The Mobile Men's Shed early in the morning of the Wyong Family Fun Day.
Confusing because the Family Fun Day took place in The Entrance Public School.....
Nonetheless there were plenty of families attending the event and partaking of face painting, drumming and of course the activities at the Mobile Men's Shed. . . .
Up until this event the Mobile Men's Shed has been used as a passive display station at most local events and occasionally with the lathe or scroll saw as a demonstration of shedders skills.
Fortunately, The Entrance Men's Shed had manufactured some community engagement kits for the imminent Dad's Day Out. The "Tissue Box Projects" include a cut out top, two sides and two ends packaged up with tape and including some sandpaper to finish up the job. Just add a hammer, clamp and few nails and there is the potential to engage children and adults in healthy collaborative activity.
Heaven help us ... the first boy that came to the shed asked what do you have ... and commenced his first project ... the hammering noise attracted more customers and .......the ten boxes were used up within a half hour!!!
Short on hammers and nails .. and fast running out of projects.. more were brought from The Entrance Men's Shed .. in all about 40 boxes were made during the day .. eventually running out of boxes for a second time.
As the day progressed, not only did the kids make the boxes, they taught each other, engaged dads, mums, uncles brothers and grandparents in the construction of their projects ... collaborative communities in action.For the Mobile Men's Shed first community participation event this was a resounding success!! However, there were of course some lessons from the overwhelming enthusiasm .... more hammers .. smaller hammers.... more mitre clamps ... more brads .... more volunteers ...and more work areas. All lessons that will contribute the success of these community engagement projects in the future.
Lester's sign "Mens' Sheds" was a great success for advertising the Mobile Shed and keeping the activity area safe.
An activity that includes children (and adults) using hammers and nails has some potential for banged fingers or pierced skin but not one accident was recorded. Placing us next to the First Aid Station may have been expedient but on the day unnecessary.
Since this event the Mobile Men's Shed has been requested at many more community events ... with the request that we provide the "Tissue Boxes" to keep kids, adults and organisers busy and smiling!!
