Since Matt (Simplicity) floated the idea in the “Announcements Forum” of a monthly get together of forum members 14 months ago, there have been 273 posts on this thread, but still the group is struggling to get more than 3 or 4 members able to make it each month.

As there appears to be only a handful of members who have been able to make it to any of the nights or even to contribute to the discussion on the forum; it could be concluded that we are “flogging a dead horse”.

Matt and I have discussed this and I have discussed it with Neil (Ubeaut) and we don’t believe that the “dead horse” conclusion is correct. Neil has agreed to support us with more publicity through the forum pages.
Matt proposed a get together encompassing all members of the woodworking and metal working forums and sub-forums. If you are interested in woodworking, metal working, photographing your master pieces, or maybe just telling tall tales (some true) or our best loved jokes, you are included. You may be an absolute beginner or seasoned professional; hobby worker or full timer. If you participate in any of the forums or sub-forums this is an opportunity to share experiences and skills; and to put faces to the names of other contributors to the forum. And of course partners are welcomed.

A meeting with Neil has been scheduled for Sunday 11th September after the stall at the Working With Wood Show is packed up – about 2.00pm.

Some members have put forward suggestions as to measures which we could take to improve the numbers able to attend – Rotating the venue and changing the day, for example. Would an occasional Saturday activity such as a visit to Ubeaut, Pop’s Shed, Carrolls Woodcraft Supplies, Hare & Forbes, etc. for equipment and supplies demonstrations or a training day with a leading professional attract more attendees? Maybe even including an in depth “show and tell” at some GTGs where a member ‘volunteers’ to show some of his/her work and discuss the techniques used.
Or is it a time to get away and just talk and maybe share a drink with old and new friends?

Our scheduled meeting at the Box Hill RSL on Monday 29th August is important in defining the future of the Melbourne GTGs.

At the end of our next meeting we need to be able present a clear outline to Neil as to who we are and what assistance we seek in promoting our group to a much wider audience. Or it maybe that initially we wish to conduct a poll through the forum to clarify the level of interest in attending the GTGs and the activities which are of interest to forum members at large.

Please make the effort to join us on the 29th or, if unable to attend, post your comments and / or interest in attending future get togethers on the forum Melbourne based get togethers
or you may send a Private Message through the forum to Matt (Simplicity) or myself (Oldgreybeard).