Jun 3, 2023 | Uncategorised
The Ashmore and Parkwood Heights Joey Scouts Unit requested a visit to our facility to enable the Joey Scouts to present the veterans and members with hand painted “Thankyou” cards as a tribute to their service. Joey Scouts is a youth group catering tp youth between the ages of 5 – 8. Their program is dedicated to helping youth to fulfill their highest potential. as part of their program they would like to instill a sense of gratitude in their youth, and most importantly , they would like their youth to be grateful to the people who have fought for their freedom.
Their leader, Michelle Boucher and several helpers subsequently visited our site on Thursday June 1st, and the Joey Scouts were shown around the Men’s Shed and grounds, (after being given some strict ‘No-Touch’ rules) by our Vice President Kevin Roberts, assisted by Graham Huggins and Andy Bryson. The youngsters seemed to enjoy the visit immensely and asked many questions, some of which showed they were indeed paying attention to Kevin’s explanations. After the tour finished, the Joey’s then presented Kevin, Graham and Andy with the hand painted Thankyou Cards.
Joey Scouts on the lawn.
Kevin laying down the rules.
Sensible questions.
Quiet attention.
Ashmore and Parkwood Heights Joey Scouts Unit visiting our facility.
Jun 3, 2023 | Uncategorised
AMSA Regional Conference 10th May 2023
The South East Qld. Regional Conference called by the AMSA was hosted by the Pimpama Men’s Shed and attended by some 70 shedders, including Frank, Bill, Bob and Andy from our Veterans’ Support Group Men’s Shed, Nerang. We were warmly greeted with a hot breakfast and a treated to music from the folk group “The Offcuts”.
The conference was opened with two songs from the Pimpama State School “Vi-Vo Voices Choir” and the young children were very good.
Several subjects were discussed throughout the day, and a summary is listed below.
- SHED WELLBEING PROGRAM – HOLIDAY NOTICE BOARD; WELFARE OFFICER/TEAM; CONTACT DISENGAGED MEMBERS (INJURED/ILL); FAMILY MEMBER ILLNESS; BIRTHDAY NOTIFICATION; TRIPS OF SPECIAL INTEREST; ALLOCATE DAYS FOR “SOFT” ACTIVITIES; SPECIAL INTEREST TALKS (LEGAL WILLS , CHEMIST RE- DRUGS etc.); NEW & OLD MEMBERS TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES – LIFE HISTORY; DOWN TOOLS DAY; REGISTER OVER 65’s FOR “MY AGED CARE”.
- SHED ACTIVITIES – XMAS PARTY; WEEKLY COOKED LUNCHES; SHED PROJECTS; INDUCTIONS FOR MACHINERY; COMPUTER GROUP.
- FUND RAISING – BUNNINGS BBQS; FIREWOOD SALES; CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE; REPAIR/MANUFACTURE FURNITURE TO ORDER; RAFFLES; GRANTS.
- SHED FACILITIES- WEBSITE; GARDEN; VEHICLE; LUNCHROOM; WOODWORKING; METALWORK; PAINTING.
Most sheds seemed to have the same concerns, namely – getting and keeping members, fund raising, running costs and member welfare. We were treated to morning tea and a delicious lunch provided by the local QCWA. Overall, an interesting exercise that needs to be scheduled more often.
A welcoming serenade by the “Off Cuts” folk group.
A welcoming hot breakfast of bacon and egg rolls.
The talented “Vi-Vo Voices” Pimpama State School children’s choir.
The discussion groups.
Our hosts Pimpama Men’s Shed.
Inside the Pimpama Men’s Shed.
May 27, 2023 | Uncategorised
Army BBQ Treat
Tuesday 9th May saw the long awaited treat of the LWC from Kokoda Barracks at Canungra cooking a delicious BBQ for our members at the Shed. We were privileged to have the CO Wendy Say and several of her staff attend, and the ex catering officer Jim did the honours with the cooking. After the delicious meal, a surprise birthday cake was presented to Wendy Say, as the date just happened to coincide with her birthday. Wendy was indeed surprised, and we all had a piece of the very rich Black Forest cake.
We have enjoyed a close association with the LWC, since crafting a conference table and matching coffee table commissioned at their request using some beautiful blue gum timber felled on the LWC land some time ago. The latest commission for them is a matching pair of honour boards, as well as refurbishing some 100 “swagger sticks” for an upcoming course at LWC.
Wendy Say’s surprise birthday cake.
Shed members and Army guests enjoying BBQ lunch
LWC CO Wendy Say and staff
Honour boards for LWC.
Mar 18, 2023 | Uncategorised
A private project by Andy Bryson has just been completed, that of a custom designed coffee table for his lounge room. This table has been on the back burner for some 18 months, but was finally begun during the Christmas/New Year quiet period. The design inspiration came from one of the Parker furniture range of the 1960’s, and was adapted to suit Andy’s lounge room requirements.
Tassie Oak was the chosen timber, and the various pieces were cut from lengths of 190mm x 19mm boards purchased from the timber storage container. The component pieces of sides, ends, legs, shelf and top were then cut and shaped, followed by many hours of hand sanding to get the desired finish. The next step was to assemble the table, using only biscuit joints and waterproof glue and several arms and hands to juggle the pieces into position before clamping.
Once the glue had set, final shaping and many more hours of sanding commenced, starting with 80 grit, and finishing with 400 grit, resulting in a glass smooth finish ready for clear lacquering. The last coat of clear lacquer had hardener added to it to give the table a longer lasting surface. This is an example of a private project that any shed member can undertake with the help and advice of shed members who can and do contribute their many years of experience in various fields.
Parker table design inspiration
Component pieces of the coffee table.
Assembly and clamping.
Final shape after sanding, ready for clear finish.
After final coat of clear.
Finished project in the lounge room.
Mar 18, 2023 | Uncategorised
The shed’s 6″ jointer machine was recently damaged by one of the cutting blade screws snapping off, resulting in 8 more blades being damaged along with damage to the two shoulder guides. This event required dismantling the jointer, replacing the damaged components and reassembling it, but not without a lot of head scratching by Kevin, Bill and Wozza before finally getting it back in working order.
This episode turned our thoughts to upgrading the jointer to a more versatile machine with a wider 10″ planing head and dual function as both a jointer and thicknesser. After consultation with the executive committee, the decision was made to buy the new machine and sell the old one. It was then arranged for Peter Cameron to up pick the new machine in Brisbane, and delivering it to the shed where it is now installed and operating. Kevin has given a group demonstration to members on the operation procedures, to be followed by individual training before members use it for the first time.
Old 6″ jointer
New 10″ jointer/thicknesser
