Established in 2014, Eltham Men’s Shed is a community-based, not for profit, volunteer organisation that provides a safe and friendly environment where men can meet other men, develop new friendships and connect with their community. Our purpose is to support the health and well-being of our members.

The Shed offers a variety of social and practical activities throughout the week including Wood and Metal Workshops, Bicycle Restoration, Gardening, Technology and Photography. Members are able to work on projects at their own pace in their own time and in the company of other men.

Our weekly social gathering updates members on current activities, invites guest speakers and provides an opportunity to enjoy a cuppa and chat. A variety of other social activities are available including group travel, 4WD outings and dinners.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Australia Day celebrations in the Eltham Square will again be organised by the Lyons group, and we will be supporting them on the day by having a public stall and will put on a bit of LIVE music to entertain the crowd.  Leon will need some assistance from members with erecting the Gazebo and manning the stall and talking to the public.

After the dreadful events at Bondi the government have declared a National Day of Mourning on the 22^nd of January.  We will honour the day by flying the flag at half-mast.

We will also hold our first Shed lunch at the shed on the 22^nd. Thanks to Roula, Mark and Kevin for their contribution to this event.  Please ensure that those attending help where you can.

We have another Bunnings BBQ on the 25^th of January.  This will be organised by Chris Sanders, and he is looking for assistance in running the day.  Please contact Chris if you can help him with the event.

The next dine out is scheduled for the 10^th February so please contact John if you wish to attend. The event will be held at Panton Hill Hotel 633 Kangaroo Ground – St. Andrews Rd Panton Hill starting at 6:00.  As usual drivers are warned to be aware of the many kangaroos on the roads when retuning home.

The new door unit has been purchased and at my last look Chis Sanders and Alan Held were hard at work installing.  Many thanks!

Don’t forget subscriptions are due this month and Harry is trying to clear this task as soon as possible.

Also don’t forget to book if you are intending to join us on the Touring trip away in March.

December Highlights

We are now well into summer with the usual hot days and with Christmas behind us. Our Christmas function held on the 3rd of December was a great success.  The venue was the Eltham Community Centre, and the evening featured 3 bands who had the crowd dancing away which was wonderful to see. 

I must acknowledge the hard work that went into the event, particularly from Leon and Malcolm for setting up the venue and the sound stage.  The team of helpers the sponsors who provided raffle prizes and the Shed members and their families who attended made it a night to remember.  

Our Annual Raffle was drawn with the main prize going to a family member of one of our members.  This was a great result, and I must give a very big thankyou to everyone who made this possible.   It is very gratifying to see the support the shed enjoys in the community when members are out and about selling tickets. The donations of prizes make the raffle possible and make this event a success.  A big thank you to Colin McGregor and his family for the donation of the Opal as the first prize.

The Bike group had their Christmas lunch at the Greensborough hotel and the Woodies joined in the Sundowners night. Thanks to Jim Gundrum for organising the event. 

Thanks again to Peter Roden for organising the Hams again this year. Our family thoroughly enjoyed ours.  Ham sandwiches are still being enjoyed well into the new year! 

The new chairs are proving to be a big hit with members.  The old chairs have been donated to the Friends of Kangaroo Ground Memorial as part of our relationship with the RSL and avoids the need for our members to cart chairs around for services.  Some of the other chairs will go the Lalor shed to help them get going.  A big thank you to Ged Doyle and Mark White who did all the research and groundwork to acquire the new chairs.

Lapetite France Catering attended the shed on the 15^th of December and provided some tastings of their offerings.  Members who had to opportunity to have some of the foods were very complimentary.

The committee approved a new pizza oven to go in the existing location at the last meeting.  A suitable option was found very quickly, and we look forward to many great family Pizza days in the future.  Thanks to Ian Dwyer and the team for getting it done so quickly.

The Blue Man is clearly displayed out the front of the Shed.  This is part of the association with the Prostate Support Group who have now branded the Blue Man in the hope that this will be a national recognisable symbol to support their activities. Thanks again the Ged for all his work on this project. Thanks to the Metal shop and all the others who have contributed to this project.

A big thank you to Max and his team for running another successful BBQ at Bunnings on Christmas Eve.  The event was well supported by the public and was a good fundraising event for the Shed.

The Working Bee held on the 31^st of December was well attended by members of the Shed and we got through a significant amount of work.  Members will now have additional parking spots on Dansey’s paddock, and the garden is looking great.  Thanks to Bruce Roberts for organizing.

Thanks too to Jim Gundrum, Charlie Ball and team for building a new garden bed along the Piazza.  It is now over to the gardeners to fill the area with suitable shade plants!

All the very best for the New Year and I hope that it is a great one for all our members and their families.

Bill Cooper