Welcome to the Flowerdale Men's Shed
We've been in operation for almost a decade now. Blokes Helping Blokes - Where men of the community can spend time engaged in manual crafts and be socially active.
There's always a project that needs work on ...
The basic premise of each Men's Shed is to provide a local and informal space where the men of the community can spend time engaged in manual crafts such as woodworking, metal work, or restoration of furniture, objects and machines.
It's a space for men to be social, active, form friendships and allow new opportunities and interactions in their lives.
Projects Projects Projects
The members at our shed always have a project on the go, small or large. Anyone can liaise with key members to find out more about local community projects that are on the go at any time. Generally the shed activities include: social networking opportunities, a space to safely work on personal projects, projects for community needs, or learning a wide variety of working tools.
Wood Work
Some members have amazing skills of making items from wood, and projects may include cabinetry, furniture making, wood carving, joinery, carpentry, and woodturning.
Garden Projects
Behind the big black colorbond shed is a secure outdoor and sectioned garden area - Our members have found gardening projects to have positively impacted their lives with access healthy food, encouraged physical activity, and more. Through real social interaction, our members have strengthened their mental health.
Metal Work & Welding
Undertake projects for the shed and for member's projects. Training is available in use of various metal working equipment. Welding is also undertaken as required. Talk to a member today and find out more.
Current Services and Projects
Focus on Teamwork
A positive and encouraging place no matter the ability. Strong focus on skill building, supporting one another and working together.
Woodwork Projects
Production of various objects using simple woodwork machines and tools e.g. wooden tables, stools, boxes, photo frames, tee square, pot stand, book rack, book stand, shelf, etc.
Metal work projects
Metalworking projects generally fall under the categories of forming, cutting, and joining, and may involve techniques such as cutting, welding, casting, and moulding. We may have a project in this area underway that you can take part in or learn from.
Log splitter
The Log Splitter can be rented by any community member. Safety is paramount when using this equipment. Operational guide is included. T&Cs apply. Ask a key member for more information.
UGFM - a great partner to the Flowerdale Men's Shed
<https://www.ugfm.org/program-guide/>
Our Team
2024-2025 Committee Members
David Thompson - President*
Dom Moollan - Secretary*
John Brown - Treasurer*
Committee Members - Donald Todd, Gary Leather, John Jarvis and Greg Newland*
David Thompson
President
Gary Leather
Vice President / Bloke of the Year 2023-2024
John Brown
Treasurer
Dominique Moollan
Secretary
Donald Todd
Committee Member
Greg Newland
Committee Member
2024 Xmas Celebrations
Flowerdale Men's Shed - end of year get together
To celebrate another great year of achievements the shed team put on an amazing menu with Meat donated by Laurie Fitzpatrick our local electrician. All salads provided by the member's partners. So much work went into the the setup. Thanks to all who contributed. The amazing Honour Board was finally constructed and launched under bright spotlights much to the amazement of the crowd who were able to make it this year. Thanks once again to our current President for organising this great piece of history we can now add names to. And Bloke of the Year was awarded to Donald Love, a member who has always gone above and beyond to take part in and help out with all activities run by the shed team. Well done Donald! (Featured in the fluro vest)
FAQs
- How Many Members do you currently have? - 30
- How much does it cost to join? - $40.00 p.a.
- Are there any extra costs? - $3.00 every time you visit the Shed which covers incidentals. We are looking to add a tap and go option soon, as not everyone has cash on themselves these days.
- Do you organise social events for Members? - YES. Ideas are shared with members, the committee and organised accordingly.
- Do you have a trailer accessible for members? - Yes this Men's Shed is fortunate to have a 6x4ft caged trailer available FREE for members. It is kept in good working order.
- What happens if I arrive at the shed and it's not open? - Members are kept up to date on who is contactable to be able to be on site if necessary.
- What are the Shed Opening Hours? Wednesdays and Saturdays - see the opening hours info (Times are flexible and please note that for safety reasons it is advised to always have 2 people on site at any time).
- Do you have a Defibrillator on site? YES for the safety of anyone on site, a compliant Defibrillator is accessible near the entrance (inside the building).
Links
Key Websites and Resources handy for Mens Shed Members
Thank you
Our Shed members have earned the trust and satisfaction from many community members, all over Flowerdale and neighbouring townships, by providing reliable, high-quality support and service.
Contact Us (Shed located at "Temp Village" old google map reference
Address
Flowerdale Temp Village, 748 Spring Valley Rd, Flowerdale VIC 3717, Australia
Phone
+61404494650ABN
71309226958
Operating Hours
Wednesdays 9am to 3pm (Flexible)
Saturdays 10am to 1pm (Flexible)
Mini Golf Success - Community Event
Let’s begin at the beginning
The Flowerdale Community House supports all community groups and its members. The Flowerdale Sports Club Inc was just one of the successful grant recipients. The Sports club recruited Gary Leather from the Men’s Shed to come up with a mini golf design. The Flowerdale men’s Shed was proud to jointly support and deliver this locally led project to further foster community connections and a sense of belonging in the Flowerdale community.
Project in Action
Check out this amazing Mini Golf Course that Gary Leather has made for the Sports Club!!! Hours and hours of work has gone into this amazingly detailed and fun course. It's got some exceptional elements going on including a volcano and and a toilet!!! Lol.
Flowerdale Lawn Bowls / Tennis and Mini Golf Event
It’s a challenge to endure, so grit your teeth for the adventure ahead. There is a volcano, training loo and dinosaurs have invaded the course with a T Rex who has brought his friends with part of the course still under construction with trucks at some of the greens and bunkers. Watch out for the frogs in a pond, koalas and echidna and oh yes, watch out for the snakes and spiders just part of the Flowerdale landscape that we at times face in real life LOL. Tricky greens and slopes. All the kids who attended were certainly up for the game. Even the parents had a great time
October FMS News
This Month's newsletter (October 2024)
The Shed Wireless, a podcast for Shedders
The Shed Wireless podcast is produced by the Australian Men’s Shed Association and hosted by John Paul Young, for the love of shedding.
<https://mensshed.org/the-shed-wireless/>
Community House Open Day 2024
The Flowerdale Men's Shed will be taking part in this year's Community House Open Day with a BBQ on offer to all attendees.
This will be a fundraising exercise and we hope to attract more new members and inform the community of the shed's projects and services available.
Men's Shed BBQ Support
Every 3rd Sunday of the month if the weather does not stop the show, the Flowerdale Sports Club hosts a Lawn Bowls community event at the Sports Reserve on Spring Valley road, not far form the big black colorbond Men's Shed.
The community have an opportunity to get together and socialise. The bowling green has been cleaned, marked and stocked with lawn bowls gear to host as many as 6 teams to play on the green. There are outdoor kids games and now round robin tennis (run by the Tennis Club). Our bloke of the year , Gary Leather, created a 7 hole mini golf course as an added addition to the activities enjoyed by all on the day.
Dom, a member also of the Tennis club looked after the BBQ at the monthly event. The Sports Club Convenor came up with a great idea, .... perhaps the Men's Shed could officially take over the BBQ meal component of the monthly community event.
The Men's shed Secretary, Dom Moollan is usually at the ready to run the BBQ at the event (still in his tennis gear) but in 2025 the Shed will have an opportunity to officially take charge of this part of the community activity and fund raise even more.
New Promo Item - Flowerdale Men's Shed
Postcard size Promotional cards have been distributed around Flowerdale to attract new members and inform the community about the Shed.
The QR code was created when the postcards were printed but the old site could not be deactivated so we are in the process of adding the updated website URL to the current batch in circulation so as not to confuse readers.
Show & Shine 2024 Community Event
The Flowerdale Men's Shed will be in charge of the car parking on the day with a gold coin donation to assist the shed in raising more funds to keep projects on the go and give back to the community when and where possible.
We will have a well marked area for all visitors on the day and a roster of members on hand to guide cars safely to the car parking area. Should be a great day.
Let's hope the weather puts on a show also on the day!
Car Enthusiasts are encouraged to book their prized possessions early to secure a spot.
There will be many activities on the day available for the community to enjoy including mini golf (built by our Bloke of the Year, Gary Leather), lawn bowls, kids games, round robin tennis, catering provided by the Tennis Club members and more.