We recently had an enquiry from a Port Melbourne resident regarding making a custom designed  cabinet to complement their existing furniture.

The detail and finish required a level of skill and expertise much finer than our usual projects and Tim Smith put his hand up to take on the challenge. After a “meeting of the minds” with Peter Greenacre the two of them decided on the best way to produce the required result – the cabinet had a  20 degree angle on the front edging.

The finished article was excellent and the resident was extremely happy with the result:

“Thank you Bob and Tim for organising and building of our bespoked cabinet. It is just as we imagined and perfectly crafted.

Thanks again

John & Elaine Folino“

In appreciation John made a $100 donation to the Shed.

Great craftsmanship and an excellent result Tim (“with a little help from his friends”).

Message from Kathleen Wesley at Verto:

My name is Kathleen and I am working alongside the federal government and I work from Verto Employment.

We’re working on a new federal Government program providing discounted training for mature age workers.

Verto is a not for profit organisation backed by the federal Government offering discounted training and free employment support for mature aged adults.

We also do career support and redundancy support.

I would love to get some exposure about the financial support that is available for individuals.

I just thought I would flag this with you as you may know of any mature aged (45-70) need support in regards to employment support options in areas of Port Phillip.

https://www.verto.org.au/what-we-do/skills-checkpoint?fbclid=IwAR1Z2Ygz4-qdKR_sLCqTjyfJ93Q9-keTqjfxfwITi0p_-t25cFgtY0eczR0

Here is some extra info about the Skills and Training Incentive:

Government website: https://www.jobs.gov.au/skills-and-training-incentive

On the news recently: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2081430801952050

Many thanks for helping this small but mighty not for profit organisation.

So if this is something that interests you, get in touch with Kathleen on 0455 936 252 or KWesley@verto.org.au

Having been established for more than six years and with over 80 members the Port Phillip Men’s Shed (PPMSA) expanded its activities in 2018 to allow for the inclusion of women members. Women who are keen to become involved in wood working, metal working, gardening or general hobbies may now join the PPMSA as Associate Members.

Valda working on her picture frames

Membership is easy, simply fill out a membership application form and pay the required membership fee. You may then attend our mixed workshop sessions currently held on Fridays from 9am to 1pm. Additional mixed sessions may become available in 2019. Various training workshops will also be held in 2019; picture framing, lead lighting, welding etc.

New members are required to complete a simple safety induction prior to undertaking any workshop activities and technical support and assistance is available. Current women members have completed a range of exciting activities in 2018; building a set of bunks, picture framing, chopping boards, etc.

Mixed group in five week course 2018

If you are interested in joining please feel free to contact any of the following:

President: Bob Small 0417 067 319
Secretary: Tony Donohue 0412 105 464
Workshop Mgr Rod Hall 0409 055 885
Treasurer: Justin Gates 0432 427 029
Membership: Stephen Ingrouille 0432 390 018

Or simply drop into one of our Friday mixed sessions at our Shed located at Southport Uniting Church, 319 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne and ask to speak with the supervisor on duty. Sessions recommence on Friday 1 February 2019.

Voices of the South Side (VoSS) collaborated with the Port Phillip Men’s Shed to run a five week introduction to woodwork course with men and women from the VoSS program.

Mixed group in five week course 2018

Twelve people including the two VoSS facilitators signed up as Men’s Shed members with past woodwork experience varying greatly amongst the group. Nine people from VoSS attended regularly with several participants opting to attend the Men’s Shed on general operating days rather than as a part of a course.

The aim of the course was to link VoSS participants to the Men’s Shed to reignite past interest in woodwork, teach people new skills and provide a new pathway into community participation that could be pursued independently. Completed projects included picture frames, a stand for a statue, a coffee table, wooden box for a saxophone mouthpiece and four people making chopping boards.

Feedback received at the completion of the course was very favourable.
Participants were highly satisfied with their experience of the course and their expectations were more than met. A couple had overestimated their skills and thought that they might be bored but the course allowed people who were more advanced to pursue their own projects with enough supervisors on board to facilitate this.
Group members felt very supported by the supervisors and felt that they were patient and flexible.

Due to the success of this pilot program we are considering further programs in 2019 and if we decide to proceed we will be looking for members to assist. The most likely session times will be Mondays 1pm to 3pm

Further information will be provided in February.

Regards
Bob Small
President
Port Phillip Men’s Shed

Check out the great work done by the Men’s Shed.

Need to move a stack of easels, pick up that new couch, or take a load of garden cuttings to the transfer station? After some great work by Rod, Justin, Rick, Bob and others, the Port Phillip Men’s Shed trailer is now operational.

The trailer is a 6×4 box trailer, with fixed bars at the front (as you see in the photo). The electrics / lights have been replaced, and it is better than new.

The trailer light plug has been ingeniously designed to plug into either a round or flat connector on the car.

A pouch is used at the back, into which you can slot the number plate of your car (print one on your printer, or do one by hand).

To use the trailer, get in touch with:

• Justin Gates 0432 427 029
• Bob Small 0417 067 319

This week’s edition of the Diversity magazine contains an excellent photo and article promoting our Men’s Shed. The article focussed on one of our members, Dermot Avon who is a Senior Sergeant at South Melbourne Police station. Dermot has been heavily involved in the construction and preparation of our Men’s Shed garden. During the construction he enlisted the help of some of his country colleagues who obtained the railway sleepers we used, provided the hay for the garden beds and also the sheep droppings used for manure.

 The article reinforces our primary reason for having a men’s shed organisation and the concept of getting men together to engage and socialise in a friendly, stress free environment.

We were recently fortunate to receive a grant to purchase a laptop and colour printer for the Shed.  These have now been purchased and we have also obtained a WiFi modem and internet access.

These are available for Shed members to use and are located in the front meeting room at the SPUC Shed. Members wishing to use these during normal Shed hours (Friday 9am to 1pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm) should contact the on-duty supervisor who can arrange to logon. Please exercise discretion when using this equipment and inappropriate websites are not permitted.

Details regarding training for members on basic computer skills will be distributed in the next month or so.

We have a great opportunity to raise sizeable funds for the Shed. This involves assembling and installing a display sign for the Elwood St Kilda Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

The work requires 3-4 persons for about 3-4 hours, assembly is fairly easy with prefabricated panels and hex head screws. Installation requires two holes 800-1000mm deep filled with quickset cement.

The work can be completed on any day of the week.

If you are interested in participating as part of your contribution to the Shed please text Bob Small on 0417 067 319. You will be advised when arrangements are finalised.

If you are interested in helping out please contact Bob on:

Email: bob.mensshed@bigpond.com

Mobile : 0466 525 910