Farmers’ Market – Last Farmers’ market raised $301 which was a good effort considering the awful weather. The previous market in the Mall raised $500 plus $200 for marshalling. This market continues to be the best performing of them all. We have been told that we will be doing this market every month instead of bi-monthly at present.
Community Market – Raised $102. At least it covered the newspaper ad. No outside stall holders and I don’t blame them as it was a shocker of a day. We didn’t even have a heater!
IGA Supermarket and Haintz Pharmacy – These two businesses support BECS by a token scheme (IGA) and a rebate on prescriptions (Haintz). Members and their families are encouraged to support these businesses. Both these businesses continue to add small amounts to our bank account.
New Members – We have had a number of new members join in recent days. Please make them welcome and get to know them. Many have interesting stories to tell. It is encouraging to see new members actively involved and taking the initiative in projects. A Health and Safety assessment has been developed by Ron L. This will continue to be rolled out and enhanced if required.
BBQ Helpers – Thank you to all who have helped on the bbq’s this month. We appreciate the regular volunteers but for newer members please put your hand up to help as this might enable someone else to have a week off. The bbq trailer is one of our most successful money making ventures and our good reputation has been gained through the hard work of this small group of volunteers. We also need volunteers for our monthly market. This is not a difficult job as it often only entails just keeping an eye on things. The bbq team are planning to set up a table and chairs for people to sit and eat and hopefully will be underway with the finer weather.
New BECS clothing – We have a new supply of shirts, jackets, hats etc. Please see Denis C if you are interested in ordering some of these items.
Ute update – No further details. STOP PRESS! Great news we have a new ute! I don’t know what I was expecting but was blown away with the donation from Ballarat Holden of a 2002 Rodeo Twin Cab ute., V6, on gas, with canopy and heavy duty tow bar. At this stage we are planning to keep the old ute, at least while it is still registered. The new ute has a reduced carrying capacity in terms of load but more comfort for the passengers. We may need to investigate the purchase or construction of a 7x5 trailer. The ute has been measured for signage and when completed we will have an official handover. Thanks again Ballarat Holden!
Wet Area upgrade – Has started in earnest. Not really Earnest but Doug S and John H. David P has also moved some wiring and we plan to work on the switchboard, new plugs for fridges and hot water heater, hardwire the stove and tiling on the floor. This is all part of funding from Springfest last year and thanks to Ballarat Rotary Club.
Workshop – Has again been busy – Graeme M making cradles etc, Lynton has made a chook house to go with the cubby house for the Art Gallery. This has been delivered to Mt Clear school for painting before being delivered to the Art Gallery. We have also worked on some footrests for people with calf problems, and bookends for a lady.
Metal Work - Not sure what has been happening in the metalworking area but I think they are mentally preparing themselves to remove some studs from a block and drill out some broken studs!!
Nissen Hut Repair - This has been a long project but I’m sure in the long run it will be well worth it. We certainly would not have been able to get anywhere without the very very generous support of Coates Hire. The scissor lift has allowed us to replace the rusty iron on top of the roof, install framing and laserlight at both ends of the shed and begin to find the tiny leaks. Where water ends up is not necessarily where it begins. Thanks to Wayne, Len and Paul, David and others unknown to me but vital to this work. The photos below show the wet spots but here is the question – Is the wet spot on the mattress from the roof or from some other source? We need a volunteer to ascertain its origin.
Grass cutting – Thanks Ray and I presume Marj for cutting the grass a couple of times. Ray has not been 100% so a great effort.
Visits - We are having a visit early August from Loreto Sociology students. Everyone to be on their best behaviour , and next week some of the guys who are setting up a shed in Sebastopol will be paying us a visit. Half a dozen of us will have already had a visit to the Euroa Men’s Shed. This has 2 purposes – First is to pick up a wood lathe, this is to keep Ron happy, and secondly to visit the shed and see what they are doing.
Mens Health Week – At last month’s general meeting we had a talk by sleep specialist Dr Wayne Spring. He was booked in for an hour but stayed an extra half hour. Lots of questions and very informative ! In thanking him for coming he has said he would be happy to do a presentation for next year’s Men’s Health Week as I am sure we have a lot to learn.
Art Group – The Art group had a display at the Rug Up Ballarat festival at the Mining Exchange . It is amazing to see the talent of the works created by the members. When I dropped in the other day a few new faces were present. There is another art display for the Artisan Festival in August.
Smoking ceremony – Frank D was so impressed with the smoking ceremony that he thought he should get John E to instruct him how to make smoke. The only trouble was that it filled the shed for 2 days!
Photo on the right. Now these are real woodmen – don’t get between a man with a chainsaw and his tree. Thankfully the soup bus survived!
CGU Awards- We have put together an application to enter the CGU small business awards for 2014.
McCains Food Tasting – Will be from 21st August to 18th September on Thursday evenings. Please consider asking your family and friends as this is one of our major fund raisers which if fully attended brings in $3000. That a lot of sausages to cook guys!
Committee - We would like to express our gratitude to David Paton for the 9 long years he has been secretary for BECS. This is one of the jobs that you only see half of what he does. He has performed this task diligently and pedantically ( my comment) over this long time. David has nominated for a general Board position and we know he will still contribute to the shed in a different role from now on.
Doug Smith is also not seeking re-election. Doug is a quiet achiever and has undertaken many maintenance jobs for BECS over the years including this year supervising the water upgrade and is heavily involved in the wet area upgrade. For new nominees to the committee we wish you all the best, and for those who are unsuccessful we thank you for your willingness to contribute to the running of BECS.
