Picton Mens Community Shed

Author: John Welch

  • December 2025 Newsletter

    Health and Safety

    The kitchen project remains an active construction zone so please take care and make sure all visitors are properly escorted. One injury reported was a finger tip contacting an electric planer. The First Aid kit was found to be lacking the right items for the job so this is currently being upgraded. There is a quick use kit hanging near the doorway to the kitchen and another in the Kindling shed. Once the kitchen project is finished we can look at rehanging the Main First Aid cabinet along with the AED. I have started a medium term project to collate all of our machine Safety rules into a single booklet which can then be issued to all new members.

    The Shed Christmas Party will be held at midday on 10th December. Partners welcome. Please bring a plate. The Shed will provide some beer, wine and soft drinks along with sausages, meat patties and onions. The BBQ will be available.

    Closing Date will be 17th December which will be dedicated to cleaning up the shed.

    Opening Date will be 7th January 2026. This was a Committee decision as we felt that last year there was quite a long period of closure. We will probably have a roster for the Committee to be present for those members who are around and would like to attend.

    Shed Social

    The last activity of the year was a presentation at Marina Cove by the Public Trust on the subject of estate planning, wills and EPOA’s. There are some useful pamphlets on these subjects in the Office area. Please ensure you have a current will as well as your extended family knowing who is your NOK. I have modifed our membership application form to add an extra detail for NOK and contact details.

    2026 Outings

    Early 2026 we will plan a visit to the newly opened Ward Museum and may combine this with a visit to Ward Beach in time to see recovery of the Cray boats.

    Wednesday 19th November

    Remembering Bill

    Remembering Bill was attended by around 45 people, our shed and members of the Triumph Owners Club along with some of his friends from the Picton community

    Bills achievements and activities were recalled during the event which was followed by lunch along with a quiet drink and chat.

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  • November 2025 Newsletter

    The next Shed Event is a talk at Marina Cove at 1100 on Thursday November 13 by the Public Trust covering wills, estate planning and enduring powers of attorney (EPOA). All welcome. Gold coin donation.

    On behalf of the Men’s Shed Tim accepted a cheque from Z Energy Promotions.

    These funds will be a great help with the ongoing renovation of the kitchen under the able direction of Mike and his team. The new window has been fitted and we are still searching for ranchsliders. The plan is to hold a remembrance function for Bill Rogers on 19 November with a BBQ and we will invite Averil, Bill’s girlfriend.

    Health and Safety

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    There is a small notebook (pictured) with the First Aid Kit and this is for recording any injuries at the Shed. There has only been one fall reported since the last Committee meeting but ironically today I was walking past a wooden frame and two nails gashed my forearm. The kitchen project is an ongoing hazard with risks of tripping and falling as well as causing congestion inside the work area so please take care and make sure all visitors are properly escorted.

    The Shed Christmas Party will be held at midday on 10th December. Partners welcome. Please bring a plate. The Shed will provide some beer, wine and soft drinks. The BBQ will be available.

    Closing Date will be 17th December which will be dedicated to cleaning up the shed.

    Opening Date will be 7th January 2026. This was a Committee decision as we felt that last year there was quite a long period of closure. We will probably have a roster for the Committee to be present for those members who are around and would like to attend.

    We welcome the following new members: Howard Hudson, Robert Hoyle and Brett Matthews. We are in the process of changing our membership application form to add a new section for next of kin (nok) which can be especially important for single members. In the meantime please check you have a valid will and feel free to email me with your nominated nok and a phone number.

    Shed Social

    Your Shed Social Committee have endeavoured throughout the year to provide activities outside the workshop environment.

    Monthly Evening Chats.

    Over the course of the year he have had interesting talks from 

    Greg Childs, John Welch, Chris Davies, Neville Payne, Don Millar, Don McDonald, Mark Colson, James Wilson.

    We’ve been to the Czech Republic, Japan, The Bounty Islands, Chatham Island, Been on Police Patrol and Car Chases, Myanmar, crossed the Sahara in a Mini ans been regaled by local poets.

    While these chat evenings have been small gatherings, we’ve had good feedback from those attending and intend to continue next year.

    Visits to Interesting people and Sheds in Marlborough.

    A Classic Car Collection

    A model railway on the side of a hill (No Photos Sorry)

    We’ve visited a Motor Bike Museum

    Conducted a Cooking Class

    Visited a Wood Artists Gallery Workshop

    We would like to hear your thoughts on what we are doing and welcome suggestions for events and visits to interesting people who are doing something different, along with offers to maybe tell an aspect of a special event or adventure in your life. We can help with the various aspects of putting a presentation together, so have a talk to any of us at any time. Or more likely you may get a tap on the shoulder from one of us who’ve heard something of interest.

  • Z Promotion

    Tim accepted a “cheque” for $1250 for the recent Z promotion. This will be very helpful for our kitchen extension project.

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  • October 2025 Newsletter – John Welch, Editor

    RIP William James (Bill) Rogers
    born 1945 Riverton
    Died Picton 27/9/25

    It is with great regret we report the death of our long serving member Bill Rogers. Bill passed away suddenly on 27th September following a short illness. He was 80 years of age and had only just relinquished the post of Secretary and been awarded life membership of our Shed. Our condolences to his family and to Avril.

    The Police had a great deal of difficulty tracking down Bill’s next of kin (nok) and the Committee have realised that it is a good idea that we record nok in our members datebase, particularly for those members who are single. If you are happy to have these details recorded please email Greg or John.

    Don and I have rediscovered our webpage which is free and sponsored by WordPress. We are trying a new way of disseminating the newsletter via a link and it will take you to the page on the website. When you have finished reading the newsletter have a look around the website and we welcome your suggestions.

    Following our Committee meeting on 1 October, Jan Weber has been appointed as Property Manager with an extensive job description. The key point is that we are all expected to help with keeping the place tidy, sweeping the floor and keeping the kitchen clean and tidy.

    I am the Health and Safety rep and each Committee meeting I will file a report. Please report any accidents or mishaps to me and if you know of any members who are unwell I will contact them.

    The new kitchen was discussed and there was a robust discussion about the future layout. Mike remains Project Manager so please refer any suggestions to him. In summary, the cupboards along the wall under the window will be removed and the existing stainless steel bench will move to the back wall of the new area. In the course of time the existing outside door will disappear and be replaced by ranch sliders to the patio area. Tim is applying for a grant to reclad the outside of the building which is showing some serious deterioration.

    Please note these dates for the forthcoming Social Program

    Shed Chat

    Monday 13th October

    7-9 pm

    James Wilson

    “Inventions, Startups & a Silver Spoon”

    Wives and Partners welcome

    RSVP

    Please tell all your friends. The Presenter is a Picton resident Eli Kennedy who is an IT Engineer and will be giving real examples of current scams and Internet frauds. The Library hire fee is $75 so we are asking a gold coin donation and this is an opportunity for us to showcase the Picton Community Mens Shed and perhaps attract some new members.

    On November 13th 1100 there will be a presentation at Marina Cove on estate planning, wills and enduring power of attorney. There will be another reminder for this in the November newsletter.

  • March Newsletter

    Good Morning Sheddies.

    Well another month has passed and lots of stuff has been happening in your shed.

    First, is great news from Don who has been working on a grant for funds from the Pub charity’s group who have

    Made a grant to us for our new roof of Ten Thousand Dollars, only need to raise another Seven to complete the job

    Yaaa, so put your thinking caps on for some ideas to fundraise.

    Also we have a technology grant for a laptop and some projection gear, the old saying” if you don’t ask you don’t get”applies here, thanks again to Don.

    We still have some outdoor projects to complete before winter, so if you can help talk to one of your committee

    Members, many hands make light work.

    Thanks to Hans for our new sign on the back wall, which makes our presence very obvious.

    Remember to tell your friends about Roberts Plant shop, every dollar counts.

    Happy Shedding

    Kind Regards

    Gavin

  • November Newsletter

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    Hi Sheddies.
    This will be the last letter before Christmas, so here are some dates to remember.
    The last Wednesday of the year will be the 13th of December, this will also feature
    our end of year Bar B Q and Wives are welcome as we celebrete what has been a busy and exciting year.
    The shed will open again on the 31st of January 2018.
    Your committee had their last meeting for the year and plans for the new year were discussed.
    Remember to tell yours friends about our gardening centre as Roberts has a great
    stock of plants for sale.
    Last but not least have a Happy Christmas and a happy and safe new year.
    Kind Regards
    Gavin

  • Havelock Visit

    On Wednesday 15th November seven of us from Picton Shed, visited Havelock Men’s Shed, where we were made most welcome, checked out their current project (a large set of chimes destined as part of a makeover to the school playground), had a cuppa, a slice of very nice chocolate cake and a good chat with our fellow “Sheddies”.

    We then went on to visit a man who can only be described as a “craftsman extraordinary”.

    Lionel Jefcoate welcomed us into his not only his workshop, but also his home, showing us his unique skills not only in wood, but also in metal – he makes all his own hinges and locking devices for small boxes, up to large cabin trunks. If you go through Havelock, take time to visit the Havelock Gallery and see many samples of his work – boxes, chests, bowls and furniture,

    Lionel singlehandedly has designed and built 67 wooden boats of all types, up to 45ft, but at the age of 85 has now slowed to pace that would challenge people half his age. We saw exquisite and ornate, wood turned bowls, sea chests made from exotic timbers and salvaged ship wrecks, all carefully historically documented, lamp shades emphasising nature’s artwork.

     

    Just a small sample of Lionel’s work and the fortunate people who made the trip, sitting on Lionel’s Colonial style cottage, (which we were not surprised to find that he just happened to rebuild and refurbish from roof to foundations and interior, himself)

  • New Location

    2 Market Street, Picton

    After almost ten years as tenants of the Foreshore Trust, where we ran our Mens Shed operation and assisted the Trust with many of their ongoing projects the time came to part company, as the Trust needed the space to develop their plan of being a Maritime Museum.

    We are now busy setting things up in the building formerly occupied by the Picton Toy Library, where work has been progressing since late last year, moving machinery, workbenches and tools to the new location. With the machinery operational, the focus is now on repairing the exterior of the building, setting up a plant nursery, moving a wall or two, putting windows in place where more light is needed and relocating the kitchen.

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    From the Street

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    Plant Nursery – Work in progress

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    Work-in-progress – Wall repairs