Australian Men s Shed Association New South Wales

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1 Australian Men s Shed Association New South Wales SHOULDER TO SHOULDER ZONE 8 - NEWSLETTER December 2015 Greetings Fellow Shedders While the year is winding down the activities of the AMSA don t seem to be slowing at all, perhaps they are, and maybe its just that I m looking forward to a break and that I m starting to go a bit easier on the accelerator. Talking of driving I m off on Friday for a shed Expo in Albury on Saturday then home on the Sunday. A few years ago I may have done such a trip without blinking an eye now the 6-7 hour drive each way doesn t excite me. And to top it all off the following week I m on the Central Coast for the opening of the Mannering Park (Mano) Shed and the following day I plan to be in Denman for a shed gathering. At least I get to see plenty of the country! AMSA Has a New Website By new each registered shed will have received notification of the new AMSA web with instructions on how to log on. The update which has been coming for some time will be very welcome as there will be general information on line but an added feature is that sheds will have secure access to a members only site. No longer will non-amsa members have access to information and special offers. Some sheds may have experienced teething problems when they first logged on and then added their personal password. Having selected a unique password there is no need to keep selecting a new one, as some sheds have attempted, each time you log on.

2 From a Zone management view the new site has facilities for individual sheds to upload information such as changes to contact details. Each shed will then be responsible for ensuring that contact details are kept up to date. If changes occur to your contacts please update the site as soon as possible. Your up to date details help in two areas 1 Correct contact information helps keep the general public in contact with your shed because a member of the public may wish to - - inquire about membership - want to donate money(we wish) - want to donate materials - want you to join a community event - look for someone to do a task for them, or - a company may want to discuss sponsorship or some other form of support. To do that successfully we need current contact details, preferably two people. The reason for two people is in case one person is away for whatever reason it ensures that the information can still be shared amongst the members where applicable. 2 Communication between AMSA and Sheds AMSA has committed to supply the NSW Committee with regular update articles which we can pass on to Sheds. With so much work on their plates, Mel & Liz who look after the office, Marty Leist (who is on the road most of the time) and David Helmers who seems to spend most of his time dealing with politicians and industry leaders, they find it almost impossible to find the time to pass on the good news stories that come across their desks daily. At regular times I will include in my Newsletters items they send me but don t forget to keep looking at the NSW website where items of interest are added regularly. The following article shows how a Queensland Shed worked in their community to keep a part of Australia s heritage alive.

3 Hello, Following a very successful project with funding from the Federal Government 100 year Centenary of ANZAC Grants over 20 months the Buderim Men's Shed have delivered a monument to the WW1Light Horse. This monument was unveiled on Beersheba Day 31 October 2015 by the Federal Minister for Veteran Affairs Hon Stuart Robert MP. The following is a short story from the program stating the connection of the Men's Shed and a War memorial. I have attached a press release also giving the story with lead ups to the Community Event. Photos show the street procession and some of the unveiling. Happy to elaborate if necessary. Cheers Barry Cheales OAM JP (Qual) Vice President ""In January 2014, members of the Buderim Men's Shed discussed how they could contribute to the Centenary of ANZAC. There was agreement to recognise the contribution of the Australian Light Horse to World War 1 (WW1) as this was not as prominent as the Gallipoli campaign. The decision was made to seek financial assistance through the Australian Government's Anzac Centenary local grants program to build a memorial to the Light Horse regiments of WW1. This would allow the Buderim Men's Shed to secure the capacity to design and build a memorial to the Australian Light Horse regiments of WW1. The Buderim Men's Shed consulted its resident artist Jeff Franklin who suggested a stylised 'Waler' horse synonymous with the mounted regiments during this period of war. Following discussions with the Sunshine Coast Council, a suitable location at Woombye was confirmed and acknowledged the presence of two troops of the Australian Light Horse Troops based in the region: one in Woombye and the other in Maleny. The memorial is the result of the Buderim's Men Shed design, build and installation and is dedicated to the 98th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba in which the Australian Light Horse regiments played a pivotal role in the final victory in the 3rd battle of Gaza. This battle will continue to be commemorated honoring the Australians of the Light Horse and the New Zealanders of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles to be honored each Beersheba Day into the future.

4 The design of the memorial and its 5 panels is an outcome of focusing on the word ANZAC. When viewed from either end with the fine lines tapering to an end, represents respect for the passing of the 'Waler' into mechanisation as well as the passing of the light horsemen who made the ultimate sacrifice. In moving around the memorial. It reveals a 'Waler' looking tired and weary from battle and sad to never return home. The yellow glass and the lights depict the rising and setting of the sun when we remember the loss. The dedication ceremony was conducted in association with the Maroochy and Nambour RSL's and the Buderim Men's Shed. To all Shedders and supporters I wish you a very Merry Christmas and following quiet New Year celebrations befitting people of our stature and maturity in the community a safe holiday season with exciting prospects for John Sharples Secretary Australian Men's Shed Association NSW Representing Zone 8 Men s Sheds in the Central Coast, Western & Upper Hunter Mobile: sharplesj@bigpond.com

5 Aberdeen Men's Shed, Bateau Bay Men's Shed, Branxton-Greta Men's Shed, Cessnock Men's Shed &Community Garden, Cooranbong Men s Shed, Denman and District Men's Shed, Erina Community Men's Shed, Gosford City Model Railroad Club, Gosford Community Men's Shed, Kincumber Men's Shed, Kurri Kurri Community Centre, Manno Men s Shed, Murrurundi Community Men's Shed, Muswellbrook Men's Shed, Peninsular Community Men's Shed, San Remo Community Men's Shed, South Lake Macquarie Community Men's Shed, Singleton Men's Shed, Swansea & District Community Men's Shed, Terrigal Men's Shed, The Entrance Men's Shed, The Lake Haven, Umina Beach Men's Shed, Upper Hunter Men's Shed, Wisemans Ferry Community Men's Shed, Wyong Men's Shed

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