It’s been a while  between magazines as we did not have a January edition.
Sick List     Graeme Muir has had stays in hospital both here and in Melbourne. A couple of members have had tests and are waiting for results. Tony Farmilo has had his knee operation and is in his new home . Good to see Keith Pilvern back at the shed on Thursday. Barry Watt has had a good report only to have a setback courtesy of a 3yo. Barry came off second best with a broken wrist. Hope to see you back soon Barry.
Farmers’ Market –Possible proceeds $350 still to be confirmed.
Community Market _ - $250 still to be confirmed. It has been decided to keep the same format for next month as 3 stallholders said they would be back. We still need to attract more public interest.
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. Â
Toilet Block –Alterations for emergency access are completed.Trevor decided to see if the operations were working practically ! Hope you are back on deck soon Trevor. Just waiting for painting to be finished. Think of an idea for an official opening – it needs to be quirky. Next job will be the female/disabled toilet upgrade, and the mural on the wall. .
VMSA –  Mobile phones for seniors. We have volunteered our facility as a venue for this activity which is to assist older people in using mobile phones. This event will be held this year and is open to anyone in the community.
Coming Events----
Begonia Parade – Monday 11th  March 2013. We will need to resurrect our 3 little pigs float and will be seeking members to represent BECS at the parade.
Vision Aids Display – Steve McKenna of Countrywide Specs is organising a display of products available to improve our eyesight .Further details and date to be announced.
Rotary Raffle -To date we have raised over $450. We have set aside money from the raffle for the Nissan hut repair which we have budgeted at $1000. Books and money need to be back to Denis Costigan before 28th February. If you can take a book it would help, and we are also looking for volunteers for Monday 25th February 8-4pm as we will have the car in the Bridge Mall. Thanks to Neale McSwain, Alan Buchanan and Denis Costigan for manning the stall last week.
Workshop jobs – We have completed a very solid bench for the Ballarat Observatory to be used to hold mirrors for polishing. Richard has built a couple of storage boxes for a ute and is currently working on more benches for Friends of the Botanical Gardens. Bob Ducic has been making donation boxes as well as fixing some chairs. Graham Murray has just completed some more microwaves. Ron Lancaster turned up some legs for a coffee table and is really getting into the woodturning with some cheeseboards on the go. He is also getting special orders with a lady wanting new bed legs. The metal working area has built 3 bike racks for Ludbrook House. They look absolutely first class (see photo elsewhere). Thanks to John Eagle, Neale McSwain and Doug Smith. Doug managed to make a former for use in the pipe bender to bend the square tube. I think if Doug started his working life again he would have been an inventor! Great job guys. Work is still continuing on the electric car.
Golden City Paddle Steamer – George Brooks asked if he could get some assistance with stability tests on the new boat . Thanks to the volunteers who helped out.
Gold acres Field Day – We have been asked to cater for this event on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th February at Lake Burrumbeet racecourse, approximately 10-3pm. If you haven’t volunteered to help with the bbq’s before this is a great way to get to know other guys and will be a significant fundraiser for us.
Veterans Affairs – We have been asked to participate in a mens health talk at the end of the month.
Bottled water donation – Thanks to Peter Coates who arranged a donation of bottled water from one of the local businesses.
Nissan hut roof repair – Thanks to Graeme Muir who called in some favours and arranged for a travel tower from Coates Hire to repair the roof on the shed. Unfortunately this machine did not have the reach required but Coates hire have generously agreed to loan us a scissor lift so we can do the repairs from inside the shed. Len Cooper is supervising this job and we plan to use some of the iron to make patch panels . We will also need to clean up in the back shed and Ray will do a Houdini act so we can work in the shed. Hopefully by now we will have a bin in to clear a lot of the rubbish.
A day in the life of the bbq team
Saturday 26th January – Preparation – On the Thursday John Eagle picks up sausages from Ballarat Meat Co. and then helps Alan Aiton, Ray Drury , Rick Tree and Paul Timms cut up Onions.
Farmers Market – On Saturday morning Alan A, David Paton, Doug Smith, Paul T, John E and Ray D manned worked on the bbq. I think we raised over $300 for this market. The trailer returned to the shed for a quick clean and then went back to the Lake.
Australia Day fireworks – The team for this event was Paul T, Ray and Marj D, John and Eileen E, John Towers, Glen Tilley, Alan B, Steve and Ron Lancaster. Total proceeds from this was $1000. A huge effort by everyone concerned and much thanks to the team. Alan A alone was on deck for 17 hours!! An amazing contribution and should be applauded.
Wildlife Victoria – We have received a thank you email for assisting with the possum boxes. Thanks to Richard and all his work.
Visitors – We had a number of men from the Croyden Mens Shed visit for a tour and lunch. On the 28th of this month we will have the Mayor and our Ward Councillors for a tour and lunch.
Ballarat Cycle Classic – We have assisted the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Centre in providing a bbq for their annual fundraising event. This is the third year we have participated and without official confirmation we believe we will have raised for them $1500 - $2000. Thanks to the following – Alan A, Doug S, John and Eileen E , Paul T, Neale Mcs, Alan B, Steve, Glenn T, and Bernie R. A pretty full on day. You will notice the same names appearing on many of these event reports but we would encourage other members to get involved when they can. Thanks also to Rotary for the use of their trailer.
Congratulations – To Trevor and Marion we extend our best wishes for your marriage and future together.
Thank You – We have received a letter from Judith Wheaton following Neville’s passing last year. This letter is on the noticeboard and we would encourage you to read it as it has her thoughts on bereavement and life in general.
Retrospect 125 years ago – Did you see the article? The fire brigade has organised to have two extra fast horses on hand to haul the steam pump! I’ve always said you can’t have too much horsepower. I wonder what the callout time would be after catching and harnessing horses and then firing up the boiler?
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.
