For more information on the purpose of men’s sheds in general see the AMSA Webpage https://www.mensshed.org.au.
A successful shed does not happen by magic. In the ten years since this project began we have had many kinds of support from individuals, from local businesses, from bigger businesses, and from all levels of government. A sincere thanks to all.
Listed below are many of these:
- Year 1(2015): Gary and Helen Hastings let us use their shed to meet in when we didn't have anywhere else
- Year 2, 3: Bev Bloomfield allowed us to use her old boat shed while we got our act together
- Shoalhaven Council leased land to us to build a shed
- State and Federal governments provided some grants, plus we received personal donations from shed members, from Dick Smith Foundation, and from AMSA itself.
- 2018 - the new shed was built - with donations of the kitchen (New Image Kitchens)
- some floor tiles (Beaumont Tiles)
- safety fencing (TFN Fencing)
and various donations for purchase of tools from GP Bowling Club, Bendigo Bank, Dept of Vets Affairs.
- Other businesses and individuals that have been (and continue to be) very generous to us include Jim Wild Oysters, Greenwell Point Pub, Bryce at the GP Butchery, Pelican Rocks Cafe, Matt and Kirsten at the motor mechanics, the Pyree Hall, Riverview Gardens at Terara, and Coral Tree Lodge Caravan Park.
Where else but here can we mention the gone but not forgotten members (10 in ten years) who we like to think went out with a smile on their faces. In their last years they hopefully all experienced some moments of joy, achievement and satisfaction because of their involvement with the GP Men's Shed.
Some members prefer to be outside and work with plants - and help the community when they can. Fantastic!
We have all the tools needed to tackle pretty well any task, plus we have some expert wood-workers and metal workers to train and guide you as your skills grow.
We do jobs around town when we can without competing with local businesses.
Prepare to be surprised by the range of activities and skills in the metal room.
Have a look at the spire on the church next time you are in town. We did that.
Safety is paramount in any workspace - and needs constant attention to detail.
Training and supervision (usually one-on-one) are therefore vital parts of keeping everyone safe in the Shed.
Failing to plan is planning to fail - so let's not do that.
There is plenty of scope for anyone interested to get into detailed planning activities such as:
- Shed maintenance
- Financial plans
- Activity planning
- Rosters when needed
- Marketing plans
- Planning essential meetings
- Training plans
- Safety planning
- Supervisor planning
The Shed does not run itself - so again there are opportunities here to help out or to learn some new skills if you want to.
Incorporated bodies like GPMS have to meet certain reporting obligations. The Management Committee makes sure all the T's are crossed and the I's dotted.
We make metal things - and talk. Some unusual garden sculptures have been emerging lately from the metal room.....chooks, cows, pigs, dogs - mostly made up from scrap items which would otherwise be lost.
If you have some scraps you think we could use, please drop them to the Shed.
We make wooden things - and talk. The wood workshop is well equipped so items made or fixed have included indoor and outdoor furniture, kitchen items, garden structures, craft items and a myriad of others.
We collect cans and bottles - and talk. For several years now we have collected them from the local area as a source of income for the Shed.
This is a great way for anyone in the community to support the Men's Shed. Just drop your cans and bottles in our dog cage on the left just as you leave Greenwell Point.
No problem! Some members never use equipment in the shed, but still make great contributions to the life of the shed. But if you do want to learn to make things and fix things we have the experts who can guide you along the way.
No, you come when it suits you. About half our members come at least weekly, others less frequently. Our standard opening times are Tuesday and Thursday mornings - and that's when most members come. But some members come four or five days a week. It depends on what projects they are working on, and how much time they want to put into it.
Annual fee of $50 covers essential AMSA insurance, with about $20 going to the Shed. In addition, when you first join, we recommend getting a Shed shirt and Shed cap which cost about $60. Finally, an "attendance fee" (some members call it a "smoko fee") of $3 per day or maximum of $5 per week covers tea, coffee, biscuits and BBQ usually once a week on Thursday.
By all means. Just drop in to the Shed on a Tuesday or Thursday morning. Alternatively, send a text to 0414 369 256 and someone will call you back.
