Visit date: Tuesday 8th January 2019.
Another total surprise!
Why?
Our Air B&B hosts asked us what we intended to see in Coffs Harbour, and during the chat I mentioned that I am a member of Men in Sheds, and my intention during our tour was to visit any Sheds en route. To my surprise, they told me that there was one just outside the town. I quickly found the website, and arranged my visit.
The following morning, I looked at the map and decided to walk to the Shed as it was just on the outskirts of the town. After a short 30-minute walk, I found the entrance to the site which is an old quarry owned by the local council. Before me, I saw a brand new large grey industrial building on a big plot of land.
I entered the building, and found the lads having their tea break. I introduced myself, and was offered a cup of tea!
Shed President, Ken Ryan welcomed me, and introduced me to Robert Houston who is the Shed Manager. It was Robert who showed me around.
The Shed was founded in 2010 on a smaller site. This new building was opened in 2017.
It has a floor area of 800m2 the majority of which is workshop space. The sheer floor area means that many activities can be accommodated that other sheds cannot. As can be seen from the photos, there is a large Engineering and Metalwork area, including a welding bay and a painting area, complete with spray booth, where restored or new children’s Rocking Horses were being sprayed. There is an office, mess and kitchen area, toilets, changing rooms and stores. Over the ground floor rooms, the lads have built a mezzanine floor with an area of 450m2, again divided into more rooms and storage space. These rooms have no windows, lit by fluorescent tubes, and the walls are painted a stark white which gives them a cold, clinical feel. One had the walls marked out for fixtures and fittings of some sort. I asked Robert what they were for, but he just muttered, and continued to tell me that the rooms are intended to be used as craft workshops by other local community groups.
The land is classed as ‘Crown Land’ managed by the local council who have granted a 25-year renewable lease contract to the Shed.
Capital for the building was raised from Government Grants and other sources such as Charities and sponsorship.
The costs involved were approximately:
Floor slab – cast concrete AU$100,000
Building structure – steel AU$160,000
Internal Fit out & services AU$70,000
Running costs are hard to determine at present, but rough estimates work out at about AU$150 per day for power, consumables, etc.
Running costs are met by payments gained from Community Projects and doing two to three ‘Sausage Sizzler’ BBQs during the year at the local Bunnings DIY Superstores. The lads spend on average AU$600 for a supply of sausages, bread, onions and fizzy drinks, of which Sausage & Onion sandwiches are sold for AU$2.50, soft drinks for A$1.50 each. The lads normally sell about 35 to 40 kgs of sausage and onion sandwiches, which along with the drinks reaps a healthy profit of around AU$900 to 1500 on a good day.
The Shed also run Market Stalls, and similar to the UK, not much is sold, but they consider them worthwhile attending as it gives greater public exposure for what Sheds do and advertising.
Other revenue streams are bespoke jobs and sales that bring in a very good income for the Shed.
Community projects include building ‘buddy benches’ for a pre-school, and some musical items for the Stroke Ward at the local hospital, these being washboards, indigenous clap sticks, rattles etc.
Currently, paid up membership stands at 160, with a membership fee of AU$50 /annum.
Average age is mid 50s, with the youngest in his mid 20s, and the eldest in his late 80s.
The tea/coffee fund costs AU$2 per visit.
An official Opening Ceremony is being held on the 3rd May, so watch the website for more information and photos.
Footnote: Just as I was leaving, I noticed a half open book, laying cover side up on desk outside the office. I’m sure the title read: ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’. Perhaps, that was why there were so many ropes, chains, saddles, shackles and oddly shaped battery-powered devices in the Stores? For more information: www.mensshedcoffs.com.au
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