Welcome
Here we go with the next absorbing edition of our BUMS Drum newsletter. Feedback I have received on past editions has been encouraging, and I believe that through this regular reporting of developments in and around our Shed, we can all be kept informed, engaged and provided with opportunities for interaction. Newsletters not only serve as a communication channel, but in my view, foster a sense of community.
Committee Of Management (Com)
Great news! As you will recall we have been on the lookout for Members to join COM to assist with our ongoing organisational review phase as well as our urgent need to carry out the design and construction required to bring our Shed back up to compliant standard. Member Simon Law, currently Treasurer with Upper Ovens Landcare Group, has volunteered his services to come onto COM and take on the role of Treasurer. At the same time and to give us further depth, Tony Strachan has agreed to assist/backup Simon as Assistant Treasurer. In further welcome news, Peter Van Vuuren has kindly agreed to re-join BUMSCOM and take over the role of Health & Wellbeing Officer. Countless congratulations and thanks to Simon, Tony and Peter.
As mentioned before I am keen to encourage others to become effective COM members, especially folks with Information Technology and Communications skills. Please consider volunteering your services, as we are all on the same mission to resurrect and improve our beloved Shed.
- President: Bruce Nordeck
- Vice President: Tony Strachan
- Secretary: Jessica Short
- Treasurer: Simon Law
- Committee Members: Simon Dennis, Milton Miller, Peter Van Vuuren
Support Roles
COM has updated our various operational and support roles to maintain the smooth functioning and success of the Shed.
The appointments are:
- Membership/Induction Officer – Simon Dennis
- Health & Wellbeing Officer – Peter Van Vuuren
- Grants – Jess Short & Bruce Nordeck
- Communication – Jess Short (temporary)
- Newsletter/Bulletin – Bruce Nordeck & Jess Short
- Information Technology – Simon Law for ad hoc guidance
- Insurance – Tony Strachan
- Cleaning Roster Manager – Milton Miller
Membership & Induction
Simon Dennis has been busy reviewing and redrafting our Induction Booklet to more accurately reflect the principles of the Men's Shed ethos. We have four new applicants eagerly awaiting induction.
Communication
The BUMS Member's Only Facebook group continues and starting to be utilised exclusively by current financial members of the Bright United Men's Shed. It is designed to strengthen connection, improve communication, and foster a supportive and positive online space for all Shed members. We currently have 24 members signed up.
You don't have to join the page as all "must know" information will still be communicated by e-mail to you, but we intend to use this Facebook group to enhance the Member communications experience. We encourage you to join and participate. To join: https://fb.me/g/5FGmDT3Uy/zMulDPNQ You will be asked two questions:
1. Are you a paid up BUMS member (which means for 2025/26) 2. Do you agree uphold the rules of the group.
Once your request to join the page has been approved, you will be notified via a notification in Facebook and you will be able to see everything posted to the group, post something yourself (where everyone in the group can see it) or if you wish, send a private message to another member via Facebook Messenger.
Bruce Nordeck and Jess Short currently administer and moderate the page. Please make use of this handy new communication tool.
News From The Shed Floor
Craig and the Floor Management Team are continuing to tackle troubling issues that are a concern for Shed operations from the point of view of member wellbeing, operational efficiency and area appeal.
Piggy-backed power boards and leads have been replaced with fixed power points greatly reducing the chance of overloads and potential safety hazards. They are also replacing household extension leads with new heavy duty leads. Once this is complete, they will test and tag some of our power tools which are subject to heavy or regular use.
The FMT is in the process of cleaning up behind the shed to remove materials and rubbish to enhance its outlook and improve ease of upkeep and maintenance by ourselves and the Shire. The first load was taken to the tip on Wednesday. Thanks to one of our new Members, Dave Herbert, for helping out. Also thanks to Simon Dennis who lent a hand and also paid the tip fee.
Still a lot more to get rid of. The next step will be a burn off when the weather improves.
Once the area has been cleared we plan to level it out. As our goal is to create a pleasant and neat grassed area around our Shed, it is crucial that the area never again becomes an area for people to "drop off stuff for the Shed", which in reality is just rubbish.
It costs us time and money to get rid of it.
Rules And Documentation
Secretary Jess has updated our website recently at https://www.bumsinc.com.au/
Check it out. If anyone has other suggestions/additions they'd like to see, please let us know.
Shed Recreation/Remembrance
Tony Strachan has proposed an inaugural BUMS getaway.
The idea would be to take off for a couple of days to a regional area for R & R. Tony suggests trekking to beautiful Corryong on Wednesday 19th November and return home on Friday 21st November.
Details regarding costs and accommodation arrangements are still to be confirmed, but lock in the dates in your diaries. More will be revealed in due course.
Another thoughtful initiative raised by Tony is the concept of developing a Memorial Garden on the Shed grounds. He encourages Members to provide feedback (concepts, layout, plantings etc.) This would be a dynamic, long-term undertaking which could conceivably commence this Spring. It would also dovetail (pun intended!) neatly with our overall area transformation goals.
Please get in touch with Tony via the shed.
Annual General Meeting
We propose holding this year's AGM at the Shed on Thursday 30th October 2025 commencing at 12.00PM. I encourage all financial Members to attend this important meeting which will include significant reports regarding Shed developments and direction plus an Election of Officers and Committee of Management (COM).
I encourage Members, especially the younger amongst us, to consider putting their hands up for COM and taking responsibility for managing your Shed into the future. The tasks of COM Members are not onerous, but they do require new blood, ideas and motivation if The Shed is to remain sustainable. Please consider what you can do to ensure that The Shed continues to function and fulfil its objectives and commitments to us, the Members, and within the wider Bright community.
A sausage sizzle for Members will follow the 2025 AGM. Please let Team Catering (Tony Strachan via the shed know if you will be attending by not later than Tuesday 28th October 2025.
Until next time,
Bruce Pres.
Bright United Men's Shed committee@bumsinc.com.au
Remember, Happiness is a choice. Everything else is a matter of Perspective. Also, Teamwork makes the Dream Work.