November 2020 Newsletter

November 2020

Here we are again at the end of another year. The older I get the quicker they seem to turn up. I am very pleased with the progress of the shed over this last year. It seems there is always something occurring that is making for a much better shed for everyone. I have been very ably supported by a lot of people this year. Their ongoing efforts in supporting our shed is gratefully appreciated. I would like to give them my thanks.

We have had the opportunity this year to work on some special projects. The Art Deco table that has just been finished is one such project. It is a fine example of that period. I would suggest if you are interested please take the time to examine it. When I say take the time I don’t mean just to look. This is a fine piece of tradesmanship. I guarantee that if this was on a an antique program it would be spoken of, as a very fine piece.

Unusual jobs also flow in and then out the door. We never know what we will be designing and making. One of our latest was a pair of Angel wings. The problem we had there was to find a person Holy enough to make them. One of our newer members, Chris, came to the fore. He has not been a member long enough to have been contaminated with the evil ways of some members. A fine job appreciated by the Angel.

I would like to remind members. Our men’s Shed is exactly that.  “Our” Not mine, not the committee. Our.

If you do not treat the machines with care, the result affects you as well as everyone else. Machines allow us to do things so much easier. Please treat them as you might your golf clubs, fishing gear, your car. Do not force anything through a machine. If you have to force it, something is wrong. Stop. Ask. 

One of our bigger gains this year has been the growth with “The Shedders” - our inhouse “Boys Band’
(I use the word Boy’s here very loosely. When you think about it, it was the last century when any of them were boys.) Beetles, Bee Gees, Boy’s Own. Eat your heart’s out. With the improvement in this area I feel the local council had better get their act together with our Entertainment Venue.

For everyone’s input to our shed this year I give you my personal thanks. I know you will continue in this vein next year.

I wish you and your families a Blessed Christmas and may next year be everything you could hope for.

Tom Skinner
President.
Coffs Harbour Community Men’s Shed

November 2020

Toolbox Meetings: A "Toolbox Meeting" is to be held following the monthly Committee meeting at morning tea, for 1 week after the meeting. Changes will be explained and any problems discussed. This is a chance for every member to comment on what is going on in the shed. Any comments or suggestions will be listened to and if appropriate, acted on.

Job Sheets: We are having the same problem as usual with Job sheets and people assuming the job they are doing is going to cost the minimum of $10. Job costs have to be ratified in the office by either Robert or Dave, or if they are not available, by either Tom or Ken Ryan. Any job sheet not confirmed in the office will incur a charge of $30.00 minimum or the retail cost of materials used.

The Shedmen: Warren is hopeful that a grant to supplement the bands equipment is granted, and one of the goals is to be able to perform outside the shed and maybe raise funds to support the shed. Members are encouraged to sit in on the Tuesday Jamming session.

Woodshop: The woodshop is travelling along and all is good, Tom has restored a beautiful Art Deco Table this last month, with bookmatched grain on all flat surfaces. This has to be seen to be appreciated. Interested - talk to Tom so he can explain Bookmatching and what is involved.

Robert Houston
Manager (Voluntary)

Toolbox Meeting 16-20 November

• This year’s AGM & Xmas party is on Thursday 10 December AGM will start at 10:00 am followed by a BBQ. Shed closes at 12:00 noon. Xmas Party starts at the 300 Bowling Alley at 3:30 pm followed by Dinner at the Coffs Hotel.
• Job Sheets: again, every job in the shed must have a jobsheet, personal jobs especially and an agreed price worked out In the Office by either Dave or Robert, if neither of them are available the see Tom or Ken to confirm price. Any job sheet not completed this way will be disregarded and you will be charged a minimum of $30 and full retail for any materials used.
• Scrap Wood: There is no such item in our shed, all wood can and is turned into something useful which then has a value, this is what you are being charged for, anyone found cutting up wood to get a scrap wood price will be charged full retail, (be careful full retail on Western Red Cedar is $24-25 per metre, wide pine boards are similar at $25 for 1.2 m)
• Machine Operation: anyone found using a machine incorrectly will be warned once the second time will have your induction removed and you will not be able to use that machine again until your induction is reinstated. We do understand accidents can happen and parts and blades wear out this is totally different from incorrect/abuse of a tool. If a machine needs maintenance report it to the Office, Tom or Ken
• Ability to Use a machine: If you are carrying an Injury please be aware of your limitations and do not use tools that will result in another injury, our insurance company will love to hear from us that someone has had an another accident. Limitations mean you are not able to adjust said machine or are not able to firmly feed wood into the machine, a piece of wood getting thrown at you at around 250 km/h is going to hurt, and could also potentially hurt bystanders near the machine.

1. Apologies.
2. Acceptance of minutes from last AGM 11 December 2019.
3. Presidents Report.
4. Treasurers Report and Financial Statement.
5. Election of office bearers and ordinary management committee members.
6. Nomination forms are available below.
7. Other Business.

You are cordially invited to attend the annual Christmas Party for Coffs Harbour Community Men’s Shed Inc. to be held at 

Club 300 Bowling & Bar, 
74-76 Grafton St, Coffs Harbour, 

from 3:30 pm, 

and after for dinner at the 

Coffs Hotel in the Auditorium 

around 5:30 pm

For catering purposes we need to know approximate numbers attending, please complete form below to indicate numbers attending, Partners welcome. Due to COVID-19, numbers will be restricted.

The Shedmen will be providing the entertainment at our Christmas dinner at no cost to members. So come and enjoy a great evening of fun and music.
 
Note: you can reply by 

Click to email 

drop the form into the office

Click to download form 

or come into the office to fill it in.
Needs to be returned by 3 Dec 2020

OFFICE HOURS

Open most hours about 9.00 am or 10.00 am, as early as 7.00 am, but sometimes as late as 12 noon or 1.00 pm.

We close about 5.30 to 6.00 pm, occasionally about 4.00 to 5.00 pm, but sometimes as late as 11.00 pm or 12 Midnight.

Some days or afternoons we aren't here at all, and lately we've been here just about all the time, except when we're someplace else.

But we should be here then too!

Another beautiful day in Coffs Harbour brought out more new visitors and bargain hunters to the latest garage sale. The number of punters through the door was down on the previous month, but strong sales early in the day made for another successful trading day.

Everyone enloys a bargain

Breakfast is generally available for the early volunteers

Robert can often be seen tinkering with the new laser cutting technology that the shed is lucky to own. Various substrates and thicknesses can be perfectly cut using this fine laser. As seen in these pics, Robert is making specialised goods for in house and for sale. If you are interested in what the capabilities are for this laser, have a chat to Robert.

Morning Robert

On behalf of Sawtell SLSC can I sincerely thank the team at Coffs Harbour Mens Shed for their great work in bringing the Cassius (or what is left of it) back to its former glory.

The Cassius now stands proudly in the corner of our auditorium. I have attached two photos for your records.

You may be interested in the name. When the Club was looking at raising funds for a new surfboat someone put forward the idea of naming it after Cassius Clay (before he became Muhammad Ali). A letter was sent to Cassius asking for his support but alas no reply.

I believe the Cassius came to a sudden end whilst competing in a carnival at North Beach and what you have repaired was what was able to be salvaged.

A Certificate of Appreciation will be sent by snail mail.

Once again many, many thanks

Bruce Macphail
Secretary
Sawtell SLSC

Its final resting place

In the shed being refurbished

David showing a new member around the shed

Sometimes (mostly) it's just grunt work

Brian getting a chair ready for the new committee

Table top in between finishes

More grunt work

Shedders are happy men...

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President: Tom Skinner
Vice President: Ken Ryan
Secretary: Tony Winter
Treasurer: Garth Howard

GENERAL COMMITTEE

David Churchyard
Robert Houston
Peter Jackson
Ken Howe
Glenn Cox
Warren Sanger
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:

Ray Meyer

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.