Meeting 21 June
In addition to the extended absences previously noted we had apologies from Sam Capra and John Pillay who may have been in Hobart marking the Winter Solstice.
We had an interesting presentation from Lakhena Prak on her life growing up in Cambodia, Lak met Max Bunter, Joe Cauchi and Jim Rudling when volunteering to help out at a Cambodia Vision Eye Camp. She then applied and received a scholarship to study at Western Sydney University. She has now graduated and is now studying for her Masters Degree and hopes to gain a teaching position .
Meeting 28 June
Apologies were received from Rinna Ly and Charles Hili
We had a presentation from Alvan Freeman on the work that members of the Liverpool District Mens Shed have been doing in the community over the past year, starting with an update on their Ferrington Park project to build the Ferrington Park.
This was a project proposed to Liverpool City Council by the residents of Ferrington Crescent. To do this the Council required that the project be done by volunteers and for which the Council provided a substantial grant for the neighbours who organised themselves as the Ferrington Collective.. However, the Council also required that
there be an incorporated body overseeing the project and in particular ensuring that the grant money was used wisely. The Council suggested that the Men’s Shed would fit the bill. We took on the job on a pro bono basis. The Men’s Shed also provided advice on the park construction as well as the physical labour and knowhow to make it happen. The Ferrington Crescent residents were delighted with the outcome.
The gazebo is in constant use for morning teas, picnics and for meetings of the Ferrington Collaborative which is the group of neighbours in Ferrington Close.
AUTISM HOUSE PROJECT
Another project they took on related to two students of the Autism Advisory and Support Service in Liverpool pioneered by Grace Fava.
The children, who are siblings, were orphaned with their father and mother dying in quick succession and they were living with an uncle. The uncle was living in rented accommodation and the lease was about to run out. The uncle had planned to move the children back to their parents’ home but because the house had fallen into disrepair, there was more work than he could pay for or do himself. The major problem was that there had been a solar heating system on the roof that heated the water for the swimming pool.
Of course, the system leaked and vast areas of the interior of the house suffered from mould and had to be treated and painted. About half of the ceilings in the house had to be treated, undercoated with stain sealing paint and top coated
Other difficulties were encountered which made a big job bigger. Some of the walls also had mould and needed the same treatment as the ceilings.
Adding to the difficulties was the need to move furniture around to be able to get to the areas that were to be painted.
This wall was indicative of most of the bedrooms which had large posters previously stuck on with “blue tack” which had to have its own special preparation treatment before they could receive a top coat.
In the lounge room the flue for the fireplace must have had a leak such that the ceiling was covered in black soot which had to be cleaned before it could be painted.
In the master bedroom there had been a wall mounted TV which had been taken down. The mounting bolts were removed, and the wall patched.
The whole job was a massive effort for Shed members. It is a community job we are proud of. The Autism Advisory Service supplied the materials, we supplied the labour and expertise – free of charge. Now the 2 autistic children and their uncle have a sound & freshly painted home to live in - and we wish them well.
THE SCARECROW
Selma, the head of the Ceramics Group at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
She came to us with a design drawing for a Scarecrow made out of steel & asked us if we could do the job. It had to be a female scarecrow to complement a male scarecrow which the ceramic group had made some time back.
As you can see the scarecrow has no head. This is where the Ceramics Group is going to exercise their skill in making one. They will also appropriately dress the scarecrow.
You have to use a bit of your imagination - where the arms come down to give the appearance of clasping hands. That ring will eventually hold a bunch of flowers.
We had to make the body so that it could be cemented into the ground at the location where the male scarecrow is. That is what the four pegs at the bottom of the frame are for. This was a paid job which we did at mates rates.
STREET LIBRARY
Street Libraries are beautiful homes for books, which are planted in people’s front yard. They invite their neighbours to share the joys of reading and create lasting connections inside their community. Books come and go; no-one needs to check them in or out. People can simply reach in and take what they want and leave others in return.
However, they are used for many other purposes. One of the first ones we made was for Melanie Gibbons, the State Member for Holsworthy. She used it outside her office in Hammondville where she put her publicity pamphlet’s so that locals could take and read them.
FIJI CONTAINER
PP John Pillay advised that the container of medical supplies, other equipment and other donated items had been packed and is being shipped to Fiji. Special thanks to Shiva Nandan, Pranesh Ram and Sam Capra who worked mid week to load the container. Assistance was also provided by staff from Direct Freight who are also sponsoring the shipping of the container. John and Shiva have arranged to partner with the Western Association of Persons with Disabilities in Lautoka, Fiji to handle the container and distribute the donated goods once they arrive
Fees are unchanged from last year and are $225.00 per annum ($230.00 if paid by Card). They become due on 1 July 2022 and be payable no later than 31 August 2022. Notices and Tax Invoices have been sent to all members. At this time nearly 50% of members have paid their fees.
Club Meetings
Partners and Guests are welcome to attend all meetings.
These are a great chance to introduce potential new members to the Club, members can bring them along to any meeting and the Club will reimburse the introducing Members the cost of their meals for up to three consecutive meetings.
Take advantage of this offer and bring them along
