National Men's Health Gathering 2011

Men's Health Gathering to be held in Perth WA from September 19-22, 2011

The Men's Health Gathering 2011 provides a chance for delegates to participate in strengthening the advancement of male health in the Australasian region and beyond through effective strategic planning and knowledge management. The Gathering will incorporate the 6th National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention, the 5th National Men and Family Relationships Forum and the 9th National Men’s Health Conference. Mark your diaries now to attend the 2011 Gathering in Western Australia.

Men's Shed Gathering Central Coast

Greetings Shedders

The last Cluster meeting for the year is scheduled for Wednesday 1rd December, BUT the venue has been changed and all Shedders are invited to this special event.

Historic Alison Homestead at Wyong is one of the latest Sheds to join the Cluster and they have invited us to a joint gathering and BBQ at the homestead. This may be for many your first visit to Alison Homestead and we plan to have a very short Cluster meeting and then sit back and relax with a burnt sausage or two a couple of cold drinks and a chance to have a look at their extensive collection of old tools and machinery.

We hope David Harris, the Local Member for Wyong will join us and a strong turn out of men will only reinforce his  already good understanding of the role Sheds play in our community.

 Bunnings have indicated they will also be attending and some of the “district pioneers” will be in attendance as well.

Roman Paull,  the Alison Homestead Shed coordinator has arranged for a group of pre employment workers to show their skills as they work on reconstructing one of Wyong Shires original slab huts. 

He is very interested in discussing his ideas for developing a Shed and said he would welcome your input.

Alison Homestead was build in 1875 and is set on 2 hectares of landscaped lawns and gardens and has excellent BBQ facilities. 

The homestead is at 51 Cape Road West Wyong.  Coming from Wyong, head along Alison Road, past Wyong High School and the TAFE, past Wyong Christian Community School and just before the F3 and opposite the Old Milk/Butter Factory (the Central Coast Wood Turners Workshop) is a sign to the Homestead which is only a hop-step & jump along Cape Road.

To assist with catering please let Kim Hopkins (mobile 0413 244 484 or email  ccshedcluster@gmail.com) know how many men from your Shed will be coming. The more the better.  This will be a great opportunity to meet up with other Shedders and see a part of our community history few of us have seen.

We plan to start the short Cluster meeting around 12 and then quickly move into relaxing mode but if you would like to turn up earlier and volunteer some of your time to our newest Shed then you would be most welcome.

See you there.

John Sharples
President

Central Coast Shed Cluster Inc

1 Bay Village Road
BATEAU BAY NSW 2261

Tel: 0423 147 326

ccshedcluster@gmail.com

 www.centralcoastsheds.com

NSW Men's Shed Association State Gathering

The Central Coast Men's Sheds were stongly represented at the NSW Men's Shed State Gathering. Amid over 100 delegates from around the state this is good affirmation of the commitment of shedders to have a strong State based chaper for Men's Sheds.

This very successful gathering was held at the State Sports and Recreation Facility at Myuna Bay, on the shores of beautiful Lake Macquarie

The very full programme for the Saturday gave those gathered a chance to hear about

• current research on Mens Sheds from Barry Golding
• currrent AMSA news from David Helmers
• NSW Mens Shed Asscociation organisation
• funding opportunites
• insurance and risk management
• discussion of the role of clusters or regions
• arrangements for an Annual General Meeting
• affirmation of the steering committee membership

Panel discussion was vibrant with strong participation from the audience. The gathering resolved to affirm the nominated representatives of the Steering Committee and encouraged them to hold an AGM and election of officers at the earliest opportunity.

There was also plenty of time for networking between delegates, viewing the exhibits of sponors and the information provided about the many different sheds in NSW and the progress they are making in support of Men's Health.

Help to Prevent Suicide

Central Coast Express Advocate
26 Nov 2010 p14

White Ribbon Breakfast

Four members of the Central Coast Shed Cluster Committee attended the White Ribbon Breakfast at Kooinda Waters, supporting this inaugural event for the Mens Interagency, Central Coast.

A big THANKS to everyone who supported the White Ribbon Breakfast. 

Well done to the four winners of our lucky door prizes. CC Bears supporters packs, Mariners Gold pass ticket, and a night at Magenta shores. 

Special thanks for donations from, Central Coast Bears, Fortunity, Mariners, Housing NSW, Central Coast Domestic ...Violence Committee, Hemsleys Cakes, Central Coast Community Council. 

Thanks to the Community V.I.P.s and specially to Uncle Jack for his acknowledgment of country. 

To the special guest speakers, thank you for making this a morning to remember. And Finally..... To those who couldn’t attend.... Hope we see you at the breakfast in 2011

Darren Maxwell
Vice President

Central Coast Shed Cluster Inc

Access Program Coordinator Selected

Following advertising, short listing and interview the Selection Panel were unanimous in selecting Kim Hopkins for the Access Program Coordinator position. Kim was offered the position on Wednesday 24 November which he gladly accepted.

The program is supported by NSW Department Of Community Services and is a joint venture with Central Coast Sheds and will run for 3 years. Kim's appointment is for 3 days a week and it is anticipated that he will formallyenter on duty in the first or second week of December.

His role will be to work with Central Coast Disabilities Service providers and Sheds, to provide direction for the Cluster and individual Sheds to develop programs that provide social space in a workshop environment for men with disabilities and men who are socially isolated.

He will be aiming to foster partnerships with disability providers and Sheds, coordinate training in disability access initiatives and negotiate the acceptance of men with identified needs into Sheds.

Kim now wears 2 hats with his current role as Cluster Development Worker as well as the Access Program Coordinator so apart from being kept very busy he expects to be able to blend the roles together so that both benefit and more positive results are achieved. Kim will continue to be based in the Tuggerah Lakes Community Centre (when he's not on the road between Sheds and meetings) so his contact details remain the same.

Congratulations Kim !!

John Sharples, President
Central Coast Shed Cluster Inc

Presidents Report - Nov 2010

Cluster President’s Monthly Report – November 2010

• The official opening of the Gosford Men’s Shed was a highlight of the month.  The Local Member Belinda O’Neill opened the Shed and with the Gosford City Mayor Mr Laurie Maher in attendance Sheds received a very favourable promotion.

• Applications for the Shed Access position closed early in the month and following the interviews Kim Hopkins was offered the position, which he has accepted. This position is the outcome of a grant from the State Government, Department of Human Services to assist in developing structures and programs that assist disabled and socially isolated men to join in Shed activities. The project will run for 3 years and Kim’s employment will be for 3 days per week.

• I attended the White Ribbon Breakfast at Koorindah Waters in late November. Central Coast Men’s Interagency promoted this event to highlight men speaking out against violence against women.

• I had the opportunity to speak at a gathering of residents at a retirement village at Bateau Bay at which the operation of Sheds on the Coast was promoted.

• Along with a number of Shedders from Coastal Sheds and the Cluster I attended the State Men’s Shed Conference at Myuna Bay last Saturday.  The discussions and decisions coming from this meeting will be considered in the future and a full report will be prepared for the next Cluster meeting.

John Sharples

President

Gosford Men's Shed Opening

After Months in the making, Gosford Community Men's Shed had it's Official Opening on Friday 19th November 2010. The Hon Member for Robertson Deborah O'Neill officiated and declared the Shed opened.

Some 100 Guests, Sponsors and Members attended. Although the weather was not the best, the Day was an outstanding success. NBN Television covered the event . As a result another 4 Members were signed up on Monday. Congratulations to all who contributed on the Day, a job well done.

John Welland

President

Gosford Men's Shed

Movember

Will Branford is the only committee member this year brave enough to engage in  Movember. 

In the photograph he is making an intergenerational comparison with his grandfathers moustache.

Congratulations to all those shedder making a contribution by getting hairy faces for Movember.

Presidents Award

John Roberts, from the Benevolent Society, an AMHF member, writes “Just to let you all know on Wednesday last I attended the Benevolent Society AGM with Kim Hopkins, an AMHF Executive Member, who as you know was a formal volunteer with the Society working on the MARS project and specifically with the Mens Health Gathering, the creation of the CC Shed Cluster and the growth of sheds across the region. Kim was 1 of 27 nominations for the President’s Award out of 685 volunteers. There were 5 finalists and Kim was chosen. I would like to congratulate Kim on this achievement and look forward to working alongside Kim in the future.” Kim was also a nominee for Volunteer of the Year for NSW. Congratulations Kim.

Professor John Macdonald

President

Australasian Men's Health Forum

exerpt from the AMHF Newsletter

Seventh shed set to open

Central Coast Expresss Advocate
Wednesday 17 Nov 2010 p12

Baby Expo

The Mobile Mens Shed went for a day out to the Baby Expo at The Entrance Community Centre and had a visit from Santa.

The Entrance Men's Shed put on a sausage sizzle for the day and set out a stall with various wooden items for sale. The Shed is building up quite a stock of unique hand made items for sale.... check with your local shed for Christmas present ... new ideas exlusive to your local shed and not sold in stores. Childrens toys, home and office items all crafted with care.

Thanks to the Women's Health Centre at Wyoming who took the lead with this event and for welcoming the participation from The Entrance Men's Shed.

A collaborative effort to create an important community event!!