Providing diverse activities for your Shed members is one of the eight key pillars of creating a Thriving Shed. Take a look at what kinds of activities Sheds from across WA have on offer.
To discuss stories contribution please contact the team at admin@mensshedswa.org.au
Credit to Gordon MacGilp for producing the magazine
Image credits
Cover: by Rhiannon Arnold
Page 6-7: Jurien Bay
Community Men’s Shed
Page 8: Quinns Community Men’s Shed
Page 10-11: Supplied by David Whish-Wilson
Page12-15: Rhiannon Arnold
Page 16: Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed
Page 17: Rhiannon Arnold
Page 18-19: Supplied by Fremantle Press
Page 21: Stock images
Page 22: Melville Community Men’s Shed
Page 24-26: The Australian Woodworker
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SHEDS WA
Hello from the Sheds WA team!
As we near the end 2024 with this final edition of Sheds WA, we are proud to celebrate the incredible contributions and work happening in Men’s Sheds across our state. While the perception may linger that Sheds are simply a hub for woodworking, we know they offer so much more. This edition of Sheds WA highlights the broad spectrum of activities our Sheds provide, from fitness groups and creative arts to beekeeping and gardening, showcasing the diverse passions of their members.
More than just a space to pursue hobbies, Men’s Sheds foster camaraderie, connection, and well-being. They offer a place where all men can find acceptance and belonging, sharing skills, stories, and support. In this issue, we celebrate these spaces as essential community pillars and look forward to the continued growth and impact of Men’s Sheds in the year ahead.
James Wild CEO, Men’s Sheds of WA
‘Rest in Reef’ An Award Winning Idea
By Rhiannon Arnold
The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) has awarded the Innovative Fundraising Activity Award to the Jurien Bay Community Men’s Shed for their ‘Rest in Reef’ project, which offers a unique resting place for loved ones.
The ‘Rest in Reef’ project is part of an artificial reef, which incorporates reef balls made with a deceased person’s ashes blended into the concrete.
The reef balls are placed in the Jurien Bay Marina, where marine growth will cover the ball, ensuring it becomes a part of the reef ecosystem.
Jurien Bay Community Men’s Shed president Geoff Bunns said the Rest in Reef project creates a unique and lasting memorial site for deceased persons.
“The Jurien Bay Community Men’s Shed is incredibly proud to have been recognised by [AMSA] with a national award for innovation in fundraising,” Geoff said.
“We believe this is due recognition of the incredible vision and effort of our foundation members, and in particular, our inaugural president Ian Styles OAM, who first developed and constructed an artificial reef off the coast of Jurien Bay, before coming up with the concept of ‘Rest in Reef’ which would add to the new artificial reef.
The Shed is currently the only organisation or business in Australia authorised to offer this service, which also includes a memorial on the beach for friends and family to watch the boat deliver the reef ball as it is incorporated into the artificial reef.
“While we do raise funds from the Rest in Reef project, we see it more as a community service than a fundraiser,” Geoff said.
The Shed has approval for 100 Rest in Reef balls to extend the artificial reef over the next three years.
They currently create three to four Rest in Reef balls each year, and this is growing as word of the service spreads.
AMSA’s Executive Officer, David Helmers applauded the creativity of all seven award recipients in the 2024 National Men’s Shed Awards.
“This year we saw some truly unique and innovative activities in our sheds, and we commend the creativity of these shedders who are doing great things for their communities,” said David Helmers.
You can find out more about the Jurien Bay Community Men’s Shed at mensshedswa. org.au/find-a-shed-old/sheds/jurien-baycommunity-mens-shed/.
Jurien Bay Community Men’s Shed hosting a memorial service on the beach.
Bunnings and Men’s Sheds: A Sizzling Partnership
By James Wild CEO of Men’s Sheds of WA
When I first arrived in WA from the UK some 12 years ago, it took a little adjusting to the Aussie way of life—different history, culture, and even a new language. It was a few confused conversations before I realised that I wouldn’t actually find Woop Woop on the map. With a new home and plenty of jobs to do around the house I was soon introduced to the Aussie cultural phenomenon, the Bunnings sausage sizzle! Who knew that home renos could come with a side of sauce.
For many, the sausage sizzle is a weekend family ritual, never were my kids to keen to browse the aisles of a UK hardware store. Customers eagerly queue up, chat to a new local community group each week, grab a snag and head off to work on their respective projects. However, most people are probably unaware that the weekend sizzle supports thousands of vital community initiatives each year. I didn’t realise until I started in my role at Men’s Sheds of WA quite how important the sausage sizzle is to our almost 200 Men’s Sheds across the State. The humble sausage sizzle has become a lifeline for local Men’s Sheds, offering not just a tasty
treat but a vital source of funding and community engagement.
Men’s Sheds, like many other community organisations are grassroots organisations, where people come together for a shared purpose and to build friendships. As Sheds are not-for-profit organisations they rely heavily on funding and fundraising to support their activities. Donna Yates, Bunnings’ Activities Co-ordinator for WA said “the importance of Men’s Sheds cannot be overstated. In a world where mental health issues are prevalent, Sheds are becoming widely recognised as a preventive measure supporting better mental and physical health outcomes. The mateship built over a shared project or a simple conversation at the BBQ can make a world of difference.”
The impact of these community BBQs is nothing short of remarkable. Four months into this financial year and Bunnings has helped community organisations to raise an impressive $62,500 in WA alone. By the end of the year this is likely to be closer to $180,000. This has come largely from sausage sizzles and associated fundraising activities, such as the sale of woodworking
items made by Sheds. This showcases not only the generosity of the community but also the commitment of community group members who volunteer their time to grill and engage with Bunnings’ customers. Bunnings has also generously supported many community initiatives with gift vouchers and product donations, helping groups to purchase essential supplies for their own projects.
Fuelling Connection and Wellbeing
Bunnings sausage sizzles not only help raise much needed funds but also increase awareness about the importance of Men’s Sheds. Quinns Men’s Shed president Kim Young, said “ The visibility of these events encourages more men to get involved, whether as participants or volunteers, strengthening the network of support within the community. Conversations over the grill are not just with guys looking to join the Shed. We get most of our enquiries from people wanting to find out more for their dad, husband, partner or friends. These conversations are just as important to our Shed as the funds that we raise”.
A Recipe for Fundraising Success
The funds raised through these sizzles are critical for the day-to-day operations of Men’s Sheds. Sheds use these funds for various reasons; from purchasing materials and tools, running wellbeing workshops, delivering community projects to covering maintenance costs or simply to keep the lights on, every dollar counts.
So next time you hear that familiar sizzle outside Bunnings, remember: you’re not just grabbing a tasty snack; you’re contributing to a vital network that supports men’s health and wellbeing across WA. Local Men’s Sheds are always looking for volunteers to help with cooking and organising these events. Whether you’re a seasoned griller or a first-timer, the experience is rewarding and fun.
Thanks to the support of organisations like Bunnings, Sheds continue to thrive and support more people in our communities. Working together we can improve mental wellbeing, reduce loneliness, and build some great projects from Perth all the way to Woop Woop!
Forges and Fiction
David Whish-Wilson
By Rhiannon Arnold
David Whish-Wilson is a writer, lecturer, and craftsman living in Fremantle, Western Australia, where he has built a life that balances his intellectual and physical pursuits.
Known for his literary works, David is the author of ten novels and three non-fiction books, but his interests extend far beyond the written word. When he is not teaching creative writing at Curtin University or developing the narratives for his latest books, he is in his backyard making silver jewellery with his daughter, brewing whiskey, or crafting knives. These hands-on projects provide him with an outlet from the mental demands of his work.
“I’ve got a busy life, I’ve got three kids all still living at home, and I found the thing that was missing in my life was making things with my hands. So, for a long time now, I’ve made kitchen knives as gifts for friends,” David said.
His knife-making journey began years ago in Kenya, where he saw two men making a knife on the side of the road. Using a simple campfire and makeshift bellows made from a plastic bag, they transformed a piece of discarded steel into a functional blade.
The experience left a lasting impression on him, and over time he adopted the craft himself, creating bespoke knives from recycled materials like lawnmower blades, old saw blades, and files.
He makes his knives from a homemade forge on the back deck of his South Fremantle home and crafts the knives with a focus on the process rather than the end result.
“My tools are still very rudimentary. It might take a little bit longer, but for me, it’s all about the process,” David said.
“With knife making, it’s the kind of craft that you can just use any tools lying around.
“[You don’t need the best tools to get started]. If getting there is not the main point, if it’s the process and the journey, going a bit slower doesn’t really make much of a difference at all,” he said.
David explained how the process of hand crafting items can have a therapeutic effect for him.
“I think making things with my hands is really good for my mental health. It allows me to concentrate on what I’m doing, and sometimes it’s quite mundane, repetitive work … but that’s good because it means I can’t daydream, which is my usual trade. It allows me to stay in the moment.”
It’s an ethos shared by many Men’s Sheds which encourage the idea of ‘shoulder to shoulder’ conversations.
“I think the idea of a safe space where you can come together and the important conversations that need to be had are kind of done in the background (because in
the foreground you’re doing something or making something) is important,” said David.
“It’s about camaraderie, friendship, and easy conversation that actually leads to places that might help people. Even if there’s not conversation, just being in proximity with like-minded people, doing something practical can also be really beneficial.”
While also having a therapeutic effect, the hands-on, practical quality of knife making also simply provides David with a break from his day job.
“Between my work as a lecturer and my job as a writer, I spend a lot of time in my head,” David said.
David’s new novel, ‘Cutler’ steps away from his Frank Swann series and follows a new character, Paul Cutler, a former undercover operative investigating the disappearance of an Australian marine scientist on a fishing vessel.
In celebration of Cutler’s release, we’re thrilled to offer one lucky subscriber a chance to win a free copy of this new novel. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Sheds WA magazine to go in the draw.
You can also purchase a copy of the book from fremantlepress.com.au/books/cutler/.
Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed
Creating a Thriving Shed through Diverse Activities
By Rhiannon Arnold
The research report ‘What Makes a Thriving Shed’ (mensshedswa.org.au/ shed-resources/what_makes_a_thriving_ shed/), released in 2023 in partnership with Curtin University highlighted the importance of diverse activities within Sheds as part of eight key factors that contribute to sustainable Sheds.
The report found more Shed activities are likely to attract more members as different members benefit from different aspects of Shed activities.
The Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed offers more than 10 different activities to its members, across a wide array of interests.
Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed Art Group
The Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed began an Art group in May of 2021, with a six week introductory class. Today this has now evolved into a social art-based group, who get together at the Shed each week to chat with each other over their own art projects.
Shed member Colin Scott said the group began when one of the members decided he wanted to do an art class and share his art skills with other Shed members.
“I’m an engineer by trade so I’ve never drawn or painted anything in my life,” Colin said.
The idea of trying something new drew Paul Kidd to the group as well.
“I was an engineer and never really had any opportunity to do [art] before,” Paul said.
The group has allowed Shed members of all abilities and interests to be involved in Shed activities.
When art group member Owen Carpenter had a stroke, his participation in the art group meant he could still attend the Shed each week and be involved in its activities.
“I was originally part of the photography team, and I did woodwork and when Peter had the idea of starting up an art group I got on board too,” Owen said.
“Then I ended up having a stroke about two and a half years ago.
“I can’t do woodwork anymore, I can’t hold a camera still anymore but with oil painting, when you make a mistake, you can just paint over it. There’s a good chance I would have said ‘no, I’ll give the Men’s Shed a miss,’ after the stroke,” Owen said.
“The art group is something I’m still able to pick up as my physical ability has changed.”
And Owen isn’t the only one who has found the art group helpful. Miles Humphreys found the art group a welcome activity.
“I joined for my mental stability,” he said.
“I’m in the third year after having a stroke and so the world I used to have has vanished, and so what do you substitute or how do you build a new one?
Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed Cooking Group
On a Thursday morning at the Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed the usual smell of sawdust and furniture polish is replaced by the scent of freshly basked scones.
The SCMS Cooking Group put on a delicious morning tea for the Shed members every week, and when the weather’s nice up to 40 people congregate in the Shed garden for a scone, a cuppa and some conversation.
And it’s not just morning tea the group cater for. Each month the Shed hosts a sundowner event, with their wood fired pizza oven, and a special members dinner – sometimes bringing in chefs to help teach the group for the event. They even volunteer to cook a meal for the homeless, in partnership with Matilda Bay Rotary every other month.
Cooking Group team leader Werner Ribul said the group encourages members to attend the Shed.
“The group is a kind of glue and it’s an inspiration for people to come to the Shed,” Werner said.
“Most people who attend the Shed come for an event. That could be a dinner, or a meal, or maybe a demonstration.
“There is a smaller group who come regularly to work on projects here. We run events and that’s how we bring everyone in. Even if it’s only a simple thing like the morning tea that brings it maybe 20-25 people who wouldn’t be here otherwise and they stay for an hour and chat to people –that’s the socialising aspect of the Shed.”
The Group not only encourages the entire Shed to come together but provides the group members with useful skills.
“We do a monthly cooking class with us where they learn how to do a main course and a dessert. Overtime they all pick up skills,” Werner said.
The group members can teach each other and share their own knowledge too.
The Shed’s oldest member, Don Dufty, has joined the cooking group and shared his knowledge of Jam and preserve making which the Shed sells at the Perth Royal Show each year.
“That’s one of the reasons he gets up in the morning is to come down and make the jams. He had lots of experience that he brought with him and he came and shared it with us.” Werner said.
Werner suggested starting small if any other Sheds were interested in starting a cooking group.
“Most Sheds have tea making facilities and that’s a starting point. It can grow from there if they find someone who is interesting and someone who wants to organise it.
“Forming a new group is a challenge to get it up and running but once you’ve established it… it makes it interesting for people to come back. And that goes for any group.”
Most importantly, Werner said people come back because it’s fun. The SCMS Cooking Group has around 40 members, which allows them to create a roster when catering events, ensuring no one gets stressed and overworked.
“For me, it’s the camaraderie and the social aspects of working with people in the kitchen. It’s just enjoyable,” Werner said.
Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed Beekeeping
The Beekeeping Group at the Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed brings together a team of around 40 members who share an interest in bees and honey production. They manage six beehives, used both for training purposes and to produce honey, which they sell annually.
“The induction process includes the Beekeeping 101, and then the other stage is hands-on—getting in the bee suit, inspecting the hives, checking the queen and her brood,” Anthony said.
Beekeeping has proven to be popular within the Shed’s membership of 300+, with over 10% participating in the group.
This year, the group sold 200 jars of honey at the Perth Royal Show, an initiative that covers the group’s running costs and funds equipment upgrades.
As part of the group activities the members inspect the hives, ensuring the bees and the queen are healthy while building confidence in hive handling.
“We check on the hives every two to three weeks to check on the bees, and the queen and for training purposes to help people build their confidence when handling bees,” said group leader Anthony McGrath.
The group also hosts talks by beekeeping experts throughout the year. Additionally, they run a “Beekeeping 101” course, which draws attendees from both within and outside the Shed membership. This introductory course is part of a two-stage induction process.
“People are really interested in bees. They ask lots of questions about them,” Anthony noted.
Anthony encourages other Sheds to consider beekeeping, noting it can be started on a small scale with just two hives.
“We want to have some fun, we want to learn new skills, find out about different things, and put it to practical use,” he said, emphasizing that the group fosters both fellowship and learning.
For Men’s Sheds across WA, activities like beekeeping offer a diverse, selfsustaining option for engaging members and expanding skill-sharing opportunities.
Their activities also include a gardening group, photography, wine appreciation and, of course, woodworking.
How to Do it in the Garden
By Sabrina Hahn
Don’t be put off with the number of instructions in this book, I know that’s the bit most blokes rarely read when buying anything, just stay focused on the pictures. Once you’ve flicked through most of the coloured pages, it may inspire you to go to the printed parts and have a crack at doing something occasionally referring to the instructions.
Although the chapter on power tools is missing in this publication, there are many opportunities where they can be utilised on a daily basis. I love power tools and couldn’t garden without them, you fellas know how to use them without the pictures.
Having grown up with 3 brothers I understand the need to pull stuff apart, use a chainsaw for all pruning tasks, worship the lawn God weekly so you have the best lawn in the street and see weeds as your mortal enemy.
The Men’s Shed has invented some of the most useful tools not on the market for gardeners. This has come about by their ingenuity of making tools from scratch because many gardening tools are made overseas and are completely useless.
It’s so frustrating as a gardener to have tools breaking and not doing the job. I still have
my Nan’s garden tools that are going strong because the steel and wood they are made from are high quality and were made to last. No wonder she had arms of a wrestler, the spade is heavy without soil in it.
There are many other reasons why you should buy this book. Being outdoors fiddling in the garden is good for your mental health, plants don’t care what mood you’re in, the lawn loves you unconditionally, you can work on projects that require purchasing new tools and create wonderous things that you can’t buy.
Learning to grow your own food is the stuff of heroes and it’s easier than you might think –but it takes practice and reading instructions like the ones I have written in this book. It also takes observation and hand watering. Late afternoon watering is one of the most relaxing activities in the garden. Hand watering six tomato plants will take at least one beer. If you need to water fruit trees as well, buy a carton.
My idea of pure heaven is to be in my garden on a sunny, warm day with a hose in one hand and a beer in the other. I’m hoping when you read this book you will understand why.
WE’RE OFFERING ONE LUCKY SUBSCRIBER A FREE COPY OF SABRINA’S BOOK HOW TO DO IT IN THE GARDEN
Staying Sun Smart –Know The UV!
By Rebecca Talbot, Senior Engagement Officer
Australia has some of the highest levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world. Overexposure to UV radiation from the sun is the major cause of skin cancers. As summer approaches it’s important to know the difference between the daily UV level and the forecast maximum temperature. Many people assume hot weather equals high UV levels, but UV radiation is independent of temperature, as it is determined by the sun’s angle and atmospheric conditions.
UV rays can still be intense on cool, cloudy days
The UV Index alerts you to when sun protection is essential to prevent skin damage. UV levels are highest at 12pm, so you should schedule your outdoor activities before 10am or after 2pm, when levels are lower. Use the UV Index available on weather apps or websites to know when it’s safe to be outside.
UV rays also reflect off surfaces, so it’s essential to understand how to reduce exposure.
Keep each other safe
Men’s Sheds are about camaraderie, learning, and supporting each other. Encourage sun safety practices in your Shed to protect yourself and your mates. By making sun-smart habits part of your routine, you can continue enjoying outdoor projects safely while reducing the risk of UV-related health issues.
Be a role model for your family
Make it a regular activity to check the UV index with your grandkids before going outside. With patient guidance, can turn sun safety into an easy family habit, showing kids how to protect their skin now and keep it healthy as they grow.
Melville Community Men’s Shed Fitness Programs Boost Member Wellbeing
By Rhiannon Arnold
The Melville Community Men’s Shed has expanded its activity offerings to include fitness programs aimed at improving members’ health and wellbeing. This initiative aligns with the core mission of the Men’s Shed movement: enhancing the physical and mental health of participants through social connection and skill-building.
The Shed’s fitness journey began with yoga classes, funded by a grant from Round 26 of the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) National Shed Development Program. Led by Heather Robbins from Simple as Pi Yoga, the 10week program offered gentle, accessible movement sessions to two groups of 10–12 people each week. This soon expanded, even including some members’ partners, creating a broader sense of community. Participants appreciated how the classes reintroduced them to their body’s potential for movement in a supportive environment.
Building on the success of yoga, the Shed introduced a resistance training program later in the year, delivered in partnership
with Bloom Allied Health. Approximately 22 members participated in sessions conducted at Bloom’s nearby facilities, just a short walk from the Shed. Resistance training has been shown to improve key health metrics such as bone density, muscle mass, strength, and balance, supporting independence and overall wellbeing.
“In order to focus on bodily health and wellbeing, we have partnered this year with local organisations to deliver both yoga and a resistance-based exercise program,” said Melville Community Men’s Shed secretary Chris Yates.
“These programs were enthusiastically attended, with around 20–25 participants each, many of whom were engaging in such activities for the first time. The feedback has been very positive.”
With these fitness offerings complementing traditional activities like woodworking and metalwork, and modern pursuits such as 3D printing and music, the Melville Shed continues to foster a diverse array of Shed activities for members to thrive.
St Ayles Skiff Build with Nannup Men’s Shed (WA)
Published with permission of The Australian Woodworker
In early 2021 Kevin Bird – a member of the Western Australia’s Nannup Men’s Shed – saw a news item on a local TV station concerning the launching of two St Ayles Skiffs in Augusta, West Australia. The skiffs had a unique look about them – something akin to a Viking longboat which really grabbed Kevin’s attention. The news item explained how they had been built from kit form by some likeminded men in Augusta who obviously thought they could do it, even though none of them had any boat building experience. This started a long drawn-out tussle with Kevin’s emotions. What if ... ??
The idea of the St Ayles (pronounced Saint Isles) Skiff was first brought to Western Australia by John Longley AM –veteran of five Australian campaigns for The America’s Cup and America’s Cup Hall of Fame inductee. A member of the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in Perth, John originally saw the skiffs at a boat show in Hobart in 2015. He subsequently encouraged a group of RFBYC members to purchase two kits – including the frames –to make a pair of skiffs which were launched in 2016 and ultimately donated back to the Club by the building team.
The frames used for the construction of the two boats – ‘Dotsie’ and ‘Ripple’ –
Augusta enthusiasts to make their own pair of skiffs.
Kevin Bird was thus eager to know more and, through the Nannup Men’s Shed, to take up the challenge of constructing a skiff. He ultimately raised it at a Nannup Men’s Shed committee meeting. From there the idea grew into reality, even though none of the committee members had any previous experience in boat building.
The first step was to contact the men in Augusta and pick their brains on the process and cost involved. This also including a 45 minute drive to Augusta to see firsthand how they went about their build and what was needed in the way of tools, equipment and manpower.
Next step was to find the finance. This problem was solved by applying for a grant through the local federal politician Nola Merino. There was a nervous wait until they heard that the application was successful. The grant was supplied through the Stronger Communities Programme via the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
The main focus of the project was to involve as many members as possible in
framework used in the construction of the skiff was supplied by the Augusta group. When it arrived at the Nannup Men’s Shed, it was fixed to a base made by the Shed members and bolted to the concrete floor. When the kit to complete the skiff arrived from StrayDog BoatWorks*, work commenced on laminating the Hoop Pine bow and stern stems. Each piece of timber had polyurethane glue applied to both sides, laid side by side around a jig to bend them into the curved shape and then clamped until dry. Each stem had an inner and outer stem post so four actual stems had to be made.
The inner stems were made up of 11 laminations and the outer stems 15 laminations. Each finished stem was passed through a thicknesser to clean up the glue and also to make them exactly 50mm width.
The next step was to remove the frames from the CNC-cut sheets of plywood and glue them together before clamping each frame to the corresponding mould. The inner stems were attached to the mould
together and planed to a triangular shape so when the first planks were laid on each side they almost touched. This was later planed flat to fit the keel.
Each of the planks came in three sections and had to be scarf jointed and glued together according to their individual profile. A system of strings and panel pins were used on a long bench to get the profile right on each plank. They then had to be cut to length and planed at each end where they were to be fixed to the inner stems and also planed along the edges where they overlapped the previous plank. Each plank was then glued in place and held firm with U-shaped wedges. Screws were used to hold the plank firmly to the stem posts and frames, and then removed after the glue dried.
Before each plank was glued in place it was dry fitted and checked for a perfect fit. If any adjustments were needed the plank was taken off modified and then refitted. This process was repeated until a perfect fit was achieved.
Excess glue squeezed out of joints was removed before it set. This made cleanup a lot easier. After the planking was finished the outer stems were shaped (ready for the keel to be attached) and then glued to the inner stem posts. The stem posts were cut flat so the keel would fit snugly in place, same as for the hog. The keel was then glued in place. Fairing compound was used along the full length of each plank to seal the joins where they overlapped and to give it an aesthetically pleasing look.
Before any gluing took place, each piece of plywood timber had to be sealed with epoxy on all sides and each end. At this stage the hull was removed from the moulds and turned over, ready for work to commence on the inside. The fairing exercise was repeated on the inside of each of the planks.
It was decided to have open gunwales in preference to solid gunwales. This gave the opportunity to introduce another species of wood to break up the Pinelook. In this case Sheoak was used to give contrast.
The inwales and gunwales were held in place with glue and trunnels (the wooden pegs which hold the planking together) made of Sheoak.
Breasthooks were fashioned out of Sheoak and glued in place, and then shaped into a slightly rounded shape.
Thwarts were made out of Hoop Pine and held in place with tapered Sheoak pins through the frames. This allowed the thwarts to be removed easily.
The interior of the skiff was painted a gloss grey and the outer a crisp white with the top plank painted red. The large Nannup sign appears midship to highlight the location and the name ‘Ducks on the Pond’ appears on the bow. The name was chosen in acknowledgment of women being part of the rowing crew and a historical reference to shearing shed banter where, when a woman entered the shed the cry “ducks on the pond” went up to alert others to female company.
The finished skiff is 22ft (6.7m) long with a beam of 5ft 8ins (1.7m). It weighs 166kg. During the construction phase, a core group of members who wanted to get involved participated … some were unable to attend each stage but took part in as many of the sessions as they could. Thus the skiff was a combined effort of the Nannup Men’s Shed membership. When completed, the frame was then passed on to a group of fellow enthusiasts in Denmark (WA) for the building of yet two more skiffs. The skiff is now housed in Nannup and the intention is to begin a rowing association separate from the Nannup Men’s Shed. To date a nucleus of interested persons of both sexes have committed to the concept. Although Nannup only has a small ocean frontage,
and is virtually landlocked, it is close enough to Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River and Augusta to make the venture viable.
For anyone wanting more information on the skiff build or the Nannup Men’s Shed, email: nannup@menshedswa.org.au. The Shed is located at lot 251 Monaghan St. Nannup 6275.
* In 2009, in an effort to stimulate boatbuilding activities in the country, The Scottish Fisheries Museum at Anstruther, Fife (Scotland) entered into discussions with Jordan Boats to develop a new rowing boat kit and subsequently commissioned Iain Oughtred to come up with a design for a four-oared vessel. Inspired by traditional Fair Isle skiffs, the St Ayles Skiff thus came into being. Sold in the UK by Jordan Boats, the basic kit comprises the planks, CNC cut in Lloyds-approved Marine Plywood (Okoume plywood); the frames over which the boat is built, CNC cut from WBP plywood; the thin slats of Hoop Pine used in the stems; plus various timber for the hog, keel, gunwales and thwarts. The kit comes complete with a Bote Cote Optimised Epoxy pack. While there are no plans or building instructions provided, there is a rough order of assembly available and a lot of on-line help via videos, etc. StrayDog BoatWorks is the agent for Jordan Boats in Australia. For the Nannup Men’s Shed skiff, the St Ayles Skiff Okoume Plywood Planks and Moulds Kit was purchased in combination with a Bote Cote Optimised Epoxy Pack and additional solid timber pack to complete the vessel.
