The PPMSA committee has recently reviewed the Code of Conduct applicable to all members. Please be guided accordingly.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Port Phillip Men’s Shed Association will always maintain an open-door policy and will not reject any person because of race, sex, disability, religion or age, although some special conditions may apply in certain circumstances.               

During any PPMSA endorsed activity members must:

Behave honestly and with integrity

Act with care and diligence

Treat everyone with respect and courtesy and without harassment

Comply with all applicable Australian laws

Comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given with authority by the PPMSA Committee

Maintain appropriate confidentiality

Disclose and take reasonable steps to avoid any conflict of interest (real or apparent)

Use PPMSA equipment and resources in a safe and proper manner; and

At all times behave in a way that upholds the PPMSA’s values, integrity and good reputation of the PPMSA.

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PPMSA Policy 002 Code of Conduct 190211

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

At the PPMSA AGM on 20/11/2018, a revised Statement of Purpose was approved.

This revision reiterates our focus on the provision of shed facilities to our members; recognises our acceptance of female members and strengthens our commitment to working closely within our community.

PPMSA – STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association shall be:

To promote men’s physical and mental health by being mindful of individual member’s needs and concerns and providing a range of fellowship activities and health seminars.

To encourage and promote positive social interaction amongst members by means of cooperative and supportive workshop practices, meetings and other social activities.

To encourage members to share their skills, knowledge and experience and to work in a cooperative spirit.

To liaise with community groups with the aim of providing support to individual or joint projects which assist the delivery of enhanced services to the general community.

To provide an opportunity for members who are keen to be involved in hands on experience in workshop activities by providing assistance and guidance to all participant levels.

Encourage the involvement of women associate members at selected workshop sessions or associated Shed activities.

To facilitate the provision of well equipped, practical, safe and inclusive workshop and general activity spaces.

To operate as a not for profit Association.

To remain as a non-political and non-sectarian Association.

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PPMSA Policy 001 Statement of Purpose 181120

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