Picton Mens Community Shed

Author: Don McDonald

  • April Newsletter

    April Newsletter

    Hi Everyone, we hope you are enjoying the Newsletters, please let us know what you think. Don’t forget the Questionnaire forms that are in the kitchen for you to give us your thoughts and ideas. Drop them in the Suggestion Box and be in the Draw for $50 voucher at Le Cafe. If you are not able to pick up the form at the Shed, let us know and we will email one to you.

    It’s Been a Moving Time at the Shed

    We had some excitement at our Shed on April 1st (not a joke) When the big unit arrived to shift our “Container Shop” from one side of the Kindling Shed to the other (We like shifting things around don’t we)

    The Big Lifter arrives

    The Big Lifter arrives to shift the Container Shop along a couple of blocks.

    Everyone is on Full Alert
    The A Team lined up
    Some sat in the Stalls
    The Big Lifter arrives
    Others in the Front Row
    Some in the Side Stalls
    Some walked in front of the Camera

    Spectators gathered, some in the Side Stalls some in the Front Stalls and some walked in front of the Camera

    Experts and commentators all played their part in getting the shift completed without too many problems – though I did hear Mike using some strong language the following Saturday when the electrical re-connection was not going too well.

    Shed Social Update

    We had two outings one day apart.

    The first on the 18th March to David Jone’s train project at Cooks Ridge, overlooking Queen Charlotte Sound

    Then on the 19th March eight of us had an enjoyable game of Social Bowls at Picton Bowling Club. It was a warm day and after one and a half hours on a fairly warm day, we were made welcome at the Clubrooms Bar where we shared a drink and a few yarns with our hosts.

    Some Words on Health and Safety

    Injuries

    There were no significant injuries reported over the last month. Long may it continue!

    Planer damage.  This will cost $100 plus labour to repair and the machine will be unavailable during this time.  It is unknown when this occured but the likely reason is using it for: second hand timber, painted timber and denailed timber.

    Noise control is very important for members hearing.  John Welch recently had his hearing checked and was very surprised to discover marked hearing loss.  This has likely been present for some time. Once this has started, continued noise exposure causes an even more rapid loss of hearing.  Please use the provided hearing protection.  If there are insufficient ear defenders let the Committee know and we will buy more.

    Dust is another problem and is known to cause lung damage long term.  Even when doing a “short job” please use the extractor system.  The Committee is considering rewiring the tablesaw, thicknesser, buzzer and compound mitre saw so that the extractor is automatically turned on when the device is used.

    Now is the time to be checking your Covid and Influenza immunity. Free shots are available at the High St Pharmacy. You could also consider Shingles vaccination although it is quite expensive. If any members need help with booking online Don and I can offer IT assistance including the use of smart phones. Another option is free lessons through the Picton Library.

  • February-March Newsletter

    Kitchen Grand Opening

    Well there’s no doubt the the highlight since our last Newsletter was the grand opening of our new kitchen by our Mayor Nadine Taylor who, far from a rushed visit, spent a couple of hours with us, during a walk around with Tim

    On the her arrival Tim took Mayor Nadine on a walk around. She showed a lot of interest in our site and our activities.

    Our Chair Tim welcomed visitors and members gathered in the kitchen, before inviting the Mayor forward to do the honours.

    Prior to the unveiling, Mayor Nadine commented that she had opened Bridges and Buildings, but this was the first time she had opened a Kitchen!

    Mayor Nadine invited Mike to assist her with the unveiling where they both took hold of the strap and removed the Four Square Tea Towel from the plaque.

    Following on was a very nice Morning Tea enjoyed by all.

    Mike with his right hand man Sam

    It is rumoured that Greg spoke to the Mayor about a rates rebate (for the Shed of course)

    Members Project this Month

    Neville Payne is building another Drum – remember the one he built last year – this one is being built for a young Autistic person. Good on you Neville, a nice thing to do.

    Shed Social News

    Firstly, there are some Questionnaire forms in the Kichen and a new Suggestion Box. We would like you to pick one up, write up your thoughts and ideas and place them in the Box.

    These will go in the draw for a $50 Le Cafe voucher, Closing date will be Wednesday 8th April

    Its been a slow start to the Social Year, but we have an interesting programme lined up for you.

  • January 2026 Newsletter

     Welcome to our first edition for the year and we hope a successful one for our Shed and all our Members.

    Our New Kitchen

    What a treat it was to sit down in our New Kitchen (No. 4) A big THANK YOU to Project Manager Mike, his sidekick Sam and the many others who put their shoulder to the wheel over the past few months, we look forward to the Shed Chefs putting on a dinner sometime, as well as the space we now have for chat evenings & slideshows.

    Scenes and Jottings from our Christmas Lunch

    Plenty of Food
    Some of our Guests
    Bruce and his Buddy
    Conversation

    Sheddies Projects – We will make this a monthly feature, so put your project forward

    Always good to see a Shed Members project completed, up and running – or in this case standing.

    It’s a Red Letterbox Day for John and his 5 neighbours.

    Remembering

    Kerry Eagar

    One of our past members, Kerry was Secretary from 2016 to 2022 and along with Rex Green, Chairman and Hugh Fredricks, Treasurer, managed the move from the Powerhouse Shedsite to our current location.

    Kerry passed away at Hospice Marlborough, on December 28, 2025, aged 76 years.

    Activities Coming Up

    • Feb 13th Shed Outing to Renwick Shed 9am to 2pm
    • March 2nd Shed Chat 10.30 to 12noon
    • March – Visit to Ward Heritage Centre – Date to follow

  • NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2025

    We hope you enjoy our new logo, designed by Hans and including our mission statement

    “Adding value to the community”. 

    The new kitchen project is forging ahead with Mike as Project manager.  Be very careful moving around this area as there are a lot of trip hazards.  The sink plumbing will be rerouted under the new floor, and this should solve the poor drainage of the sink.

    On 27th August we hosted five third year medical students who were on their community visits.  Hans had made them Laser engraved Name badges and during morning smoko it was great to see Members engaging with the students.  They send a report on their visit, and I will circulate this in due course.

    Social Program
    This is a new initiative hosted by Don, Chris Davies and me.  All members are welcome, and we were specifically targeting those members who do not normally attend our normal open days.  So far, we have had a mixture of events-talks on Monday nights as well as visits to interesting museums and workshops.  Here are some of the events coming up:

    Mark Colson Veterinarian Highlights

    James Wilson Inventions

    On Thursday 16th October we have booked the library from 7-9pm for a presentation on Internet Safety, scams and security.  This will be hosted by us, and the guest speaker will be IT Specialist Eli Kennedy.  The plan is to aim for 40 people and ask for a donation of $2 to cover the $75 fee for the library.

    On November 13th at 1100 at Marina Cove, there will be a presentation by the Public Trust on Estate Planning, wills and enduring powers of attorney.  Once again, we will cover the $50 fee by asking for a gold coin donation.

    Health and Safety
    If regular members are noted to be absent, please let me know and I can follow up by phone and help where needed.

    Don and I are drafting an instruction sheet for the new kindling splitter.  Once accepted by the Committee, training will be conducted and members signed off to operate this machinery.  Hearing and eye protection will be mandatory.

    On a general note, I think we can do better with the use of Protective gear such as ear defenders and safety glasses.  Tim leads by example, but some members seem reluctant to protect their hearing, perhaps in the belief that as they are already deaf it can’t be helped.