Thread: Melbourne based get togethers

Originally Posted by Pagie

I shoud be there. What day?

Last Monday of the month
So it will be the 29 August around 7ish start

Cheers Matt

29th OK for me
Bob

Melbourne Get Together

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 11^th 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 29^th 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 29^th 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).

See comments in Woodturning - General forum by Dai Sensei.
Also from Caskwarrior and Ryan in Melbour in Metalworking General in the Metalworking forum.

Bob

Bob and Matt,

Although I plan to attend the next meeting, like the many before it, with my unpredictable health problems (last meeting despite my efforts to stay out of the cold I was laid up in bed with the dreaded lurgies) I thought I post some of my thoughts now.

Monday evenings at the Boxhill RSL is fine, I think it's fairly central, but the last Monday of the month could be looked at. This year the last Monday coincides with four public holidays, Australia Day, Easter, Anzac Day and Christmas. Add to this the extreme winter months and the number of meetings become infrequent.

Also, with the number of separate forums most members only go to the forums of their interest and few seem to use the New Posts or Today's Posts search function. Thus only a few see the reminders of the meetings. A better way of publicizing needs to be found. Maybe a reminder post in each forum is needed. Maybe Neil can advise. I believe this is also the reason for the lack of interest in volunteering for the T & WWW show forum stand.

At the meetings we should encourage people to bring some of their work for show and tell, doesn't have to be perfect work and could be a WIP. They should also be encouraged to ask for advise and help on problems. That would make it a valuable resource in addition to the forum rather then become a talk fest by the same people, although nothing wrong with that either.

With changing the format to all day events at say someones workshop raises the difficulty as to the nature of the day. With few members and us having diverse interests would say turning have interest to say a box maker, toy maker or saw enthusiast? Some comments on that would be helpful.

I hope to see you both, and many others, on the last Monday to discuss these points but meanwhile some others might want to give their views.

Peter.

Peter ,
That's an excellent point about it being the last Monday of the month.
I was unaware my social secretary had made such a huge mistake.[emoji3][emoji3]
(Heads will roll)
We could easily make it another day.
Tho Monday's are generally quite
Which is a bonus for us.

Cheers Matt

While my interest in woodworking has recently neared a peak after finally being able to crack the property market, I'll be unable to attend the meeting on the 29th due to an exam scheduled on the 30th. However, I am interested in other GTG when the opportunity presents itself. I'm mainly available weekends thanks to FT work and PT study.

Cheers,
Hangman

Melbourne Get Togethers

On 14^th August I posted an article by Matt (Simplicity) and myself on 5 of the Woodworking Australia’s Woodworking and Metal Working Forums. To say that the response was disappointing is being somewhat charitable – only 6 responses, including 2 from Queensland.
For the record, there were 308 views and 2 responses from the Woodturning – General Forum (both from Qld); 230 views and 2 responses from The Metal Work Forums- Metalwork General Forum; 90 views and no responses from the Woodworking Photography sub-forum, 65 views and no responses from the Woodworking Musical Instrument sub-forum. In this thread in the Announcements sub-forum, there were 2 responses (one being a regular attendee) – the number of views is unknown.
From these statistics, I can only assume that people are just not interested.
The lack of interest may well be that there are already 6 woodworking clubs (at least) in close proximity to the Box Hill RSL: Waverley, Manningham, Knox, Koonung (Blackburn North), Forest Hill, and Whitehorse.
The possibilty of including practical workshops, expanded show & tell, visits to suppliers and demonstrations of new tools and techniques was largely ignored; again I suggest because these activities are well covered by existing wood working clubs.
In discussions at previous get-togethers it was often suggested that the low number of attendees was due to the fact the people didn’t know of our existence. The response (or more correctly the lack of response) to our post 2 weeks ago would suggest that this assumption is invalid.
The next Melbourne get-to-gether is on Monday, 29^th August at 7.00 pm. the venue is the Box Hill RSL, 26-28 Nelson Rd, Box Hill .

What we would like to know is this.
Are you interested in us keeping this going.?
Just a few more points to clarify things.

You don't have to commit on coming ever month.
You can say your coming ever month and never turn up(we won't be upset).

Yes you can bring your mother in law.

It is completely free ,except for your travel expenses or you walk.
Unless you buy a drink or two there or even a meal.

You won't be intimidated by us were just regular JO,s

Except Bob he's actually very nice [emoji3]

If you turn up and leave half an hour later because the conversation is less exciting then watching poo dry on a hot pavement we will understand.

So ,to clarify please ,just show some interest
before some of us start to look desperate.

Cheers Matt
(Also apparently a nice guy)

I have not previously replied but am well aware of this thread.

My time is valuable, and it is not that I do not want to go, but rather not keen for a late night and travel. Like others I work full time and then for myself plus go "On Call". My own work is unpredictable, might have no one lined up for the night, then get two calls in the afternoon. When I get home I am happy to put my feet up and look at the WWF.
Just to let you know how bad it is, I could walk to the Working with Wood Show, but last year was busy with customers (and at work on the Friday till 4pm).
It is very hard to find a perfect day and venue which will attract sufficient attendance to make it worth while, but other groups which used to have big numbers have the same problem (think churches, RSL clubs) but at least the WWF lets you connect almost anywhere at any time.
Yes it is great to put a name to a face, and many on here feel like friends to me even if we have never met in person.

Put it on when I'm down and I'll be there for sure

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Originally Posted by Handyjack

I have not previously replied but am well aware of this thread.

My time is valuable, and it is not that I do not want to go, but rather not keen for a late night and travel. Like others I work full time and then for myself plus go "On Call". My own work is unpredictable, might have no one lined up for the night, then get two calls in the afternoon. When I get home I am happy to put my feet up and look at the WWF.
Just to let you know how bad it is, I could walk to the Working with Wood Show, but last year was busy with customers (and at work on the Friday till 4pm).
It is very hard to find a perfect day and venue which will attract sufficient attendance to make it worth while, but other groups which used to have big numbers have the same problem (think churches, RSL clubs) but at least the WWF lets you connect almost anywhere at any time.
Yes it is great to put a name to a face, and many on here feel like friends to me even if we have never met in person.

Handyjack

We understand perfectly what your saying.
I to have work hours all over the place one week might only be 35 hours, next week is 14 hour days 7 days a week.
But showing a interest is a big thumbs up [emoji106][emoji106]
That's a big start.
So thank you Matt.
Also now out of edit credits sorry.

Originally Posted by DaveTTC

Put it on when I'm down and I'll be there for sure

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

O you want us to make it all about YOU
LOL

I plan to be there next Monday and I have a few (19) little turned boxes for Show and Tell. All new designs and shapes and some even coloured to get Show and Tell rolling.

Peter.