Early History of Northern Men’s Shed Inc.
Our Shed arose from dissatisfaction of many members of the Hume Men’s Shed (Craigieburn) with the policies and management in the years up to and including 2012.
This culminated with the expulsion of members who nominated to stand for election against the incumbent president who was also the minister of the Roxburgh Park Church of Christ (auspicating body for the shed).
Additionally several financial members of the shed were not allowed entry to the 2012 AGM to express their disapproval.
Several discussions were held to judge the feasibility of starting a new alternative Men’s Shed which would be: Democratic; Accountable and Independent.
On 17 January 2013 the Inaugural Meeting was chaired by Casey Nunn, Deputy Mayor Hume City Council at Graeme Pendlebury’s home to for the proposed Hume Community Men’s Shed, (this name was rejected by DOJ as being too similar to the old shed for incorporation purposes), and Northern Men’s Shed Inc. was born.
Formation members were: Michael Towner, Graeme Pendlebury, Ross Pollard, Yuri Majka, Neil Gaffney, Tom Rolls, John Weaver, David Woodgate, Colin Campbell, Heath McKinna, Paul Sumpton, Graeme Wills and Bob Moore.
President Michael Towner, Vice President Graeme Pendlebury, Treasurer Yuri Majka, Secretary Ross Pollard and Directors Tom Rolls, John Weaver, Heath McKinna, Neil Gaffney were nominated and accepted by members in a unanimous vote.
For incorporation it was agreed we adopt the current Standard Rules of Association under Victorian Law.
Membership of the Australian Men’s Shed Association and the Victorian Men’s Shed Association, as well as a comprehensive insurance policy was approved.
The objects of the Shed are to advance the health and well-being of our members by providing a safe and happy environment where skilled and unskilled men can, in the company of other men:
1. Pursue hobbies, pastimes and interests;
2. Learn new skills, practice and pass on old skills;
3. Learn about their own and other men’s health and well-being;
4. By their efforts, contribute to their families, their friends, the Shed and their community.
5. Promote Community Service among members.
The conduct of the Shed is strictly Non Political and Non-Religious.
Our initial meetings were alternated at the homes of Michael Towner, Graeme Pendlebury, Yuri Majka and Ross Pollard. This was quickly seen as impractical and Tom Rolls offered his garage as a short term meeting place until we had our own premises, which at the time Hume Council were indicating this would not be a problem.
So began our initial fundraising using Tom’s to build school benches, Christmas decorations and small pieces for sale. After an approach to Bunning’s Craigieburn we were given two BBQ’s for the year. This grew in the following year to be our greatest source of income thanks to Tom and Peter Broomhead (former president of Craigieburn Rotary) who organised working bees for Bunning’s and secured a large number of Friday BBQ’s (which had less profit than the traditional weekend BBQ’s but returned excellent total profit by sheer numbers).
Membership waned and waxed with the sad passing of Yuri Majka and Neil Gaffney, and members dropping out due to health, family and other commitments, while we gained valued members such as Russel Laurens, Lech Rolniczak, Paul Sumpton, John Severn, Graeme Wills, Steve Randall, Ron Collette, Steve Cardwell and John Piwarski.
