BBQ Trailer - The bbq trailer has hardly had time to cool down between events this month and the next few weeks are just as busy. Ray and Marj did a Power FM bbq at Mesh and Masonry which raised $200.00. The Bridge Mall event made $465.00 plus $300.00 for marshalling and Springfest bbq made $890.00 with donations of $117.00 at the toy making tent. A total of $1972.00 The bbq helpers I have listed for Springfest include Alan A, Denis C, Neale McS, Richard G, Andrew C, Paul T, Rob F and John and Eileen E and Ray A at the mall. Also thanks to Ray D for carting the bbq trailer and to Ray and Marj who have done a number of Power FM events on their own, with another couple at Total Tools this month. Thanks to Marshalls Richard G, Neale ,Glen T, Paul T, Rob F, and John B.

Community Market – This month raised $194.00 The number of members setting up and working on the day was down. I know it’s been raised before (like last month) but being able to help every couple of months might allow one of the regulars to have a day off.

• The bbq team at Springfest
• Pencil Case making tent (thanks to Ballarat Fly Fishers Club )
• David P busy at it- no time for lunch break
• Queues of kids and parents from 10am till we stopped at 4pm
• The photo boards were a great hit

IGA Supermarket and Haintz Pharmacy – These two businesses support BECS by a token scheme at (IGA) and a rebate on prescriptions at (Haintz). Members and their families are encouraged to support these businesses. Both these businesses continue to add small amounts to our bank account. The running total for IGA is $2361.11. Small amounts each month add up to a significant total over time.

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. As an example Ian S actively involved in cleaning The Good Guys car park just a couple of days after joining.

This Years CHRISTMAS FUNCTION Will be held on Wednesday December 3 at Ballarat Golf Club , 1800 Sturt St Near Arch of Victory. Please put this date in your diaries and this event is for members, wives and partners. We also hope for another musical performance. NOT LONG TO GO!

New BECS clothing – We have a new supply of shirts, jackets, hats etc. Please see Denis C if you wish purchase some items.

Wet Area Upgrade - Is just about complete for the second month in a row. Tiling finished, painting done, notice board ready to hang and suggestions please on how we replace the curtains. Thanks needs to go to Doug S and John H. We continue to receive positive comments.

CONGRATULATIONS - To Russell M who has become a grandfather for the first time.

Grass cutting – Thanks Ray D for cutting the grass a couple of times.

Visits - We have had visits from a number of State politicians and Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King. Must be an election in the offing. I know a number of our members would rather the politicians didn’t come but it is a good opportunity to inform them on what we do and remember they control the purse strings. Thanks to Alan, Andrew and Denis for kitchen duties and cleaning up after. Four of our members attended the VMSA AGM in Melbourne on the 24th. Paul Sladdin has finished as President. He might be able to return to the Mansfield Men’s Shed. David Helmers the AMSA CEO spoke and we also heard a speaker give some good fund raising info. Some freebies were given away but many of the items are odd sizes.

• Retiring VMSA President, Paul Sladdin
• Current AMSA CEO, David Helmers
• Chooks in a feeding frenzy

BACK YARD CAR PARK Thanks to Len C for organizing some heavy equipment from Powercor at Mates rates. The operator – Ian Hart worked to 6pm on two nights in his own time. Thanks to Len C, Alan A, John van M, Glenn A, Ron L, Paul T, John E, Bernie R. If you would like an image of your head carved into the posts, then see Len who is a skilful carver, Ron who can carve rock, so that’s about the same or Glenn or John who are both dab hands with a chainsaw. For a price of course!

BALLARAT ART GALLERY PROJECT A few months ago we were asked to build a cubby house that was to be decorated by school children. A couple of weeks ago it was unveiled at the art gallery in all its “fluro” glory. It really did look great. Thanks to Lynton R and Alan D for representing BECS at the unveiling. We have also since completed a couple of art display boards for the Art Gallery which was a request after seeing us at the gallery. Not sure of the final destination of the cubby house but it is to visit another school.

WORKSHOP A very productive month with lots of jobs either under way or finished. It seems that people and groups are finding us, more than likely due to our quality work at a reasonable price. This month we must finish repainting and refurbishing the Christmas trees for the Bridge Mall.

• Joker Poker board for Fire Brigade Cricket Club. Thanks Lynton & Alan D
• Planter boxes for M.A.D.E. Thanks Lynton, Richard and Len and Ray & Fergy
• Toy assembly for 3BA Christmas appeal. Thanks to Ken P for completing this. We have received a letter of appreciation from Peter Calligari on behalf of the appeal.
• Graham doing what he does. Making toys
• Wooden stands for water bottle display. Thanks Ron
• Trophies for Dragons Abreast. Thanks to Ron and Paul and to Len for design

GRAFFITTI CLEAN UP AT TANIA DANIELS – THE GOOD GUYS - A few weeks ago we were asked by Tania Daniels to see if we could remove graffiti from the car park walls, clean the concrete and paint the bollards. Coincidently we were contacted a number of weeks earlier to see if we were interested in receiving a graffiti cleaning kit, which turned up just as we started. The kit includes a pressure washer, chemical, power lead and cleaning brushes. Thanks to Ron L, John E, Ian H, Ian S, Doug S, Paul T . We do thank Ian S who brought along the big guns with a petrol powered pressure washer and a 1000 litres of water on the back of his 4x4. Thanks Ian who has just joined BECS.

I think the purpose of our kit is that if we see some graffiti in the area then we would consider getting rid of it.

CORRECTION I must apologise for an error in last months quiz. I listed a BSA bantam (now worth $3500.00) as an Indian Scout Sport 750 (now worth $30,000.00 – 40,000.00 ) Now I was either - not listening properly at the time / was blind / know nothing about motorbikes / or all three.

But the editor was - hard up at the time to trade the Indian for the Bantam / had a fascination with oil spots on the garage floor / would only do the deal if they threw in the clown suit to hide his embarrassment / or all three.

Hopefully the quiz will be back next month when we have more space and photos please.

SICK LIST This month it is Graeme or Graham as our feature name. Graham M is having a rest from the tools for a couple of weeks, Lorraine advised that Graeme M is looking for some extra level of care and Graham R has been having pain after teeth extractions. Tim F has had some back surgery in Melbourne and Ken P is still undergoing his treatment. We wish you all and others that we are not aware of all the best in your treatments and recovery. Please let me know if you hear of any others or families who are unwell.

Ballarat Show We had a small display in the main pavilion at this years show, plus the cow photo boards which we have been told were busy on all days. We might be asked to do the same and more next year. Thanks to Ron L and Ray A for putting this together. I would like us to have a bigger presence next year but it is difficult as it comes right on top of Springfest.

ROTARY RAFFLE - The uptake of books has been slow, except one unnamed member Brian B who is on his fourth book. Now Brian must have a lot of friends or he is trying a bit harder than the rest of us. 80 cents in the Dollar of sales we keep, and the other 20cents goes to the Government, not to Rotary. This is Rotary’s way to give back to the community as distribution from the Trash and Treasure Market. Please ask at the office for a book.

And finally thanks to Ron L, David P and Doug S who put in a big day at SPRINGFEST last Sunday. Also the tent erectors on the Saturday -Doug S, Ron L, John v M, Ian H, Paul T, Neale McS . Sorry if I have forgotten to acknowledge you in this or other activities. Alan A dared me to show the ute load after Springfest. I always say a load is only as good as what falls off. Well it doesn’t look pretty but nothing fell off so it must have been a good load !