Bring a mate

AMSA Abstracts

Three abstracts were submitted today from the Central Coast Shed Cluster Inc for consideration to be included in the Australian Men's Shed Association Conference in Brisbane 21-23 August.


Social Enterprise  - A Shed Objective?
John Roberts
Social enterprises are social purpose driven organisations which apply business modelling and market-based strategies to achieve a social goal. As an existing business, Sheds have infrastructure and available resources already in place to support the development of a social enterprise.




A Tool for Social Inclusion
Darren Maxwell
This paper explores how Australian mens sheds can play a key role in the early
strengthening of healthy masculine creativity and the development of positive mental health
outcomes for young Australian males.


Coastal Innovations
Kim Hopkins
This paper explores organisational innovations that have been developed and structured to build a stronger community on the Central Coast. Strong links have been forged between the Mens Sheds, the Cluster organisation, the Men's Interagency and close association with service providers, funding bodies and other community organisations

Gwandalan View Club

The Gwandalan VIEW Club invited John Sharples, President of the Central Coast Shed Cluster Inc to address their meeting.

He was invited to speak on "The development of the Men's Shed Movement and teh resultant social and mental impacts on men's health".

The talk was well received by the group.

Project Funding - Family & Community Violence

News from the Office of Women’s Policy in the NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet just to hand is that the Cluster has received a grant of $50,000 for 2 years to conduct a program focusing on family violence.  The Cluster is currently running a program concentrating on providing access to Sheds for disabled and socially isolated men and this new grant will allow an extension of the work already started to include elements addressing family violence.

Congratulations all involved in preparing the submission.

Because of this news, the Shed Cluster finds itself in a ground-breaking position once again. It can be observed that for the Department of Women to fund a male orientated organisation with the distinct purpose of tackling family violence is not a common gesture, but you would argue, one that has high merit. Men can be part of the solution.

This grant was announced a day before the Suicide Prevention Forum and given speakers at the Forum spoke of Family Violence as a trigger in some cases of suicide it came at an opportune time.

Article in Arena

This article appeared in the Autumn edition of Arena Magazine
 a publication of the Benevolent Society.

Free Hearing Tests at your shed

H

Hearing Australia has conducted hearing tests at Bateau Bay Men's Shed and The Entrance Men's Shed. It certainly provided an opportunity for blokes to hear about healthy hearing and have a simle test that can confirm what level hearing may be affected. Follow up recommendations are entirely at shedders discretion.

Book a session now on 131 797

Men's Shed Expo Maitland

click here for information

Men's Suicide Prevention Forum

The Cluster was very well represented at the Male Suicide Prevention Forum held  at the Central Coast Leagues Club.  The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Cluster Development Worker attended the Forum to gain valuable information on research into the reasons why men are inclined to consider suicide.

Papers presented by the Coroner, a local GP, Paramedic, Police, a lawyer and Professor John McDonald from UWS and President of the Australasian Men's Health Forum, provided information on, and asked the difficult questions about, suicide prevention strategies for men.

Kincumber Men's Shed manned a stall in both the afternoon session for service providers and the evening forum to which the community were welcome.

 Central Coast Region leads the research into suicide prevention, and men’s suicide in particular and it is important that the Men’s Shed movement is a partner in assisting with this ongoing work. Members of the Cluster executive provided support for the Men's Suicide Support Forum. Çommunity Development Worker, Kim Hopkins was interviewed onstage about the role of Mens Sheds in addressing social isolation among men on the Central Coast.

Kincumber 4th Birthday

Kincumber Men's Shed celebrated their 4th Birthday today with members of the shed, guests from other sheds, representative from the three levels of government, local service groups and sponsors.

Deborah O'Neill addresses

assembled members and guests.

The speeches were kept to a minimum by the careful oversight of the Master of Ceremonies, Peter Jessup. Plenty of time to recieve some grant funding, thank sponsors and celebrate significant anniversaries of both the shed and some of its long standing members.

An excellent celebration of the achievements of the members of Kincumber Men's Shed.

Flood Relief at The Entrance

The Entrance Men's Shed were out doing their bit raise funds for the Queensland Flood Relief.  They were well prepared with new eskys a large marquee and a well trained team to cook up the sausages, butter bread and serve customers. 

Unfortuantaely the crowds were down on the day due to the intermittent drizzle. There were many performers on the day, all donating their time from rockers to country and even a little opera.

The Entrance Mens Shed set out to donate all profits from the day to The Salvation Army for Queensland Flood Relief. They were successful in raising $400 for this purpose. 

Well done by the crew from The Entrance Men's Shed !!

2322 Men's Shed opening

2322 Men’s Shed Grand Opening Ceremony

 

The Welcome address was given by Wanaruah People Elder, Dawn Field.

John Bell watches on as the project

he has worked on for many
 years comes to fruition.

This was professionally followed by the Master of Ceremonies  Leigh Maughan who introduced the following dignitaries:

• Councillor Sharon Claydon – Representing Sharon Grierson, Federal Member for Hunter/Newcastle.
• Councillor Clayton Barr, Representing Kerry Hickey, State Member for the Hunter.
• Councillor Mike Jackson, Deputy Mayor Newcastle City Council
• Councillor Stephen Rudd, Deputy Mayor Maitland City Council.
• Councillor Phillip Penfold Maitland City Council.
• Councillor Peter Garnham, Maitland City Council.
• Mr John Chin, Secretary Manager Hexham Bowling Club.

Leigh then gave a talk on his work with the Prostate Cancer Alliance.

Councillor Mike Jackson addressed guests and members on Council’s commitment to the Men Shed movement.

John Bell President/Secretary 2322 Men’s Shed Association was introduced and spoke about development of the shed.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony declared the 2322 Men's Shed Officially open.

This was followed by a Barbeque and light refreshments !!

Have a look at the news item and photos

 from the NSW Mens Shed Association.

 

shed roundup

For current information please visit the shed blogs accessible

from the centralcoastmenssheds.com hompage.

Bateau Bay Men's Shed - Members 76. Tuesday/Thursday bigger attendance days than Wednesday. Disability clients about 8-10. Seniors week – 3 BBQ’s planned “Bring a mate”. Sustainability grant – missed out on application.

Kincumber Men's Shed – 4^th birthday this month. KMS featuring on ABC Gardening Australia sometime early part of 2011.

Gosford Men's Shed – BBQ once a month at Officeworks. Bicycle Officer from Gosford City Council approached John about the bicycle project.

The Entrance Men's Shed –

Community Builder’s partnership $20,000. About 20 members a day. Monday’s and Friday’s open.

Awaiting for Evelopment Application approval to commence extension

Belmont Men's Shed: Meeting today. 

Peninsula Men’s Shed

Marie Andrews provided $16,000 for the shed. Looking at providing innovating ways of using the sheds.  Programs being developed include aMen’s group aimed at “commuters” 7.00pm-9.00pm and a  “Dad’s in Sheds group- Saturday 10.00am to 12 noon."

Terrigal Men'sShed - Members  20. Open Thursday only.

Expanded slightly – purchased shipping container. Dusty processes take place in the shipping container. Band saw needed. Still setting up shadow boards.

San Remo Community Mens Shed seeking advice on insurance cover and incorporation

Mobile Men’s Shed: Terms and conditions be developed for Shed’s/organisation wanting to borrow the mobile shed. Review of procedures.

2322 Men's Shed –  have funding for a mobile shed. They are incorporated, they have funds and insurance cover.

Swansea Men's Shed – going really well. Roof on, no ceiling on. Construction fences down. Every Tuesday morning from 9.00am work in progress, everyone welcome. Concerns about comments on last page of NSW Men’s Shed Association 1st newsletter. 

Better Health self-management

Therese Wellsmore  of Better Health self-management

provides the Cluster Committee with information about Better Health self-management.

This group is for people with long term health issues and get peer support to help them manage their chronic condition. Six week courses to assist people achieve in setting and achieving goals and provide strategies to help with management of condition.

Courses held at Mangrove Mountain, Long Jetty, Wyong, Woy Woy, Kincumber.

Handouts were given to all Sheds for display on notice boards.

Job Centre Australia

Job Centre Australia were invited to have discussions with the Cluster Committee. Brian Yates, General Manager, Operations and Tony Meredith,  trainer spoke about interest in men’s Shed and possible partnership for their disability clients. Their aim is to prepare clients ready for work  .i.e. integration with groups like socialising and communication. Disabilities range from physical, mental health, autism.

The goal of Job Centre Australia is to look at feasibility of clients attending men’s sheds.

The Cluster Committee is working with Job Centre Australia to develop training, sponsorship and procedures that would develop a mutually beneficial project.

Job Centre has just purchased Bateau Bay Golf range where their clients are working.

Job Centre has 4 offices on the central coast and 3 in Newcastle

Cluster Committee

The Committee of the Central Coast Shed Cluster meet each month on the first Wednesday.

Often, invited guests speak with the group to highlight important issues or relevant to Men's Sheds and their members on the Central Coast this week the group was addressed by -

Job Centre Australia – Brian Yates, Manager & Tony Meredith, trainer who spoke about interest in men’s Sheds and possible partnership for their disability clients. Their aim is to get clients ready for work - .i.e. integration with groups like socialising and communication. Disabilities range from physical, mental health, autism.

Job Centre can offer training and support for sheds currently dealing with disability clients and is looking at feasibility of clients attending men’s sheds in a structured program. Job Centre has just purchased Bateau Bay Golf range where their clients are working. Job Centre has 4 offices on the central coast and 3 in Newcastle.

Therese Wellsmore  – Better Health self-management

This group is for people with long term health issues and get peer support to help them manage their chronic condition. Six week courses to assist people achieve in setting and achieving goals and provide strategies to help with management of condition. Courses held at Mangrove Mountain, Long Jetty, Wyong, Woy Woy, Kincumber.

Handouts given to all Sheds for display on notice boards.

Therese has offered to speak at sheds where there is an interest in the programme or shedders would like to learn more about what is available.