As is usual we open our Email each morning  to see if there is anything members need to know about.
On the 10th January we received a pleasant surprise via Email from Eagles Plumbing Supplies.
Apparently the Staff form all the Eagles Central Coast Branches held a golf day & raised $2000 on the day.
Management decided to split the proceeds up between 4 Coastal Men's Sheds with each to receive $500. 
The 4 lucky Sheds were; Umina, Gosford, San Remo & Bateau Bay. 

Bateau Bay & San Remo Presidents receiving their Sheds  Cheque

  

On the 13th December our Shed held its traditional end of year BBQ. Members & their wives were invited but most women declined the offer. 
There were about 45 members in attendance as well as staff from ADSSI Home Living one of our major sponsors.
With a menu of Porterhouse steak, KFC, Sausages, Bacon, Onions as well as Beer & Soft Drink there was plenty to eat & drink.
 Our members thought it was great we were able to put on such a spread without asking for donations. 
As can be seen by the photos an enjoyable time was had by all.

Steve Craige has many varied & unusual hobbies. In the past he has made a scale replica model of an American destroyer (the name of which escapes me), He has also made a full size Gypsy Caravan that he & his wife lived & toured in, but has now sold.

He is 2/3 of the way through making another scale model of the American PT596. 

He brought it to the Shed recently to make some mounting brackets to sit it on. 

We don't know how you have the patience for these projects Steve.

David Greene is associated with the Australian Catholic University (Strathfield) Gymnasium & is the son of Tom Greene one of our veteran members. 

He said it would be nice if they had some sort of storage racks for the various bar weights they have in the Gym. 

Tommy never shy's away from a challenge so as usual said, 

"I can do that".

We set him up with a bending jig & away he went.

After much cutting, bending & welding, he had the racks professionally painted in a Grey hammertone finish.

For something quite different from your normal timber projects, you did a great job Tom; well done!

 

 

The Shed had a phone call from Kelly who is an avid rabbit lover.

She asked if we would be interested in making a 3 tier rabbit bank to house her rabbits overnight.

There was a specific criteria needed so we agreed to give it a go.

Bryan reluctantly (as always) agreed to see it through to the end & after much stressing out & with the help of a couple of other members managed to achieve a great result.

 Kelly was so elated with the Bank she will be ordering another one early in the new year.  

We don't think Bryan will be interested in the next one.

Some months ago Nicole from Community Wildlife Environment Network asked if we would make some boxes suitable to house micro bats. Our wildlife expert Graham put his hand up, did some research & came up with this simply constructed box with attached mesh.
 His team can now add this to their list of wildlife protection boxes they already make.

. .   

In early August Clive Tubnor, one of our long standing members, attended a function where the new member for Dobel, Emma McBride MP was present. 
He introduced himself & in the course of conversation the activities of Men's Shed movement were discussed. 
Emma showed keen interest in what he had to say & asked if it would be possible to visit our Shed at a later date. A visit was arranged for 26th September & she arrived at 10am in time for morning tea.
Emma was gracious enough to answer all the questions the members had without being too political. 
She then asked to be shown around the Shed as well as the Community garden at the rear of our premises.  
She was suprised by the mens many activities as well as the machinery we have & left with a lasting impression of what Men's Sheds are all about.  As soon as Emma arrived back at her office she posted the days events on her Facebook page together with photos. It turned into a worthwhile visit for all concerned.