Professional chefs and Shed members Stephen and Paul put on a terrific show of culinary teaching skills for a members cooking class. Our first lesson incorporated some basics but at the same time each bloke got a hands on experience of preparing and cooking a really tasty stir fry. Carrots julienned, garlic, broccollini, paprika, cauliflower, snow peas etc. blanched and then preparing the beef strips and getting it all from the wok to the plate was a lot of fun. And boy, was it tasty! These guys really know their business and provided members with an excellent, entertaining, fun and funny cooking session that beats all the TV style Masterchef crap by a country mile. We ended up with an invitation to other “Sheddies” to come and eat and everybody requested that our in house chefs hold many more classes at the Shed. Top marks fellas.

Illustrating one of the many reasons to be a regular member of the Channel Men’s Shed. Shareholders in the “Splitter Group” take delivery of their new 28 ton log splitter. This is not something that the Shed itself did but an initiative of a number of members (and hopefully future members) who clubbed together to purchase the splitter which, according to one of the share holder’s calculations will repay each shareholder’s investment in less than a year.

Esmail, a regular attendee at the Shed is putting the final touches to his latest project, a slightly retro take on the coffee table in Tasmanian Myrtle. Using the Shed’s large tools, a great deal of patience and skill an (expensive) purchase of rough sawn timber has been transformed into an heirloom piece of furniture.

Local groups put the occasional challenge to members of the Shed. In this case, a member of the fund-raising group intent on providing a Chapel for Snug Village introduced us to the concept of a mock wedding on the bridal table of which they wanted a “wishing” well to collect donations toward the Chapel. The octagonal joinery provided a couple of our members with a little head scratching but the result is something quite impressive. Particularly considering the timber came from a packing case and to the cost was just glue and screws. It is not what you have but how you use it perhaps.

One of our job seekers pictured is working on a project for the Southern Christian College. The Shed has undertaken the construction of a set of training equipment for the junior school designed to enhance motor skills and coordination. The plans required careful consideration to keep cost within the College’s budget and provide suitable training for the job-seekers involved. The Shed’s relationship with Max Employment is presently under review and volunteers interested in supporting this community outreach program are encouraged to call in an chat about the various opportunities available.

Among the Shed’s members are a small group of rock hounds. They organise expeditions to search out local stones and thanks to equipment loans from a couple of enthusiasts, are able to cut their finds using for example, the diamond saw illustrated. There is always the hope of an attractive jewel-like section or as in the case of the rock on the saw, a rather disappointing black as a “reward” for three hours of patient cutting. Paul remains philosophical and looks forward to future expeditions.