“TO INSPIRE HOPE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITY”
July 2025 Membership Renewal Yes, it’s that time of year again. Your membership renewal is now due. $40.00 covers the cost of your public liability insurance as well as the daily costs of Tea, Coffee
facilities at both sites. Please pay James Hart, Treasurer, Wayne or use Eftpos facility at Hamilton. Just a reminder you need to be financial for voting in the upcoming AGM, which will be held on Tuesday 19th August, 2025, please keep this date in your diary, ask for a receipt if you need one… We’d also like to give a warm welcome to all of our new member and remind new member that have joined recently are covered for 25/26 m/ship. If you require a new shirt, short sleeve Polo Shirts are $20 each and long or short sleeve Drill Shirts are $27 each, please see Wayne Grant and give him your shirt size for your order, you can email or ask Wayne for bank details to pay direct debit.
Headstart ABI Services Newcastle Men’s Shed will be holding activity days at Headstart ABI Services in Hamilton South, Wayne Grant and Mick Whatley visited the centre in mid-July conducting a workshop painting and building flat packs into wooden toys. These workshops aim to provide a supportive and engaging environment for people with Acquired Brain Injuries, allowing them to connect with others, develop new skills, and experience a sense of accomplishment. Headstart and NMS are working together to create opportunities for people with ABI to participate in meaningful activities and build connections within the community. The workshops will be a regular event with new projects each month.
1 This year we ran another successful Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea held at our Kings Road New Lambton Shed on Tuesday 27th May starting with Breakfast from 8:00am – 9.00am with Bacon & Egg Rolls, Coffee/Tea and Cold Drinks. The Biggest Morning Tea commenced at 10:30am with a magnificent array of Slices, Cakes, Biscuits, Coffee/Tea/Cold and Drinks. We had over 48 in attendance and the event raised over $500 for the Cancer Council…Thanks to all who contributed donations and to those who assisted with the preparation on the day.
State of Origin 2025 All 3 games of the 2025 State of Origin NRL games were viewed on a big screen TV at Kings Road Shed. Tasty Hot Dogs, Party Meat Pies & Sausage Rolls and assortment of snacks, were on the menu including members bringing their BYOG choice of amber beverages. With the cosy warmth of a fire pit on the night, thus giving a great atmosphere to the evening and it proved to be an excellent gathering. Those who didn’t get a chance to attend this year there with be an opportunity to host it again next season.
The Shed Wireless “The Shed Wireless" is a podcast created by the Australian Men's Shed Association hosted by TV, Radio and music personality, John Paul Young. This is a podcast for "Shedders" and covers topics relevant to Men Sheds, including Sheds, Tools, Tips and Men's Health and wellbeing. With special guests and the men who participate in Men's Sheds… https://mensshed.org/the-shed-wireless/ 2 ShedFEST Newcastle and National Volunteer Week ShedFEST Newcastle was a festival of all things shedding organised by AMSA NSW. The day kicked off with a Breakfast BBQ hosted by Blue Gum Hills Men’s Shed (20 Ganney Rd, Wallsend – just a short drive from Wallsend Diggers). Following a brilliant Bacon & Egg roll with coffee, the shedders were entertained by Newcastle Men’s Shed acoustic group, “The Shed Heads”. Some members of local sheds then headed to Wallsend Diggers to talk the latest in shedding, launching the new initiative Shed Talks, to check out shed displays and of course plenty of networking. Shedders from around NSW were invited to attend. * ShedFEST Newcastle is supported by Fair Dinkum Builds and Bastion Group. NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK SHEDDER’S DINNER The National Volunteer Week Shedder’s Dinner was held at Wallsend Diggers on Wednesday 21 May. Main meal followed by a light dessert, and entertainment from Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed Band.
Several awards were awarded on the night: Newcastle Men’s Shed received an award for Over and Above for the Shed and Community, in recognition of our High School Mentoring Program, now in its 6th year. This is held weekly through the school year where we have up to 8 students from Callaghan College at Wallsend complete the program over 2 terms. We have helped in excess of 100 students in that time. Some have gone on to receive $2000 scholarships and entry into Trade College or entered into an Apprenticeship. The NMS mentors do a terrific job guiding and teaching students, safety and skills in metalwork, welding and woodworking. Kevin Moon, Mick Whatley, Mick McMahon, Greg Gunther, Wayne Grant, Russell Stretton, Greg Blake, Andy Peters & Leo Kolmajer
3 - Award received by Newcastle Men’s Shed - The Shed Heads at Blue Gum Hills MS - Ian Williams, Wayne Grant, Mick McMahon, Sid Brown, Greg Gunther & Ray Moos * Our National Volunteer Week celebrations are supported by AMSA’s major partner, Fair Dinkum Builds 4
Xmas in July 2025 This year’s Christmas in July held at Kings Road Shed on Saturday 12th July with more than 60 members and some families were in attendance. The night proved to be a great evening with lashings of great food which included delicious roast meats, vegetables and gravy with wonder spread of tasty deserts supplied by guests. The atmosphere was very much cosy with fire pits to help keep off the cold… Great entertainment by a special guest, Greg Mason and also the Newcastle Men’s Shed Band “Not Dead Yet” and a guest appearance by Newcastle Men’s Shed’s most recent music combo “The Shed Heads” performing “The Men’s Shed Song” an original song written and composed by members Wayne Grant, Greg Mason and Greg Gunther. There was a lot of organizing for this event, so big shout out the all that helped with the preparation, well done. 5 \ - The Newcastle Men’s Shed Band “Not Dead Yet” Mentor Support Network*& Callaghan College Wallsend Camus Since 2018 the NMS in conjunction with the Mentor Support Network* has provided mentoring opportunities for students from Callaghan College Wallsend Campus. This consists of basic workshop skills like woodworking, metalworking, and assisting in community projects and other organisations while also providing a place for the development social interaction skills… Anyone with skills they would like to share and are interested in the mentoring program please speak with Wayne or Greg or email the Shed: newcastleshed@gmail.com “What you share today could help build a better tomorrow”
6 We have a wonderful team that have built a community garden area with projects that have given an outstanding transformation to our Kings Road New Lambton Shed. The garden team is led by Brent Hutchinson and along with members Craig Berry, Bernie Flynn, Andy Peters, Paul Crotty, Gordon Smith, Les Kiss and Greg Gunther… .- Here are some examples of the fine produce being grown at Kings Road Gardens. 7 The team have been working hard nurturing, weeding, watering, and beautifying the Kings Road site, from raised Garden Beds, an amazing Green House, stunning Garden Furniture and Wishing Wells is a site to behold… With amazing crops of Capsicums, Tomatoes, Eggplants, Pumpkins, Sweet Potato, Chokos, Spring Onion, Lettuce, Beans, Snow Peas, Silver Beet, Beetroot, Sweet Basil, Garlic, Ginger and various Chillies this Spring and Summer just gone. A fantastic effort was put in by all members involved and we have been able to deliciously reap the rewards with not only fresh produce, but also with members Pickling Chillies, making Tomato Chillie Relish and Chokos Pickles with the addition of having produce at our weekly lunches and Kings Road and Hamilton Sheds… We are looking for members that would like to be part of this project and this is a perfect way to take a break, get back to nature and de-stress. This project is getting bigger so if you have a green thumb dust off your gardening gloves Slip, Slop, Slap and dig in! If you would like to know more, please speak with one of the gardening team. - Raised Garden Beds are a main feature at Kings Road Gardens
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint Thanks to a generous grant from Port Waratah Coal Services we have been able to complete our Goal of Solar Power for our Kings Road Premise… We now have 16 Panels producing around 30 + KW per day, this along with our Heat Pump hot water systems, our 23000 Litres of water Storage Tanks; which we use for our Gardens to produce veggies for our members and to help supply Healthy Low cost Lunches once a week for members… We also have Bio Waste, Worm Farms, clear roofing panels (to save on electrical usage) and a lucrative recycle program .
Recycled timbers are extensively used to make many items that we sell in our Beaumont Street Shop front. There is also a Cans & Bottle Recycle group which we collect from several hotels and unit complexes that goes towards our Student Mentoring Program. All this is to help us in Reducing our Carbon Footprint. 8 More than a Cheap Lunch We are very fortunate to have a fresh lunch every Tuesday that alternates between Beaumont St Hamilton and Kings Rd New Lambton Sheds. For just $5 prepared on the day, members can enjoy healthy fresh salads, cold meats on fresh rolls and breads, BBQ’s and Hot Soups Stews and Spaghetti and Meatballs. Every week we sit and break bread, as the saying goes, not only is it a healthy meal it also gives members a chance to meet new members, discuss what projects that are happening and share tips on tools, skills and offer help where needed… We are always looking for volunteers to help out on the day with food preparation, set up and clear up, for more information speak to Greg Gunther or James Hart or email the Shed:
Amazing Talent in the Newcastle Men’s Shed We are very fortunate to have quite a few talented members with musical abilities ranging from; Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Drums & Percussion, Saxophone, Harmonica, Banjo and Ukulele, as well as a number of vocalists… The Newcastle Men’s Shed band, “Not Dead Yet” consists of retired musicians that have played professionally, with a huge variety of material ranging from Rock, Blues, Country, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Folk, Alternate and every variation in between, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The band has performed for a number of fundraising event and also featured in our Christmas, Christmas in July and other functions at our Kings Road Shed…Band rehearsals are held at Kings Road New Lambton on Wednesdays at 1pm and normally goes for 2 - 3 hours … On Thursday mornings 9:00am - 11:30am we have an Acoustic Sessions in the demountable building at the Kings Road, this is a perfect way for members that are musically inclined to gather round and have a no pressure jam session. This is also a great opportunity to share songs, techniques and above all chill out and destress. The sessions are open to all members who would like to participate, so if you play an instrument, percussion, sing or write songs come along… for more information contact Wayne: 0421 249 836 or Greg: 0432 792 915 or email the Shed: newcastleshed@gmail.com
9 The Shed Heads The Shed Heads are an unplugged acoustic Contemporary Country Blues group that formed out of our weekly Thursday morning Acoustic Sessions at our Kings Road Shed. In early August the “The Shed Heads” will be heading to the studio to record “The Men’s Shed Song” and members Ian Williams, Guy Hickey, Greg Gunther, Sid Brown, Mick McMahon, Ray Moos, Ken Crotty, Steve Bullard, Wayne Grant, Greg Mason and Manny Cini are in preparation for this great opportunity… “The Men’s Shed Song” an original song written over 10 years ago by members Wayne Grant and Greg Mason then recently in 2023 the current music was composed by Greg Gunther putting a new catchy twist to the song… Early September The Shed Heads will be heading for Queensland to perform live in concert at Coolum Men’s Shed and Coolum-Peregian RSL ShedMusic '25 Festival… for more info: https://www.facebook.com/p/ShedMusic-61556351821471/ - The Shed Heads heading to ShedMusic 25 Ian Williams, Guy Hickey, Greg Gunther, Sid Brown, & Mick McMahon ShedMusic 25 Coolum Men’s Shed Coolum Men’s Shed and Coolum-Peregian RSL are proud to present ShedMusic '25, a community music festival that promotes health and wellbeing through the power of music. This Music for Health initiative, in partnership with Coolum-Peregian RSL, will take place from Friday, 5th to Sunday, 7th September 2025 at the Coolum-Peregian RSL… for more info: https://www.qmsa.org.au/events/85uusdirw5q2cfrc3tucrwwltp1u0v
10 Donations to the NMS that we do not need There are a lot a generous people in our community that love to help by offering donations to the NMS, as much as we appreciate these wonderful contributions, sometimes we are offered thing that do not suit our needs. We suggest they can be given away through Newcastle Freecycle Town Group… The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 5,355 Town Groups with 10,547,772 members across the globe. It is a grassroots and entirely 100% non-profit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and this is keeping good things out of landfills… Membership is FREE and everything posted must be FREE, legal and appropriate for all ages. To view the items been given away or sought in Newcastle, you must be a member of your local town group. For more information contact The Freecycle Network™ website: https://www.freecycle.org/ Some of the Organisations we work with: Mentor Support Network Got Your Back Sister Hunter Animal Rescue Newcastle and Hunter Valley Doll Lovers Novocastrian Quilters Upcycle Newcastle Newcastle Share Shop Newcastle Rowing Club Newcastle Dragonboat Club Hunter Arts Network Newcastle Lifeblood Siones Foundation Zara’s House Hunter and Central Coast AFL Our Supporter and sponsors through 2024/25 include: NSW Transport Westpac Bank Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Port Waratah Coal Wests Group McCloy’s Foundation Bendigo Bank The Local Hamilton Business Improvement Association Aurizon Rail Tyrex Ramps Eagle Boys Plumbing Darren Worpel Electrical Bunnings Kotara Uniting Aged Care, Anglican aged Care Hunter Concrete C of N Carpet Court
11 Newcastle Men’s Shed Committee 2024/2025 President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Committee: Public Officer: First Aid Officer: IT Coordinator: Eddie Horn Wayne Grant James Hart Bernie Flynn Andy Peters Leigh Marshall Ken Harris Mick Whatley Russell Stretton Test and Tag Committee: Drew Davison, Leigh Marshall Grants: Welfare officer: Eddie Horn, Wayne Grant Mike Broadsmith
How can I join The Newcastle Men’s Shed? call in and see us at: 143A Kings Road New Lambton NSW 2305 - access via the laneway 99 Beaumont Street Hamilton NSW 2303 - next to the Westpac bank or rear access off Murray Street PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE WESTPAC CAR PARK Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 1pm mobile: 0434 000 936 email: newcastleshed@gmail.com website: https://www.newcastlemensshed.com Please be advised that all The Newcastle Men’s Shed Newsletter editorials, information, photos and images are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change. Email submissions to the next NMS Newsletter to be received no later than October 30th 2025 newcastleshed@gmail.com Our Sponsors Copyright © 2025 Newcastle Men’s Shed. All Rights Reserved. ABN: 624 047 00128 Newcastle Men's
