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Where is the Shed?
We are co-located with the Thurgoona Men’s Shed at the corner of Corrys Road and Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona. The map below may also help with locating us:
What do I need to bring once I join?
Yourself! Projects: If you have a specific project you wish to work on then bring that in as well. Please note: we have limited storage space available and may impose limits on how long projects can be stored at the shed. Please check with the coordinator before bringing large projects. Appropriate clothing: Please wear long trousers, enclosed leather shoes and avoid ‘floaty’ clothing eg scarves, jewellery, or anything that could get caught in equipment. Personal Protective Equipment: We encourage members to bring along their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This includes safety eyewear, dust masks, ear muffs/earplugs, and gloves. Materials: It’s often helpful to attend and look around to see what materials are available before starting a project. Then work out if you require any additional materials for your specific project. You will need to supply these items. What is supplied by the Shed?
Tools and machinery: Drills, sanders, saws (eg mitre and table), hammers, files, screws, sandpaper, glues, tape measures. Timber: A limited supply of donated timber (eg pallet wood) is available for use at the Shed. However, if you have a specific project in mind you will need to purchase and supply your own materials (eg timber and fixings). Books: There is also a small library with a selection of books including DIY and maintenance, and novels. PPE: We have a limited supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available. This includes dust masks, earmuffs, safety glasses and gloves. We encourage members to purchase their own and bring them along to their sessions. Do I have to be a member?
Yes: Membership is required to participate in Shed activities. Why? Your membership fees pay for the necessary insurance to cover you for accidental injury and help to cover Shed running costs. New Member Introductory Sessions are held frequently. Click here for session times. Prospective members are invited to attend a session to learn about the Shed and if interested in joining can complete Orientation and Induction on the same night. What does it cost?
Membership: $140 per year: 1 July to 30 June (pro rata fees apply, please see our Membership page). Formal workshops: Fees vary as they are calculated according to material and instructor costs. The Albury Women’s Shed contributes $20 per session to running costs (eg electricity & water) in our shared facility with the Thurgoona Men’s Shed. What do fees and costs cover?
Any fees and costs collected from members go back to the Shed. Membership and session fees are required for: • Insurance: essential for your peace of mind and for the Shed to stay operational • Equipment costs: the initial cost of purchasing equipment (eg tools and machines) • Equipment parts and breakages: to ensure that tools and machines are able to be operated safely • Consumables and hardware: Screws, nails, glue, sandpaper, etc. • Shed running costs: Electricity, water, etc. Tell me about the members introductory sessions
When do sessions occur? New Member Introductory sessions are held frequently. Click here for session times. What is involved? During these sessions you have an opportunity to take a tour of the Shed and complete our Orientation and Induction presentation which includes our health and safety information and guidelines. You can sign up to become a member on the night or take a form with you to decide. The Orientation and Induction presentation is required for insurance and Health and Safety purposes. This session will also help you to become familiar and comfortable with the spaces, tools, and machines at the Shed. How do I prepare? Prospective members are asked to read the Health & Safety Information pack prior to attending. Available under FAQs: Health & Safety Information pack. What do you need to bring? To enter the Shed you must be wearing long trousers and enclosed footwear. Because this is a Health and Safety requirement, we may ask you to come back at another time if you are not wearing these. The Shed can be a noisy and dusty environment. We recommend that you bring along: • A dust mask (either P2 or N95 rated) • Safety glasses (if you already wear glasses, you do not need additional safety glasses) • Earmuffs/earplugs What if you decide to become a member? You can complete a membership form at the introduction session. You’ll be required to pay your membership fees before your next visit or before you operate any tools or machinery at the Shed. Questions If you have any questions about these sessions please email alburywomensshed@gmail.com. Are there any fundraising activities?
Fundraising events are critical to ensure the Shed is able to remain financially viable and can remain open for our diverse membership and community. Operating the Shed costs money, electricity, water, insurance, and physical infrastructure (eg shelving, benches, tools) are some of the key costs. While our membership and session fees cover a proportion of these costs, we aim to keep the Shed as accessible as possible by keeping membership fees to a minimum. As a result, we rely on a range of fundraising from a range of sources such as those listed below. Fundraising BBQs: Fundraising BBQs are usually scheduled once or twice a year. Markets: We aim to fundraise through market stalls two to three times a year. We sell timber products made at the Shed and donated items. Item sales: Members also contribute to Shed funding by donating funds raised from items made at the Shed back to the Shed. Other funding sources: Government and non-government grants have provided us with initial funds to get us off the ground and have funded specific projects. Several local organisations and businesses have also generously provided financial assistance and goods for the Shed. Any suggestions for additional funding are welcome! Who can come to the Women's Shed?
All adult women are welcome at the Shed! It’s a supportive and welcoming environment where we share knowledge, skills, and learn together. We are a community where diverse members are accepted and embraced! We welcome women to come along to check-out the Shed at New Member Introductory Sessions. It is necessary to be a member to use the equipment and work in the Shed as this ensures you are covered by insurance. How can I help at the Shed?
Attend. This helps to provide members with motivation to start and continue projects and helps to maintain vibrancy and enthusiasm at the Shed. Share your skills. Share your knowledge and skills with other members to help build confidence and to support other members in completing projects. Assist with fundraising activities. Volunteer an hour or two of your time when we run BBQs or other fundraising events (eg markets). These activities are essential for helping the Shed to remain financially viable. Become a committee member. Assist to maintain this Web Site and our Facebook page. If you have a particular skill or interest and would like to contribute to Shed operations please let us know. What do women make at the Shed?
Check out our photo gallery and Facebook page to see what our talented and creative members make at the Shed! What you decide to make and create at the Shed is entirely up to you and we encourage members to be accepting and considerate of other’s projects. Please see below for information about the box project that should be completed before completing your own projects in the timber workshop. Timber projects Members make all kinds of wonderful timber projects! Some of the types of projects undertaken in the timber workshop to-date include: • Furniture restoration (including new upholstery) • Chairs from pallet timber • Planter boxes • Coffee tables • Cutting decorative shapes (birds, trees, dragonflies) using a band saw or scroll saw • Building native bee hotels • Woodworking box project (for new members wishing to work in the timber workshop) Following the initial Orientation and Induction, new members wishing to undertake woodworking projects in the timber workshop are requested to start a box project on their next visit. This is a guided project where an experienced Shed member steps you through the use of various tools and machines in the workshop. This project helps to ensure that new members are familiar and comfortable at the Shed and helps to build confidence in the safe and effective use of woodworking tools. Mosaic projects Creative mosaic projects that have been completed at the Shed through formal workshops and during open shed sessions include: • Pots • Tables • Signs • Boards Formal workshops Depending on member interest and instructor availability, the Albury Women’s Shed will from time-to-time deliver scheduled formal workshops. Due to instructor fees and material costs, formal workshops are not typically covered by membership or attendance fees. Members are therefore required to pay for many of our formal workshops. Workshops to date include: • Leadlighting • Cardmaking • Mosaic If advice is required to complete a project there is normally someone who has information they are happy to share. What are the safety requirements?
Orientation and Induction All members are required to complete an Orientation and Induction before undertaking any activities at the Shed. This is a requirement of our insurance and helps to ensure that you are comfortable with undertaking projects at the Shed. New members can undertake their Orientation and Induction at our New Member Introductory Sessions. Clothing: Please avoid ‘floaty’ clothing (eg scarves and clothing with ties and toggles) as these may get caught in machines. Please tuck in any ties and toggles when operating machinery. Footwear: Wear closed-toe leather shoes. You will not be permitted to enter the shed if you are not wearing enclosed footwear. Hair: Ensure long hair is tied back when operating machines. Long pants: Long-pants offer an extra level of protection while working at the Shed and are required to be worn while working at the Shed. You may not be permitted to enter if you are not wearing long trousers. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE such as safety goggles, ear muffs/plugs, and dust masks should be worn while operating machines and working at the Shed. Gloves are also recommended when pulling apart pallets and handling timber. It’s preferable that these items are provided by individual members to ensure we’re COVID safe. Safe operating of tools and machines: Once you’re a member you’ll be introduced to the equipment through the Orientation and Induction process. Someone will be available to show you how to operate the different tools and answer questions when you begin undertaking projects at the Shed. Before operating tools and equipment independently, you’ll be required to demonstrate that you’re able to operate tools and machines safely. What are the amenities and parking at the Shed?
Kitchenette with tea and coffee making facilities basic crockery supplied. Cold drinks are available to purchase. Toilets. Parking is available within the grounds of the Shed. Enter through the gate and continue straight down the side of the building following the road around the end of the building to the parking area. Please consider the needs of all members when parking. When is the Shed open?
For Member session times click here What's happening with Covid-19?
For the latest information click here |