Hibiscus Coast Men’s Shed

theMillwatermag

Hibiscus Men’s Shed Continuing Journey

Stuart Johnston, Chairman of HMST (left) and Secretary/Treasurer Wayne Drummond, signing the lease.

The development of the Hibiscus Men’s Shed has progressed rapidly since it was first mooted at a public meeting in May 2015. Following incorporation in July, the structure, strategic plans and feasibility studies were carried out, providing potential membership projections and sufficient information to present to the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board, to justify the construction of a Shed on reserve land.

Council and the Trust, working together, examined a total of five potential sites before agreeing that a portion of the redundant Silverdale bowling-green best suited both parties, triggering the statutory requirements necessary to make this happen.

This process was authorised at the December Local Board meeting and involved various consultations and notifications before once again being reported back to the Board and ultimately authorised and agreed in June, allowing the documentation to be drawn up and the Trust executing their lease one year to the day from incorporation. Building design has been decided and detailed planning is underway, with the support of several local businesses, to facilitate the building consent process. Once finalised and lodged with Council, significant fundraising requirements can commence.

Hibiscus Men’s Shed Trust will provide a community facility in the form of a fully equipped workshop, catering for different trades and hobbies, where members can work on either personal of community support tasks, chatting with like-minded members or just enjoying general camaraderie. Over one hundred Sheds in various stages of development are now affiliated to ‘Menzshed NZ Inc.’ – supporting and fulfilling a gap in many communities.

A steady supply of machinery, hand tools, fixtures and fittings continue to be generously donated by many community folk and are safely stored by courtesy of Guardian Storage in Silverdale, pending construction of our Shed.

Should you like to know more about Hibiscus Men’s Shed Trust, enquire about membership, or discuss an equipment donation, please contact:

Stuart Johnston, Ph: 09 424 7854, Mob: 027 492 3357 or hibiscusshed@outlook.com

Interested parties may also like to attend a Trust open meeting and short video and slide presentation on Tuesday August 23rd 11.30am–1.00pm at Orewa Community Centre, Hillary Square. RSVP to Stuart above.

Stuart Johnston Chairman, Hibiscus Men’s Shed Trust

Millwater Women’s Group

Our June meeting was held at the Silverdale Pioneer Village. The clothes swap was a lot of fun as usual and Women’s Refuge was very grateful for our bags of donated garments. Otherwise, we enjoyed as always a good chatter, lovely morning tea and a wee presentation of skincare products – all of which we enjoyed.

The July meeting was held at the Kings Garden Centre Café, which is a change of venue. We are trialling every second month at a local café and will make a decision if this is a good idea in a few months’ time.

Once again: we are always keen to hear from any locals who have something interesting to share with us, so feel free to call me. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month; mostly at the Silverdale Pioneer Village or a café.

Marj Noble 021 711 540