NEWSLETTER May 2026
“TO INSPIRE HOPE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITY”
Hello from the “Chair“
First - a very warm welcome to all new Men’s Shed Members, we have room for you all. If you have
any difficulties, please let me know and we will see how we can work this out together.
All Newcastle Men’s Shed members will be rightly proud of the results from the woodwork section in the
Newcastle Show, our entries are still on display at Kings Road for you to come and have look. Now is
the right time to put your thinking cap on to prepare an entry for 2027 Newcastle Show.
Thanks to members who turned out to help:
Collecting the Car Port from Medowie
“Newcastle Arts Bazaar” St. Therese’s School Hall, Set up/pack up.
Bunnings Easter BBQ, it was a very busy night , all went very well.
Newcastle Dolls Fair, Lambton High School/ set up/pack up.
All very good and enjoyable events, Good Bonding Experience for Menshed Members –
We are looking at shielding our garden from the railway yard weed control, to do this I think clear roof
sheet material. If members have access to good second-hand material, please let us know.
Keep enjoying the Men’s Shed
Andy
Monday: Ukulele Classes
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Location: Kings Road Shed New Lambton - There has been a great response for these beginner’s
Ukulele classes held in the demountable building at the Kings Road Shed. This is a short 1-hour class,
… speak to Greg or email the Shed: newcastleshed@gmail.com
Tuesday: Lunches
Time: 12:00pm
Location: alternates between Beaumont St Hamilton & Kings Rd New Lambton Sheds
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.
newcastleshed@gmail.com
Wednesday: Band Practice The Newcastle Men’s Shed Band “Not Dead Yet”
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Kings Road Shed New Lambton – The Newcastle Men’s Shed band, “Not Dead Yet” The
guys have recently been entertaining for several aged care homes with great responses and return
bookings., if you are interested in auditioning for the band please contact Chris Latham or email the
Shed: newcastleshed@gmail.com
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Thursday: Thai Chi Classes
Time: 8:15am
Location: Kings Road Shed New Lambton – Held in the Recreation Room (article page 3)
Thursday: Acoustic Sessions
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Location: Kings Road Shed New Lambton – Currently being held in the Recreation Room at the
Kings Road 2 nd , 3 rd & 4 th Thursday of the month at our Kings Road Shed, 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 info contact Wayne: 0421 249 836 or Greg: 0432 792 915 or email
the Shed: newcastleshed@gmail.com
Friday: Games Day
Time: from 9:00am
Location: Kings Road Shed New Lambton – Held in the Recreation Room Card games, Chess,
Dominos, Rummy King, Chinese Checkers, Uno, Jigsaw Puzzles and more.
The Obelisk Hill-Arcadia Park Landcare -News item.
The Obelisk Hill-Arcadia Park Landcare has been around for fifteen years restoring native vegetation to
the surrounds of Obelisk Hill, Arcadia Park, King Edward Park and more recently in Nesca Park.
In Nesca Park Landcare has been removing weed growth from the bushland surrounds of the park and
replacing it with native trees, shrubs and grasses endemic to the area. With a view to improving the
biodiversity of the park Landcare was successful in receiving a City Community Environmental Grant to
assist with weed clearing and the installation of Eastern Rosella nesting boxes, the introduction of
native bee pollinators, and educational signage.
Our group were delighted to learn that the Newcastle Men’s Shed were able to make the nesting boxes
for us. With Greg’s assistance ten such boxes were beautifully made and have since been hung
throughout the mature bushland surrounding Nesca Park.
Thanks Wayne, Greg, and the team at Newcastle Men’s Shed
Best wishes
Bob Clifton, Coordinator of the Obelisk Hill Arcadia Park Landcare
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MENTORING AT THE MENS SHED
Since 2018 the NMS 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 mentoring 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”
Tai Chi classes at The Men's Shed
Held Thursday mornings 8:30am at the Kings Road Shed, New Lambton in the demountable building…
Thanks to the leader of this class Steve Bullard with help from Mick McMahon.
Tai Chi (or Taijiquan) is an ancient Chinese martial art, often described as "meditation in motion" due to
its slow, gentle, and flowing movements combined with deep breathing and mindfulness. It strengthens
body and mind, improves balance, and enhances overall well-being, making it popular for stress
reduction and health improvement among all ages, particularly older.
Key aspects of Tai Chi include:
Mind-Body Connection:
It focuses on coordinating movement with breath and cultivating mental calmness.
Health Benefits:
Practicing Tai Chi can reduce stress, increase muscle strength, improve posture,
enhance balance and boost stability.
Accessible Exercise:
It is often recommended for managing conditions like arthritis and reducing the risk of falls.
Origins & Philosophy:
Rooted in Chinese philosophy, it embodies the principles of Yin and Yang, balancing grace
with inner strength.
Movement Types:
It involves practicing a sequence of movements known as a "form".
It is frequently used as a low-impact, therapeutic exercise that promotes relaxation and the flow of
energy (Qi) within the body.
Please note:
Consult your doctor or a healthcare professional before beginning Tai Chi particularly if you have a pre-
existing medical condition, are over a certain age, or have not exercised in a long time.
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Brian Newman, Stumpy Talbot, Geoff McIver, Steve Bullard, Martin Reush and Mick McMahon reduce stress at
Kings Road Shed
2026 FUNDRAISER FOR THE CANCER COUNCIL
Join us on Tuesday 26 th May 2026 for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea at our Kings Road New
Lambton Shed Recreation Room.
Members Breakfast. 8:00am – 9.00am, Bacon & Egg Rolls, Coffee/Tea………… $5.00 donation.
Cold Drinks, $2.00
10:00am – MT $5.00 donation, could members wives / partners, bring a plate of goodies if able
please .Tea/Coffee available. Cold drinks, $2.00.
We want all members and wives /partners /kids/grandkids/neighbours /friends to come along.
About 10.30am We will have a presentation ,discussion on Skin Cancer. We will be joined by
Andrew Montenarri, a retired doctor with the Australin Skin Cancer Clinic.
1 in 2 Australians are impacted by cancer in one way or another, every dollar raised makes an
incredible difference to those lives impacted by Cancer.
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State of Origin 2026
All 3 games of the 2026 NRL State of Origin can be viewed on a big screen in our recreation area at
TV at Kings Road Shed. Assortment of snacks will be on the menu . members to BYO choice of
beverages.
Game I Wednesday 27 th May Sydney’s Accor Stadium
Game II Wednesday 17 th Melbourne’s June MCG
Game III Wednesday 8 th July Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium
Can and Bottle Collection Fund Raising
Can you help us with fund raising?
Yes you can by donating your empty recyclable aluminium cans, plastic and glass soft drink bottles,
every week we have members who donate cans and bottles to the shed that have a 10c refund. That
may not seem much, but when you think about it, it all adds up. We have bins put in place at both
sheds and also a number of businesses in the community where we do a collection run…
Things to remember when donating your empty recyclable drink containers…
Don’t crush aluminium cans and plastic bottles.
Don’t soak the labels off glass bottles as they have a refund barcode.
Don’t donate Wine and Spirit bottles as they do not have a return value in NSW.
We would like to give a big call out to members James Alder and Alan Bell who do the collection run
every week. Monies collected are being used for purchasing consumables for the school students from
Callaghan College Wallsend .
If you would like to donate your refundable cans and bottles you can drop them off at Kings Road Shed.
Also, members that would like to get involved with the collection run please speak with James Alder
and Alan Bell…or email the Shed: newcastleshed@gmail.com
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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 team have been working hard
nurturing, weeding, watering, and beautifying the Kings Road site.
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.
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A message from the Gardening Team
Members may not be aware the produce that is grown in our Kings Road Gardens is not a casual grab
for members to take as they please...Taking the produce before it's maturity is counterproductive and
stops other members from sharing the bounty of our hard earned efforts...Much of the fresh produce
grown in our gardens have contributed to our lunches we hold on Tuesdays, by the means of fresh
Salads, Soups and Stews, also delicious Pickles and Chutneys made by some of our members...If you
would like to benefit from our wonderful produce, please ask the gardening team first...
Ask and you shall receive... If it’s available
Beaumont Street Hamilton
In our store at 99 Beaumont Street Hamilton, we have an arrangement of many items that have been
crafted from repurposed woods and materials ranging from, Wood Turned Bowls and Ballpoint Pens,
Handmade Wooden Toys, Serving Boards, Charcuterie Boards, Cheese/Cutting Boards & Cheese
Knife Blocks, Letter Boxes, Brush Tail & Ring Tail Possum Boxes and Rosella Boxes and many more
Items…
We do a vast array of repairs and modifications, from small pieces of furniture to tables and display
cabinets. (Turnaround times for repairs and modifications will depend on the item and current
workload)
Please be advised that orders may need to be placed on certain items for sale in the NMS Shop and
will require a minimum 25% deposit when ordering.
If there are any members that would like to participate and help out in the Beaumont Street shop
please speak to Eddie Horn or Wayne Grant for more information, any help would be greatly
appreciated.
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Possum and Bird Nesting Boxes
We are looking for members that would like to be part of this on-going project, if you can’t assemble,
paint or not so handy with wood, don’t worry, we can teach you as these are not that difficult to build. If
you would like to be part of this project please let Wayne, Greg, Glenn or Eddie know… or email the
Shed: newcastleshed@gmail.com
- Left: This is Rudy a Brushtail Possum that took up residence in one of our Possum Boxes in Armidale
- Right: Rosella Nesting Boxes hand built with recycled timber by the students from Callaghan College.
NEWCASTLE SHOW 2026.
MICK WHATLEY’S ENTRY
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MICK WHATLEY’S ENTRIES ABOVE.
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STAN BROWNE and EDDIE HORNS ENTRIES
STAN’S WOODTURNING.
Some recent projects.
Mud Kitchen for Day Care
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Carrington P.S.Chicken Coop Decorative Apple and Pear.
Utility Box
Adamstown P.S. Garden Beds