2016/17 has been a year of consolidation for the Shed, with a steady stream of new Members applying for membership, and many new projects being started.

On behalf of the Shed, Frank Zambello and John Hunter applied for and won a grant of $30,000 from the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services.

This was done with the help of the office of MP Josh Bull and is for the construction of an extension to the building. It has created great enthusiasm with the members and plans and quotes were organised. Unfortunately our plans were rejected by Hume City Council Planning Dept due to an administration error in our Lease Agreement and parking issues. After a meeting with the Council Officers, we believe that these issues have been resolved and we hope to have the permits to commence the building shortly. This will make a great improvement to the operation of the Shed.

Another great project initiated by Nat Perri was the Shed becoming a Work for the Dole Provider. This provided an income for the Shed as well as helping some of the recipients learn some new skills. Regrettably we have had to suspend this program over the winter months, as there is not enough room in the existing Shed to accommodate the extra numbers in wet weather.

I sincerely thank the Members who accepted the role of Area Coordinator when asked. This has taken a big workload off the “Boss of the Day”, and provided a stable environment within each area with regard to the layout and safe work practices which is a big benefit to all Shed Members.

The offer to be able to purchase the entire contents of the Sunbury College Metal Workshop has been a bonus. We have been able to improve and upgrade some of our existing equipment and sell the equipment in excess of our needs to recoup our initial outlay. Additional equipment will also enable Members to learn new skills and to generate income for the Shed.

I would like to acknowledge the great work done behind the scenes by Mike Newman, Nat Perri and Frank Zambello, in applying for and receiving grants that have enabled us to purchase new and/or upgrade our Shed equipment. I wish to thank Peter Wilkinson for the incredible hours that he puts into projects for the Shed. Most Members do not realise the number of jobs that Peter inspects, then works out costings, materials and delivers the finished product. Peter and his dedicated team of helpers provide a steady stream of income to the Shed, producing great timber products. Garry Pettit continues to make great tables and chairs which have provided a regular income. Likewise, Ted Riley is also very busy in the metalwork area, with many projects on the go. Trevor Dunn has been a great help with training and the running of the metal- work section. Kevin Wood has turned his electrical expertise into installing and repairing many items around the Shed, and is now burning timber in a spectacular fashion, making great art pieces. Rod Jackson used his talent to upgrade our security system after we received a Rotary Club grant. Frank Zambello continues to produce a great and well received newsletter each month.

V.P. Ian Lupson does a lot of behind the scenes activities and makes a great soup and coordinates Friday lunches. These Friday lunches are very much appreciated, particularly by many of our Members who only come to the Shed on Fridays. Barry Burbridge continues to provide a steady stream of produce from the garden area. Past President Dieter Jankovic maintains the property in good stead and Jim Moffat helps with organising sponsorship for the Shed with local businesses.

No organisation can operate successfully without a good Secretary and Treasurer and we are very lucky to have both. Our Secretary John Hunter has done a large amount of work dealing with correspondence and submissions to Council regarding our building permit problems, as well as the day to day running of the Shed dealing with the numerous and various problems as they arise.

Our Treasurer Stan Rasanayagam at times puts on his Uncle Scrooge hat and keeps some of our Members’ rash spending ideas under control. As a result, we hope to have sufficient funds available to complete and fit out the new Shed when construction is completed. Lastly, I thank all the Members who have contributed in any way large or small towards the running of this great Shed. Without your help and input we would not have the facilities and comraderie that exists which all helps make time spent at the Shed a great experience.

Kevin Swaffield, President

Presidents Report, 2014/15

What a great year it’s been for the Shed, with daily attendances now in the low 30’s! Fantastic!

All visitors arriving on site are most impressed by our facilities, more so when informed that it was all achieved by our Sheddies! We seem to be the envy of most Victorian Sheds. Well done those blokes, give yourselves a pat on the back.

Therefore in order to cope with increasing popularity of our Shed and increasing lack of space for our Sheddies to work on their various projects Tom Blight has agreed to open the Shed on Tuesday mornings and be the Duty Co-ordinator.      Thanks Tom.

Also Kevin Wood, our resident “Sparkie” has agreed to offer his services as a Duty Co-ordinator as required, well done Kevin. This helps reduce our workload in that area.

Trevor Dunn, Frank Zambello, Kevin Wood have been added to those approved to maintain our machinery items.

It appears to me that Barrie’s garden has been underutilized during the year, with a lot of produce going to seed instead of being picked and enjoyed by our Sheddies so take time to re-acquaint yourselves with Barrie’s veggie patch.

The past year has been a very busy one for the Committee of Management team, doing all the necessary backroom admin stuff that keeps the Shed operational.

My thanks and deep appreciation goes to all on the Committee for a successful year.

First and foremost thanks go to the Terrific Trio of Mike Newman, Stan Rasa, and Norm Ripp, who undertake the vast majority of the necessary admin work for Membership, Grants Applications, Shed finances, letter writing, answering Emails and enquires, and maintaining cordial relations with various government departments, Hume City Council, and the Private business sector.

Thanks also to Ian Lupson for providing guidance to my Presidential efforts.

To Kevin Swaffield, Rod Jackson, and John Staines for continuing the often unpopular job of  Occ Health and Safety Officers.

To Tom Blight and John Staines for providing assistance as required during the year as Duty Co-ordinators and Welfare Officers.

To John Hunter for being Minute Secretary when needed and pursuing funding sources for our increasingly urgent Shed extensions.

To Peter Wilkinson for volunteering to be our Projects Co-ordinator to keep an administrative eye on our numerous projects, and valuable leadership organising and supervising the many off-site community projects we undertake—so please everyone fill out those pesky Project sheets as they provide valuable information for Grants Applications and Community projects we complete.

And finally thank you to all our Sheddies for the effort required to complete the many projects that earn some dollars to keep our excellent Shed open, also particularly to those Sheddies who time and again volunteer to man our regular Bunnings sausage sizzles. You few are the people who do the most to provide a regular income that enables us to keep the Sheds doors open month after month.

As can be seen by my long-winded report it takes a heck of a lot of goodwill and effort to maintain what must be one of the most successful Sheds in Victoria.

It can only get better!

Dieter Jankovic

President 2014/15