WELCOME TO THE HIGHFIELDS MEN’S SHED

 

“The Shed is a community-based, non-profit, non-commercial organisation that is accessible to all men and whose primary activity is the provision of a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects.”  AMSA 2017

In late December 2011, three men namely Roy Barnes, Bill Royal and Tim Buckley met at Tim’s place and discussed the idea of a forming Men’s Shed in the Highfields area. A meeting was then organised to establish if there was sufficient interest in the local community to support and promote a Men’s Shed. Fortunately the interest was there in the community.  The inaugural gathering of the Highfields Men’s Shed occurred in January 2012, where Roy Barnes was elected President and John Smith was elected as Treasurer/Secretary. Today (March 2017) there are currently 49 financial members from a variety of different backgrounds and life experiences. For further information on the foundation of the shed, please visit Our History page.

The Shed, is self funded by the members who deliver a wide range of services, with the goal of improving the health and well being of it’s members and to assist men in the local community and surrounding regions who maybe at risk from preventable health issues that may emanate from isolation.

The Shed enjoys strong support from the local community, it particular from it’s major sponsor Aussie Outdoor Sheds & Patios.

The HMS Inc. membership policy strives to maintain responsible behaviour and ethical standards as per the Australian Men’s Sheds Association’s By-Laws ensuring high standards of Membership criteria that will help protect the HMS Inc. brand and reputation.

(L-R: Sam, Gordon, Russ, Owen, Les, Roger, Peter)

PRESIDENT’S REPORT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 13 MARCH 2017

Welcome to the 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM), as this meeting opens it is appropriate that we reflect on the recent passing of Bill Wormwell in January this year. Bill was our fourth member to pass away since our interception in 2012. Previous members that predeceased him were Richard Nairn, Claude Whillock and Gordon Barnes. Bill enthralled many of us with his stories of time spent in the bush and cattle droving.  Bill will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.  I know that Robert Stammers was especially close to Bill, often going fishing with him.  On behalf of the shed members, I have expressed our condolences to his family.

I also welcome all our new members who have joined since the last AGM. Our current financial membership has increased dramatically.  I am advised by the Treasurer Peter Wilson that our financial position is quite sound, however there is the proviso, that we do have a number of accounts coming up in the near future and that we still need to judicious as to how we spend the finances.

The main focus of the executive during the reporting period was to ensure that all the necessary requirements were met to have Toowoomba Regional Council Property Services approve the sheds’, building compliance and accordingly issue the relevant paperwork to occupy the building permanently. I am pleased to report that this was achieved. The focus now will be on improving our shed and the surrounding landscape.  There are a number of tasks which will need to be prioritised, for example a storage shed for the timber, enclosure of the patio for the metal work area and the installation of the dust extraction system.

In addition you will have noticed that several items of machinery and tools have been purchased to upgrade the standard of our existing equipment.  This replacing or upgrading equipment will be an ongoing theme throughout the life of the shed and will only be achievable by the continued support of all members to actively participate in raising funds either through applications for grants, completing repair jobs and/or making items for members of the public, or conducting events such as BBQ’s at Bunnings etc.

I would like to congratulate all members on a job well done over the last 12 months, most notably those members who worked tirelessly on the task of demolishing internal fitting and structures at the old CJR Plumbing Building for Metro Pty Ltd, which raised considerable funds for the Shed.  Which enabled the shed to purchase some of the fore mentioned machinery. On behalf of all members, I thank you.

Very shortly I will declare all positions on the executive committee vacant, but before I do, please be aware that a new position of Welfare Officer has been created.  It has become

apparent, particularly over the last 12 months that such a position is vital to keeping all members informed of the welfare of members in order to visit and/or assist them in whatever way possible during times of absence, illness or hospital stays etc.  To a degree, some members have kept us informed, about those members who have not been able to attend for whatever reason, but unfortunately some have slipped through the cracks.

All positions of the executive committee are now declared vacant. Nominations for re-election or election for the newly created position of Welfare Officer, will now be called for:

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary/Assistant Secretary
4. Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer
5. Shed Coordinator/Assistant Shed Coordinator
6. Welfare Officer

I would ask that you extend your appreciation to all members that have stood down for a job well done, to allow the re-election to proceed and to congratulate those that are elected. If nominated for the position of President, I am willing to accept that nomination.

This coming year holds a lot of promise and excitement in the forthcoming months

On behalf of all members, I would like to extend our appreciate to Metroll Pty Ltd and Aussie Outdoors Shed and Patio’s for their support in being our major sponsors; without which we would not be in the position we are today.

I now call upon Terry Ledbury to take the chair, whilst the re-election for vacancies takes place.  Thank you.

 Richard Creagh