Sep 7, 2023 | Uncategorised
30 Year Men’s Shed Anniversary.
Wednesday 6th September 2023 was the anniversary of the establishment of the first Men’s Shed in South Australia. Since then, the idea has spread around the world, and now there are approximately 3,000 sheds in 12 countries. An open Day celebration was hosted by the Labrador Men’s Shed, with six other sheds from the region participating and displaying the wares and activities of their sheds. The main guest speaker was Maxine Chaseling, who was responsible for the original idea and impetus for establishing the first shed in Goolwa, South Australia. Additional guest speakers included Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, Leader of the Queensland Opposition, David Crisafulli MP, and Sam O’Connor MP for Bonney.
Len Thomson, Secretary Labrador Shed, welcomed everyone, and invited all to stay after the guest speeches and have a look through the Labrador shed and the other shed displays, and then to enjoy the lunch provided by the local QCWA and shed BBQ.
Our display, showing a PowerPoint slideshow and brochures, was manned by Frank Bosio and Andy Bryson, and Members Ken Bridges and Tony Scroope also attended. The event was well attended by both shedders and public, and Labrador shed had a shuttle bus service to the car park at the Tigers Football Club carpark for visitor parking. Channel 9 news filmed a segment which was aired on the local news that night. Labrador shed ran a well organised event and are to be congratulated on a successful day.
Open day marquees.
Labrador Men’s Shed activities board.
Principal guest speaker Maxine Chaseling.
Guest speaker Mayor Tom Tate.
Guest speaker David Crisafulli, Leader of the Qld. Opposition.
Open day site.
Frank and Tony.
Frank and Andy with our display.
Burleigh Shed display.
Artistic timber items.
Aug 26, 2023 | Uncategorised
Long Tan Day Service (Vietnam Veterans Day) – 18/08/2023.
The Long Tan Day (Vietnam Veterans Day) service at our premises at 18 Leagues Club Drive, Nerang, on Friday 18th August went smoothly, aided by good weather, despite the forecast of rain. Attendance was similar to last year, with approximately 60 to 70 people, including Federal, State and Local government representatives, as well as a contingent from the Land Warfare Centre Canungra. Federal government was represented by Scott Burgess, standing in for Angie Bell MP, although Angie was able to come for a short stay just as the service was finishing. State government was represented by Meghan Scanlon MP, state minister for housing, and Local Government division 8 by Cr. Bob LaCastra.
QLD. Branch President, Peter Handy, welcomed everyone, and then Padre Gary Stone gave blessings for the service. Sub branch Secretary/Treasurer Peter Cameron read a short prologue of the Long Tan battle, followed by Sub branch President Andy Bryson reading a summary of the valuable contribution by the RAAF in the form of two Iroquois helicopters delivering much needed ammunition to the battle zone at a crucial time.
Lt. Col. Wendy Say, CO LWC Canungra, gave an appropriate address on the significance of the battle, and the service continued with wreath laying, Last Post, Ode, Rouse, NZ and Australian anthems, along with the appropriate flag raisings. After the service, all were invited to partake in an assorted sandwich luncheon (catered for by Clancy Catering Nerang), and a cool or hot drink of their choice.
As with all these events, then came time for our volunteer members to pack up the marquees and chairs and put them away in storage until the next event, which will be our Christmas party on the 6th December.
Padre Gary Stone giving service blessings.
Service attendees.
Angie Bell’s representative Scott Burgess.
Lt. Col. Wendy Say. CO LWC Canungra.
Meghan Scanlon MP, State member for Gaven and Housing Minister.
Peter Cameron, Sub Branch Sec./Treas.
Diedre, representing the Nurses.
Zeke Wuff, representing the Navy.
Don Lees, representing New Zealand.
All flags raised, representing all three services.
Angie Bell speaking with Bob Graves.
Lt. Col. Wendy Say speaking with Peter Cameron and Andy Bryson.
Attendees enjoying lunch and a chat.
All wreaths laid.
Jun 23, 2023 | Uncategorised
RAAF Museum Amberley
Men’s Shed bus trip.
A chartered bus trip to the RAAF Museum at Amberley Air Force base on Thursday June 22nd was organised for the members of the Men’s Shed on June 22nd. Leaving at 8am sharp, we arrived at Amberley well before our 9.30 am tour time, only to have to wait for our guide Brittany to arrive and process us through the base security system and receive our visitors passes. The waiting time was not wasted however, as there was a photo opportunity just outside the front gate, that being a beautifully presented F-111 , quite a sight.
We then reboarded the bus and we’re escorted through the base to the Museum, where we were given a briefing on what to see and do while there. There were four hangars containing various aircraft and memorabilia, ranging from a WW1 Sopwith Camel to the recently retired F-111. A short video was shown featuring the F-111’s features, including the “dump and burn” party trick and the emergency ejection of the entire cockpit.
There were many fixed wing aircraft, but also several rotary wing, ranging from the ubiquitous Bell 47, or Sioux as it was known in the Air Force, to the Black Hawk, demonstrating the huge advances in size and technology. All the aircraft were in pristine condition, a great credit to the museum staff. An adjacent open hangar contained a well preserved twin radial engined Caribou, one of the versatile work horses of the military, and this aircraft looked like it was ready to fly again.
Once we had seen all we desired, the bus took us to the Walloon pub for a refreshing meal and drink and a chance to sit and talk about our experience. A short one hour’s drive saw us back at the Shed, having had a most enjoyable outing away from the usual shed activities.
Black Hawk helicopter.
Chartered bus.
F-111 at base front gate.
Canberra Bomber.
Sioux helicopter (Bell 47).
Museum entry.
Boeing C-17.
Radial engined Caribou.
Pilatus Porter.
F-111 cockpit capsule after ejection.
Sopwith Camel, WW1 bi-plane.
Dakota C47. (Douglas DC3).
Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter.
Discussing the exhibits, waiting for lunch.
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.
