| President's Report
October 2026
October was one of the biggest months on the shed calendar, with the Open Day, the Annual General Meeting and the Garage Sale all held within a fortnight. Thank you to every member who gave their time across the month. It was a terrific effort from the whole shed.
Welfare
Members were advised at the 26 October briefing of the passing of Hillary Sansoni in July. The shed was only made aware recently, and our condolences go to Hillary's family and friends.
Lynden Matheson is away at present after having some work done on his knee. We wish Lynden a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back at the shed.
Open Day
The EMS Open Day on Saturday 10 October was a great success, with around 100 members of the public and 70 shed members coming along, as well as our local State MP. Thank you to Leon for leading the organisation and reporting back on the day, and to all the team leaders who opened up their workshops and activities to our visitors.
Following the Open Day, the woodworkers asked for some help to set the Bike Shed and Members Lounge back up. Thanks to the members who lent a hand.
Annual General Meeting
Our twelfth Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 12 October following the member briefing, with 94 members in attendance. The 2025/26 Annual Activity and Financial Report was adopted, and it shows an active, supportive and vibrant club in a sound financial position. Thank you to Alan Lyall for preparing the report and chairing the elections, and to everyone who contributed to it.
The executive positions were filled unopposed, with John Skinner as Vice President, Alan Lyall as Secretary, Neil McCoy as Treasurer and myself continuing as President. The meeting agreed to keep seven ordinary committee positions, and Ian Dwyer, Ged Doyle, Leon Higgins, Julian Grusovin, Charlie Ball, Chris Sanders and Rick Nayler were appointed. A warm welcome to Rick, who joins the committee this year, and my thanks to all the committee members for putting their hands up again. A special thank you also to Lynden Matheson, who stood down from the committee this year, for his past service to the shed.
The annual member subscription for 2027 remains unchanged at $250, with the motion carried 92 votes to 2. Thank you to John Cann for explaining to the meeting how our fee came about and how it compares with other sheds. The shed receives no ongoing financial support from any other organisation, and member fees cover about a third of the cost of running the shed each year, with the rest coming from the fundraising efforts of our members.
Garage Sale
The Garage Sale on Saturday 24 October was another outstanding day. Neil McCoy advised that we made sales of $17,500 on the day, with around $2,000 still to come from pre and post sales. A big thank you to David Aplin and the team leaders for the organisation, to Neil for keeping track of the takings, and to every member who helped out across the weekend.
To thank members for their efforts, a free sausage sizzle was held at the shed on Wednesday 28 October.
Events
- Max Lee reported back on another very successful Bunnings BBQ. Thanks to Max and the team who helped on the day.
- The October dine out on Tuesday 13 October was held at Golden Hills Brewery, Diamond Creek. Thanks again to John Tenkaten for the organisation.
- Daryl Morrow updated members on the Bendigo Bank Golf Day, and the shed will put together a team to enter.
- Alan Lyall, Chris Sanders and I represented the shed at the VMSA AGM on Wednesday 21 October.
- Jazz by the Green and the end of month Sundowners were held on Friday 30 October. Thanks to Ian for organising.
- The Fishing group has started up with 18 people showing interest in the activities. A charter boat trip is planned for next November. Thanks to Ken Houston for organising this activity.
Coming Up
- Raffle tickets. Books of raffle tickets are available for members from 8:30am at the shed. Help is also needed at the raffle table in Eltham Town Square next week, so please see Leon.
- Diamond Valley Big Band cabaret night, Friday 6 November. Please see Ian Dwyer.
- Caravan and cabin trip to Moama, 9 to 13 November, at the BIG4 Moama Holiday Park. Colin McGregor has reported on the numbers attending and the events he has planned. Please let Colin know if you will join the Wednesday evening river cruise and dinner.
- Eltham Rotary Festival, Saturday 14 November. Leon has updated members on the requirements for the shed's stall, and John Skinner advised that no assistance is needed at the fireworks display this year.
- Lou's Lunch, Wednesday 18 November.
- Beatles Tribute Concert, Friday 20 November at the Greensborough RSL. The show is now sold out, with 24 members from the shed attending.
- November Dine out, Tuesday 24 November at 6:00pm at the Bundoora Hotel, 49 Plenty Road, Bundoora, with their normal pub menu and prices. Please note this is the fourth Tuesday of the month due to a clash with other activities. Please text John Tenkaten before Tuesday 17 November.
- City Bike Ride, Tuesday 24 November. Please see Alan Lyall.
- Jazz by the Green, Friday 27 November at the Eltham Bowls Club, with the end of month Sundowners also on the last Friday. Contact Ian Dwyer if you would like to join the Jazz group.
- Remembrance Day. The shed will be involved in two events: the 100 year anniversary at the Kangaroo Ground memorial, where we will set up and provide a BBQ for attendees, and the Dawn Service, where we will help set up and lay a wreath. Thank you to Terry Phillips, Peter Thompson, Charlie Ball and Max Lee for their organisation.
- Caravan trip to Warrnambool, March 2027. Please see David Aplin for details.
See you at the Shed.
Bill Cooper
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