Activities 2012

Activities Held 2012

The following is an outline of shed excursions and special activities that been held.

Many of the pictures taken are stored on the shed picture Picasa web page Further extensive galleries are located there. If you click on the images below it will open as a larger image in a new window

Behind the Scenes Visit to the National Library - 27 Jan 2012

On Friday 27th Jan a large contingent of around 28 Melba Shed members descended on the National Library for a 'Behind the Scenes' tour.

The Library holds the greatest collection in the world of material relating to Australia and the Australian people. It ranges from the earliest European works about the Great Southern Land to the most current publications. The collection includes all formats of material, from books and magazines to pictures, photographs, maps, sheet music, oral history recordings, manuscript papers, ephemera and much, much more!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of volunteer guiding at the National Library, and we were privileged to have three volunteers guide us through the tour. Many thanks to Alan, Margaret and Sheena for looking after us so well.

Among many things, we saw the reading rooms, the old vacuum tube system used to order books to be delivered to the reading room, old microfilm and microfiche equipment, book stacks like you wouldn't believe, Charlie the roving automated robot delivering books, newspapers going back to the very early 1800s and map collections including some most interesting globes with maps dating back to the 1700s.

After a quick coffee stop we then proceeded to the Treasures Gallery which featured many of the Library's greatest treasures – some of which had never previously been publicly displayed. We spent some time looking at Captain James Cook's journal of his discovery of the eastern coast of Australia. Fascinating stuff.

We also learned a little about 'Trove' – the Library's one line search facility. Trove is described as 'an exciting, evolutionary and free search service. With millions of items, Trove is an unrivalled repository of Australian material.
Trove is for all Australians. Whether you are tracing your family history, doing professional research, reading for pleasure, teaching or studying, Trove can help.'

To access Trove, click on: http://trove.nla.gov.au/. Many thanks to Stuart Allan for organising this tour. Photos of our visit to the Library by clicking Picasa Pictures

Canbera Museum Visit inc the King O'Malley Exhibition and the Old Bones - New Insights Exhibition

On 24th Feb we visited the Canberra Museum and Gallery. It was a most interesting visit attended by 29 Shed members and included the King O'Malley Exhibition and the Old Bones – New Insights Exhibition

King O'Malley

Curator, Social History of the Museum, Rowan Henderson, gave us a very comprehensive exposé on the life of King O'Malley, an insurance salesman from the United States of America, who migrated to Australia around 1888 and after selling insurance in Melbourne and then Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia was elected as an independent to the SA House of Assembly. He injected colour into Australian politics from his election in 1896 until his death in 1953. Joining Federal politics after Federation, O'Malley represented the Tasmanian electorate of Darwin for sixteen years, acting as Minister for Home Affairs at the time the competition to design Canberra was held, and the federal capital was named. Read more about this most interesting man by clicking here.

Old Bones, New Insights

Dr Alex Ritchie organised this fascinating visit to the Old Bones – New Insights Exhibition at the Gallery. The exhibition was put together by Dr Gavin Young and Professor Tim Senden, both from the ANU. It displays some of the finest Devonian fossil fish specimens found and prepared by ANU staff and students over more than forty years. Most specimens have never been displayed publicly before and when the exhibition closes they will unfortunately disappear back into the ANU vaults, assessable only to scientists. What a great shame funding can't be found to permanently display this rare and important collection!
Physics has joined palaeontology at the ANU using 3D X-ray scanning to reveal new evidence of early vertebrae evolution. Over the past 40 years the Wee Jasper area has yielded fossil treasures which now showcase a once diverse coral reef – 400 million years ago. See photos by clicking here

North Belconnen Uniting Church Minister, Rev Tim Jensen about his life and experiences - 20 April 2012

Around 40 members listened to new Uniting Church Minister, Rev Tim Jensen give an enlightening talk about where he grew up and the things that influenced him during his life before he moved to Canberra. Tim commenced his ministry at Melba in January this year after previously being minister at Byron Bay Uniting Church.

Tim's father came from Horsens, Denmark and was active in the underground as a teenager during WWII. He joined the UK army after the war and served in Palestine. To avoid serving in the Danish army he went to Canada for about 10 years, then to Rabaul in New Guinea. This is where Tim was born.

He next went to Darwin, which is where he calls home. Tim first started working he and was inspired by a partially disabled person called Doug Wilkie. Working for Doug in Darwin he learnt to be a plumber. It was here whilst playing rugby that he heard from his Captain the expression "Revenge is a dish best served cold!" This was not for him so he went to Teachers College, and then served on several aboriginal settlements in the NT and QLD where he learnt about tribal cultures. Again teaching was not his ultimate career so he ended up studying theology in Brisbane and then was posted to several QLD towns including Longreach. Lastly he spent 10 idyllic years in Byron bay before ending up here in Melba

Excursion and Tour of Captain's Flat - 27 April 2012

20 Melba Shed members headed to Captains Flat for a tour of this interesting and historic town by local historian and Captains Flat's representative on the Palerang Council Heritage Advisory Committee, Elizabeth Estbergs. We met Elizabeth at the lookout near the old railway station and learned that Captains Flat was home for 5,000 people during mining operations but that now only some 500 people reside there.

What a shame the railway was closed in 1968 as it passed through some very scenic countryside as it meandered its way from Queanbeyan to Captains Flat. We saw the turntable and other railway infrastructure before heading to view the mine site that overlooks the town. We then headed into town and looked at some of the historic photos at the Community Centre - a former cinema.

Then we visited the local Anglican church, then off to a magnificent lunch at the Outsider Café – a most interesting place to enjoy great food and a most unusual décor. If you weren't there, take a look at the photos and see what you missed out on!

After lunch we took a look at the Captains Flat Hotel where Vicky showed us around and we saw what is reputed to be one of the longest bars in Australia. The hotel is a quaint old style country hotel with considerable charm and would be great place for a few days away from the hassles of Canberra living.

Thanks to Elizabeth and Vicky for showing us over the town and the hotel and thanks to Laurie for organising a most successful visit.

See our many photos Further information on Captains Flat

ACT Greens follow up!

Meredith Hunter and Shane Rattenbury of the ACT Greens visited the Shed on 17 February and promised to follow up on several questions relating to disabled parking spaces at the Jamison Centre and the Kippax Library. Meredith did indeed follow up this issue and received the following response from our Chief Minister.

A Surprise Visit from Tom Davis - 11 May 2012

Pictures: Ton Davis 2012-05-11 at Melba, and in Nov 2010 at Orbost

It was a welcome surprise to members to have Tom Davis from the Orbost Mens Shed drop into our meeting on this Friday morning. A number of our members will remember Tom from our very successful and happy trip to Orbost in 2010.

Tom kindly addressed the meeting during the program and outlined the latest developments at his Shed. In January this year fire caused damage to the Orbost Shed at a cost of somewhere between $100K–250K, destroying equipment, a good deal of work in progress by the shed members, and some computers.

The steel roof will need replacement as a result of the fire after structural assessment. Plans are in place and tenders being prepared to replace this steel.

Orbost Shed before the fire (from our Shed visit in 2010) Shed members are busy visiting neighbouring sheds and keep general morale up as they look to replacing some treasured possessions.

Santos has generously contributed money towards building a new shed out the back, and members are making very good efforts in raising their own funds by conducting raffles in conjunction with other support.

The shed has met weekly at Orbost Regional Health's Board Room for lunch and a report back process (ORH are a major supporter of the Shed) as the dining room/kitchen has been redeveloped.

The shed now faces the challenges of establishing a new work area and obtaining new equipment and ensuring its correct layout and maintenance, with all the new associated EH&WS issues and rules arising from that.

We wish our fellow Orbost Shed friends every success in their endeavours in re-establishing their Shed to its full potential again, and look forward to hearing positive updates in the coming months.

Ian Foster, volunteer from the Australian War Memorial - 30 March 2012

Ian Foster gave us a great session on the Australian War Memorial and some really interesting facts on the history and evolution of the Australian Flag. Ian talked about his experiences as a War Memorial volunteer guide giving us a better insight into the three primary roles the Memorial has - a shrine, a museum and a war archive. Ian explained how the Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.

The AWM was approved for building in 1922, long before most others structures in Canberra. It opened in 11/11/1941. It now gets some 900,000 visitors annually. Its not juts a memorial but a shrine; a museum; and an archive. There are about 300 volunteers of which 120 are volunteer guides

The standard "highlights" tour takes 90 min whereas the WWI tour only takes 30 min

In WWI our population was quite small around 5 Million, yet 300,000 volunteered ie 8% of the population. 60,000 of these died or 1:6 who served.

Australian Flag

Many Australians want to retain our current flag because they feel that it is the flag under which we fought. However Australians have not always 'fought under' the present flag. The only war where servicemen 'fought under' Australia's current flag was the Vietnam War.

The Union Jack was the only flag used on our side during the Boer War. The Union Jack was again predominant in the First World War. Then there was confusion among the Union Jack, the defaced Red Ensign, and the defaced Blue Ensign. The famous Changi Flag, which flew at the liberation of Singapore in 1945 was a Red Ensign.

The current Australian flag (blue ensign) was first flown in Melbourne in Sep 1901, but was not popular at the time. The British Government could overrule Australian laws until 1942. In WWII various flags were used but it seems most Australians did not fight under our current flag. In 1920 the Red Ensign was flown at the opening of the Parliament House. However the official flag was still the Union Jack.

Again in WWII various flags were used. In 1943 Curtain allowed the Blue Flag for miliary funerals. In 1947 Chifley make it formal. In 1950 Menzies promoted the blue ensign and in 1954 the Queen approved its use.

The 1996 Flag act made changing the flag difficult as it will require a referendum

It was a most interesting presentation and thanks to Geoff Grimmett for organising Ian's attendance.

Bill Cole - Funeral Director - 23 March 2012

On Friday 23 March we welcomed Bill Cole. Bill, who with his wife Christine run William Cole Funerals, which is a family owned business, serving the Canberra community since 1990. It began in a small office in Mitchell before moving to Belconnen. Being a Funeral Director is an unusual occupation but Bill seems to revel in it, telling us that he had decided upon this occupation well before leaving school. He is clearly well suited to the role exhibiting compassion, understanding and professionalism which no doubt would be greatly appreciated by all those with whom he comes into contact. Bill also told us a little history of the funeral business in Australia including providing an insight into some of the different burial or cremation options.

Bill spoke about a range of issue related to funerals including:

coffins are getting large as the population get larger
at least 70% of funerals are now a cremation
around 1400-1500 funerals in ACT per year
they have a contract with the coroner and thus need 4 staff on call at all times
Norwood Park is a private crematorium, although the adjacent cemetery is Government owned. The crematorium needs work
Cremations are cheaper, ie just over $1000 for the crematorium, $260 for the doctors cost against $4600 for cemetery fees, plus of course Funeral Director charges, flowers and coffin
can provide a cheap wooden coffin cheaper than cardboard at the moment
one can make their own coffin
must have a coffin for a cremation
prepaid funeral are OK if you die quickly but if you live a long time paying at the end might be cheaper
prepaid funerals amounts can be transferred to the estate if you die interstate
you can have your ashes in an urn added to an existing cemetery plot that contains a coffin
you can have a burial without a funeral service, although you must have a coffin

Thanks to Peter Mitchell for organising Bill's presentation.

Talk by Alan Tongue - 4 May 2012

Pictures: Alan Tongue talking to shed member David Lingingstone; and members listening to Alan. Pictures compliments of Jennifer Thompson

Alan Tongue, former Raiders' captain talked about his life and approach to rugby league to around 40 members and guests.

Alan grew up on a 2,500 acre mixed grazing/farming property outside of Tamworth. He had a religious upbringing and still goes to the local Baptist Church on Sundays. He started playing rugby league at school at age 6. Initially he obtained a scholarship from the Brisbane Broncos for 3 years to support his schooling.

He made the Year 12 schoolboys team that toured NZ and during this he met some Canberra boys and hit it off i.e. Brett Finch. This encouraged hom to then join the Raiders in lower grades.

In 2000 he went to Newcastle to play, and then straight to Brisbane to debut in1st Grade later that same week. He then played 21 games in that debut year in1st grade. Throughout his career he tried to be a multi position player such as half and hooker enabling him to be more useful to the club

Over the years the raiders have used 211 players with some 8-9 debuting every year. It's a bit hard to keep consistency with that sort of turnover. Maybe that's part of their lack of performance in recent years.

2004-2009 were Alan's best years. In 2006 was named player of the year. At the end of 2006 lots of players left the club. This facilitated Alan becoming Captain. In early 2011 he had a serious shoulder injury i.e. ruptured AC joint.

At the end of 2011 he decided to retire even with a year left on his contract. He had played 220 games.

Alan has 3 children, 2 boys and a girl. He well remembers working as a a trainee apprentice when he played lower grade and earned the princely sum of $4.69 per hour as 1st year apprentice. (some of us remember similar rates of pay!)

Now he commentates for ABC Radio 666 for Canberra and Sydney matches and on Sat morning at 11AM. He is also in the NRL education and welfare team. He is also with Dixon Advisory teaching them leadership skills. He is also a personal trainer, and is associated with the National Brain Industry Foundation.

Alan is keen to work with younger players coming through and tries to teach them how to behave and have goals for the future to improve themselves and also so that they will be remembered for their good attributes.

In his thought processes Alan developed some great expressions, and some he relayed to us were:

"pain is weakness leaving the body!" associated with his pre-season training
"repetition is the mother of all skill!"
"we are what we repeatedly do!"

Thanks to Peter Mitchell for organising Alan's visit. More pictures

Engaging Solutions - 4 May 2012

On this Friday we also welcomed Jennifer Thompson, Managing Director of Engaging Solutions. Jennifer is producing a short media piece for a local organisation (LEAD) highlighting ways in which people living with a disability can be treated as individuals and more engaged in the general Canberra community. LEAD assists David Livingstone in attending the Melba Shed. Like many Canberra men, it is a highlight in David's weekly social calendar.

Digital Storytelling is the practice of using digital tools, typically pictures and video to tell stories. As with traditional storytelling, most digital stories focus on a specific topic; in this case, typical days in David's life.

David enjoys his visits to the Shed accompanied by his carer, Harry Enright. Harry's role is to assist David to utilise community facilities for social, recreational and volunteering options. He works with Lead and with David's family to consider choices, provide skill development training, identify suitable community venues, provide initial support and undertake capacity building activities.

Good work Harry. It is hopes David's experience at the Shed is positive and enjoyable and we all look forward to seeing the results of Jennifer's work with the Digital Storytelling.

Terrys Pumpkin Challege 2012 - Judging 18 May 2012

Terry issued a challenge for any member to grow the largest pumpkin from Nov through to around May2012.Terry supplied his own butternut super seeds to those who wanted to have a go.

On this day we held the judging of the winner and this function was ably performed by our elder spokesman Clarrie Hockley

Five members participated: Terry M (himself), Steve M, Geoff G, Tony C and Bob Salmond. There were some fine specimens and some that looked very weird or phallic (Steve, Tony).

The winner was judged as Bob Salmond's 2.528Kg pumpkin of length 42cm. Bob also had another pumpkin of weight 3.419Kg. His winning certificate is shown. More pictures