BECS "BLOKE OF THE YEAR" AWARD. - This year the Committee has decided to present two awards. This award is presented to a BECS member (non committee member) who has made a significant contribution to shed activities and shed life. This could be in the form of fundraising, shed projects, shed maintenance, assisting shed members, participating in events and other positive activities in and around the shed. In random order the winners are Ray Drury and Doug Smith. I would also acknowledge Ron’s efforts in producing the presentation clock and biro sets. Ray has worked on many bbq’s for Farmers Markets and Power FM as well as community events such as The Councils street party. This always involves using his own vehicle. Marj is always ably assisting him and we thank you Marj for all your help. Ray has cut the grass at the shed all year, has picked up the bread every week from Bakers Delight, assisted the crew that went to pick up the wood lathe from Euroa, done maintenance on the shed utes and mower (as well as using his own mower on occasions – also with Mrs D’s help). He has picked up batteries and scrap metal and then taken them to the recyclers, drove a number of us to Horsham for a VMSA meeting, picked up tools and car parts for the shed and other shed members from Melbourne.

Well done Ray and well deserved.

Doug is one of the founding members of BECS and has made a huge contribution over the years. This year on particular he took on the Water Supply upgrade and drove the digger to allow the laying of the new pipe. Doug followed this with the major contribution to the Wet Area Upgrade, including plastering, cabinet remodelling, painting, tiling and finally the sealing of the tiles. He has also refurbished the cutting deck on the ride on mower, spray painted the old and new Christmas trees for the Bridge Mall, helped with graffiti removal and tighten and repaint safety bollards for Tania Daniels – The Good Guys as well as helping with bbq’s. Again well done Doug, and richly deserved.

All in all both have made significant contributions to the operations and history of BECS.

BBQ Trailer - Community Market – Another very busy month following on from all of the November events. Last week we fed over 300 bikers on the annual Ulysses toy run. Thanks to John E for heading this up and helpers Alan B, Glen T, Glenn A, Steve (Agro) V, and probably Alan D. Not long after Alan A had the trailer set up at MADE with help from Alan D, Rob F, Lynton R, Paul T, Steve V and probably Alan D. We also managed The Bridge Mall marshalling with Glen T, Steve V, Neale McS, Paul T and probably Alan D. Special mention to Steve V who helped at 3 events on the one day which must be a record.

The financials I have is MADE, we made $515.00 and on the Toy Run approx $620.00. This is the only way you can get two consecutive mades in a sentence and still make cents. Get it ?

Next week we have a Power Fm bbq at Fed. Uni for their Open Day, and we have bbq’s on the 23rd and 24th at Wilson’s Fruit and Veg,(even though we have closed for the year ). Happy to do these as Trevor has been a great supporter of ours since we started. If you can put in a couple of hours then see Alan A.

Picture below - Lots of leather and chrome at the Ulysses toy run!

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.

New BECS clothing – We have a new supply of shirts, jackets, hats etc. Please see Denis C if you wish to purchase some items. The polo top look good for summer wear.

BACK YARD CAR PARK - Thanks to Len C for organizing the poles for the retaining walls and the guys from Powercor at Mates rates. Not sure who The Powercor guys were this time , but if you can pass on our thanks please Len. We need a few more retaining logs and then the clean fill and gravel to finish it off.

BALLARAT ART GALLERY PROJECT - We have received a certificate of Appreciation for our help on the cubby house.

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 have finished repainting the Christmas Trees for The Bridge Mall. A bit of a drama when John Marios told us he was expecting 55 trees and we could only account for 45. A quick call to Shaun Tuddenham who arranged some craftwood and then stayed back to laser cut them out. A huge vote of thanks to Shaun at cutting Edge Joinery in Alfredon. We quickly assembled a team of painters and with Moyles trailer got them to the Mall. It was Embarrassing to discover that in putting them together they were a bit tight. Back to shed and out with the router. Back to Mall to finally get them set up. The long list of helpers include Tony S, John H, Moyle B, Doug S, Geoff, John E, Mario F, Ian S, Rob F, Ron L, Ray A, John B, David P, Graham S, John R, John v M, and possibly Alan D. Sorry if I missed anyone but it was a huge combined effort and thanks to those who stayed back to finish the job ------- Photos elsewhere.

We have finished the planter boxes for MADE With the wider feet which will make them more stable. Thanks to Lynton R, Richard G, and Ray A. Another cubby house is nearly finished, thanks to Lynton R and John E. Ron has cut out some frogs, and Graeme M and Graham S and Ken have been making more toys. Up in the metal workshop Neale McS is making another artistic creation, John E is progressing with the trailer including some tuition for Ray A and John A has made a clothesline for the shed.

1 MADES’s planter box. 2 Neal’s Big Guitar 3 The Eagles lair 4 Kermit the Frog.

GRAFFITTI CLEAN UP AT TANIA DANIELS – THE GOOD GUYS - This job is in the final stretch. Thanks to Doug S, Ian S and Paul T who have installed new loxons to secure the bollards and then repaint them in safety yellow following a couple of issues with the paint not covering properly. We will be looking at a couple of computers as recompense for our efforts. Thanks to all the members who have helped on this project.

SICK LIST - Please let Denis or one of the committee know if you hear of any others or families who are unwell. Graeme M has gone into care and Ken is still having treatment.

ROTARY RAFFLE - The uptake of books has been slow, except one unnamed member Brian B who is on his sixth 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.

THE END IS NiGH - Saturday 20th Dec 14 is it. The shed will reopen on Sat 3rd Jan 15. The last workshop day is Thursday 18th Dec. On Saturday 20th, our monthly meeting day there will be no breakfast, the meeting will start at 10.00 and a FREE FREE FREE lunch will be put on so put your names down please.

PHOTOS - John, Rob and Doug at work on Christmas Trees. John H, Moyle B, Ian S, Mario F and Tony S delivering the trees to the Mall.

THE QUIZ IS BACK - Just a short list. Alan Davies, Tom Quirk, Doug Jenkins and Moyle Bunworth

Match against 1927 T Model Roadster, 1923 Fordson Model F, 1958 International ASI Truck, Kawasaki ? 500 Solo Motorcycle 1960’s BSA 500 racing motorcycle and a Sunbeam motorcycle powered by a VW.

SOME NOTES FROM THE COMMITTEE - The committee has been working on a number of policies one of which is a Membership liason officer and we are pleased to announce that Denis Costigan has agreed to take on this role. This position involves sending cards to sick members or family members, helping new members integrate into the shed, ensuring members who have work commitments are complying, and following up absentee members to see that everything is ok. If any members becomes aware of illness or absentee members then please let Denis know.

We have further policies on membership subscription and work guidelines which will be available soon. John v M has been working on a new budget. Thanks John for all your accounting work.

The committee has been working with Peter Veal to help us come up with a design plan for the Nissen hut. This will allow us to spend the grant we received from VMSA through DHS. When this is completed we will give a presentation to members.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS - On behalf of the committee we would like to extend seasons greetings to all members and your families. If you are travelling – please keep safe as there are a lot of idiots out there who take lots of risks. We hope to see you all back in the New Year for another productive year.

LATE ITEM - The bbq at The Combined Carols Service went very well. As it was fine we had lots of drink sales. Thanks to Doug S for going and getting further supplies. Other helpers were Alan A, John and Eileen E and Denis C. Thanks for a big effort over 5 and half hours.