOLE THUMB!
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF DANGEROUS TOOLS
Grounds Report
The wet has made things a little more difficult to manage, most of the garden and grounds are saturated. Here’s to a little sunshine.
The outside areas have been sprayed every few weeks in attempt to keep the weeds at bay. This includes along northern fence line.
We have newly planted 6 passion fruit vines (thanks to Tony Goninann) that will eventually cover the northern fence. We should have a good crop in 12 months time.
Besides passionfruit we have watermelon, tomatoes and strawberries planted. The watermelons are thriving growing outside the garden bed. They should be ready in a few weeks time. The tomato’s likewise are doing well. The strawberries on the other hand not so well. The plants are very healthy but the fruit in very small. Flavours are good though. Any advice from a green thumbs out there?? Everyone is welcome to help yourself to the strawberries Provided They Replace The Netting.
Other plants are struggling in the wet. The Kangaroo Paw likewise have wet feet. About 5 have died. I think they need a more sandy soil to grow well.
The grevillea royal mantle, ground cover is starting to spread, but a couple have died and need replacing. Cost about $30.00.
Graham Miller
11/01/2021
Logo Competition
Last year we ran a competition to get some ideas for an new or updated logo. The best and most innovative entries are shown below. We decided that the first image shown was the best to draw inspiration from. Logos are not only used on signs and letterheads these days. They need to be small, square, round, large, iconised etc, so complicated logos work well in large publications, but not for emails, websites, icons... All large companies use very simple graphic designs to create a 'mark' that's recognisable anywhere, think of the Adidas 'tick', the Commonwealth Bank changed to CommBank, and now to CAN.
All entries will receive a $50 Bunnings Voucher as we appreciate all efforts.
Shedmen Report
Well, here it is 2021, the start of a new musical year for the in house band affectionately known as “THE SHEDMEN”.
We have all had a well earned break and commenced our weekly jam sessions last Tuesday with nearly all in attendance. Surprisingly we kicked off with some good old Chuck Berry Rock n Roll tunes like Johnny Be Good, and other 12 bar Rock that any band member yelled out from memory and we all passionately filled in. Ye ole shed was a rockin'n'reelin. Some great improvisation from our guitar section and sax player.
Obviously Covid has limited any possibility of the band playing for some retirement homes entertainment but we are planning to contribute to the community where we can, when we can. We are planning to play some music on Garage Sale days in the future so that should roll the crowds in. Watch this space.
The Mens Shed annual Xmas party has been the only chance for the SHEDMEN to perform for the members that attended. Tony (drums) and Col (bass)were not able to be present unfortunately but reports were favourable even if a bit loud for the venue etc. (lucky they weren't there?).
Gillie was to undergo a hip replacement in January but that has been deferred indefinitely so until then he has to stand on one leg with no “hippy, hippy shake”. Col has had some family illness and commitments which has had him practising at home but he should be back on deck this week. Tony complaining of a dilapidated knee but that doesn't stop him banging the bass drum.
Our President TOM is recovering from his shoulder operation and graces our presence regularly to show off his vocal abilities. (who wrote this??).
Please do not forget members, that the musical section is just another extension of the wide variety of experiences we can pursue through our shed and everybody is welcome to join in, whether it be with an instrument of your choice or to grab the microphone.
Jam sessions every Tuesday 8-30am til 2pm.
If the door is closed, please just come in to listen and tap your feet.
MUSIC is a great leveller and most importantly, it makes you feel good.
Til next time.
TONY GONINAN
PS Ask your friends to check You Tube : Shedmen Jamming 2020 for our first attempt at stardom. We hope to do a Rock n Roll theme later this year. (Youtube video below.)
The Shedmen go public
Those who attended the Shed Christmas dinner had a taste of what the "Shedmen" sound like on the stage. A couple of days later the boys got together at the shed, and were filmed rehearsing a few numbers. The sound quality isn't the greatest because we only used microphones on the speakers, and not through a proper mixing console, but the spirit and enjoyment of the band can be seen throughout the whole video.
Take a look at our musos having some fun. This video, as well as many others, are available on youtube. Just type in Coffs Harbour Mens Shed into the search bar to see them all. Alternatively, visit the media page on our website.
Thanks to all the band members for their co-operation, and thanks to my good friend Steve Young for helping with the shoot.
Wise words
Projects
TV Cabinet
Well, it ended up as a TV bench
Food Truck
The Braun Legacy
Committee 2021
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Tom Skinner
Vice President: Ken Ryan
Secretary: Tony Winter
Treasurer: Garth Howard
Assistant Secretary: Warren Sanger
Assistant Treasurer: Ken Ryan
GENERAL COMMITTEE
David Churchyard
Robert Houston
Peter Jackson
Ken Howe
Glenn Cox
Brain Franklin
OPERATIONAL MANAGERS
Shed Managers & Office Administration:
Robert Houston
David Churchyard
Health & Welfare Officers:
David Churchyard
Ken Howe
Woodwork Shop:
Tom Skinner
Metalwork / Engineering:
Peter Jackson
Information Technology / Website / Media:
Tony Winter
Supporters of the Coffs Harbour Men's Shed
The Coffs Harbour Community Men's Shed wishes to thank all our supporters, both large and small,
for their ongoing support and generous donations of time and money.
