At our recent Steering Committee meeting it was raised by two of the Committee that members would like to have more information as to our progress. The Secretary proposed that we begin a series of newsletters to address this very important issue. This then is Newsletter Number 1.
One of the problems we have in trying to disseminate information to our members is the physical one of distribution. We really cannot afford to be mailing out letters through Australia Post each time. I am emailing this newsletter to all those for whom I have an email address, and would ask that they pass the word around that there is a newsletter available, and if they have an email address, please advise same to one of the above committee members. Another option for members to access the newsletter, which of course is still restricted to those with a computer, is to read it on the our web-page at www.woodgatebeach.org.au/local-organisations/men-shed
Our dealings with the bureaucracy continue. The latest round had us really concerned. The DERM looked as if they would knock back our application for a small piece of land on the Community Reserve because there was no Management Plan in place for the Reserve!
Fortunately, through strong representation by the Town Planner appointed by the BRC to guide us through the mountains of rules and regulations, he was able to come to our rescue and sort the issues out. As long as we comply with all BRC rules we should be OK. We have to do this under the Building Application process anyway.
In our dealings with the BRC we have been told that one of our problems is that there is no plan in place for the township, let alone the Recreation Reserve! But low and behold the plan that WAS in existence under the Isis Shire Council has now been located.
Our President must be complimented on his tenacity in getting over the many hurdles we have faced. Graham has constantly been on the phone to BRC to remind them that Woodgate Men’s Shed will not go away. He and the Secretary have had to sit through many long and tedious sessions with BRC. At times it seemed to be 1 step forward, 3 steps back. A lesser person would have thrown his hands up in frustration and disgust, many months ago. Well done Blackie.
On a positive note, we are now an incorporated body and consequently our “Set of Rules”, has also been approved by the Office of Fair Trading and our official name is Woodgate Men’s Shed Inc. This means that we can, and have, taken the first steps to become an autonomous body, but still under the sponsorship of the local RSL Sub Branch for now. We have established our own bank account with the Commonwealth Bank in
Childers and are now in the process of applying for an ABN. From a sponsor’s point of view this all means that we are a registered Not for Profit Organisation and a Deductible Gift Recipient organization. In other words any gifts/donations to us are tax deductible.
In the meantime we have begun to set up a temporary shed at 1 Wattle Street in the garage of our Treasurer Ken Andrews. This requires some tidying up and sorting out of the electrics. In our first “meeting’ on Tuesday 14th February a small start was made towards achieving this.
OUR NEXT MEETING, to continue to develop 1 Wattle Street into our temporary home will be on TUESDAY 27th MARCH 9am – 1pm. A simple morning tea will be available.
The donations keep coming in, Woodgate Beach Hardware and Hire (Dennis and Di) have been strong supporters and we can best thank them by buying local. Individuals have donated items and indicated to us that tools, wood lathes, etc, will be handed over to us. Our problem is one of storage. If anyone has a large empty garage/shed that we could utilize until our own Shed is up and running – please let us know. (See the contact details on the letterhead above) As far as predicting a date as to when we will have a shed – it all depends on the various levels of the bureaucracy. But it is doubtful that we will be in our own premises before Christmas!!
NEXT MEETING: TIME; 9AM - 1PM
DATE; TUESDAY 27th MARCH
PLACE; 1 WATTLE STREET
Max Emery
Secretary