Russ Davies
AMSA NSW Zone 1
Home Shed-Henty 2658
Position/s held: Past President
Zone Email contact: amsanswzone001@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0427 004 228
AMSA NSW Committee position: Coordinator/Volunteer
Career/Work History: Retired July 2019
Career Firefighter with Defence last 15 years Fire Rescue NSW 41 years inclusive of Community First Response, RFS NSW 7 years, still active. School Bus Owner Operations and Newsagent.
As with most small towns you tend to be involved with a number of community organisations and I have been involved with many over the years. These include Scouts, Fishing Club, Service Clubs of Rotary and Lions holding numerous offices in each. I am currently working towards the establishment of a museum site to house a collection of our district Heritage items and then the cataloguing process.
I was involved with the formation of the Henty Men’s Shed from start in 2007 to date. We built a new shed in 2011 with the official opening in 2012 when AMSA launched its new online “How to Start a Men’s Shed”. I was inaugural President and have been honoured with Life Membership.
Graeme Anderson
AMSA NSW Zone 2
Home Shed; MUDGEE 2850
Position Held; Member
Zone email contact; amsanswzone02@gmail.com
Phone Mobile; 0411019519
AMSA NSW Committee position; Member
Work History;
A qualified mechanical engineer, ex-commercial pilot, with an ongoing interest in business and human activity.
I have built houses to boats, and many other weird to wonderful structures out of a variety of materials with success.
Designed and manufactured new equipment for the oilseed industry both in Australia and offshore.
More recent projects included the development of systems and equipment to produce high-volume fiberglass ray domes for the mobile telephone towers.
Retired as a small sheep farmer in Mudgee.
Other Community Roles;
Many and varied but always there.
LLS volunteer Mudgee, Started a bee group in Mudgee, Secretary of Mudgee model aero club, Garden Club, Committee Mudgee Men's Shed, Coordinator of the new Mudgee model Group, other local events that needed a hand.
Other information relevant to coordinator roles;
At times I have been a large employer, enjoy a challenge, problem solver where possible.
TREASURER
AMSA NSW Zone 03
Member Name: Alex Paton
Home Shed: Sanctuary Point Men’s Shed
Zone Email amsnswzone03@gmail.com
Phone Mobile:0409240166
AMSA NSW Committee position: Treasurer
Career/Work History: 20 years in the navy, mostly in submarines. Job had not improved, time to move on.
Then I built my own home and became a bookkeeper in a transport company.
Then started on the railway and became a Train Driver Driver Trainer. Gave that 20 years, job had not improved.
Other Community Roles:
I have been a Scout leader for about 40 years. I am also a pension and well-being advocate with my RSL for about 15 years. I am now president of my Sub-Branch (Huskisson)
Any other information relevant to the Coordinator role:
On my life journey, I have been a workplace assessor, a first aider, completed a mental first aid course, played golf (Extremely badly), and have been married for more than 50 years.
SECRETARY/VICE PRESIDENT
AMSA NSW Zone 4 Central Tablelands/South West
Member Name: Ian Tooke
Home Shed: Blayney Shire Community Men’s Shed
Position/s held: President
Zone Email contact: amsanswzone04@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0409 590 547
AMSA NSW Committee position: AMSA NSW Secretary/Public Officer/Returning Officer
Career/Work History:
- Industrial Arts teacher 1973-77
-Western Region NSW Education Consultant 1978-81
-Head Teacher Industrial Arts - Willyama High Broken Hill 1982-89
-Deputy Principal Blayney High - 1990-2012
Other Community Roles:
-Member Blayney Rotary Club – Past President and Board member
-Rotary District 9700 Governor 2002-03
-Skillset Ltd Board Member
-Skillset Senior College Board Member
-NSW Justice of the Peace
Any other information relevant to the Coordinator role:
-Inaugural President of the steering committee to set up Blayney Shed in 2007
-Coordinated the building and fit-out of the new shed for occupancy in 2020.
-Enjoy meeting with other Shedders at Cluster meetings.
-Mentor Shedders working on their own or community projects.
-Grants liaison and coordination for local community groups
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
AMSA NSW Zone 5 West – Northwest
Member Name: Mick O’Bryan
Home Shed: Trundle Men’s Shed Inc
Position/s held: Secretary
Zone email contact: nswmsazone5@gmail.com
Phone Land-line 02 6892 1144
Phone Mobile: 0459 774 879
AMSA NSW Committee Position: Member
Career / Work History:
-Shearing, Farm work Labouring, Drillers Offsider, Barman
All over Australia & Great Britain 1973 – 1994
Other Community Roles:
-SES Volunteer 1997- ongoing
-Secretary / Treasurer / Public Officer 2010 till present
Trundle Pub Social Club
-Community Member of Trundle Community Consultative Committee 2010 till present
-Member of Trundle Multi-Purpose Health Committee 2002 till present
Any other information relevant to the coordinator's role:
-Inaugural Secretary of the steering committee of Trundle Men’s Shed 2008
-Inaugural Zone 5 Coordinator
-Successful with the writing of 6 grants
-Enjoy meeting shedders at Zone Cluster Meetings & at the different shed’s in the Zone
-Helping Sheds with their problems
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
AMSA NSWE Zone 6 Mid North Coast
Member Name: Len Keogh
Home Shed: Taree Manning River Men's Shed Inc
Position/s held: Committee Member
Zone Email contact: amsanswzone06@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0457 247 794
Career/Work History:
Long career in Youth Work involving Refuge management, Residential care Aust & NZ working with severely emotionally disturbed Youth, Run Therapeutic Crisis Intervention staff training courses, Direct Care, Train the Trainer, Safe Passage Facilitator Training, 10 years as Project Officer for Youth Drop-in centre. Youth Insearch Leader, a Support worker in adult Residential Care Unit.
Other Community Roles:
Member of the Taree Manning River Men’s Shed Inc since its inception and 8 years as Secretary, attended meetings in Newcastle and the John Hunter hospital, meeting with the Hon. Warren Snowden to support the inclusion of the Men’s Shed movement in the National Men’s Health policy. Involved with health seminars, Depression Awareness workshops, and Mental Health week. Secretary of GROW INTERNATIONAL (Mental Health group support program in Australia, NZ, USA & Ireland)
Any other information relevant to the Coordinator role:
Believes strongly in programs that promote men’s health and in particular Mental health initiatives. Enjoys Networking and forming partnerships for mutual benefit.
AMSA NSW Zone 7 Hunter Region
Member Name: Bob Foxford
Home Shed: Raymond Terrace
Position/s held: Member past Vice President & Safety Officer
Zone Email contact: amsanswzone7@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0419 453 061
AMSA NSW Committee position: Member
Career/Work History:
-NSW Ambulance I.C. Paramedic & Westpac Helicopter Specialist Paramedic over 30 years retired 2000
-Guest lecturer/examiner TAFE 30 years retired 2000
-TAFE Certificate in Woodturning, wood machining, OHS 1 & 2, Workplace Communications
Other Community Roles:
- RAAMC rank Sergeant 10 years
-Member of WOTH past 22 years, 4 years President, 16 years Director
-First Aid Officer & Training Officer
Any other information relevant to the Coordinator role:
-Member of the coordinating committee for the building & layout of the new Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed
-Hunter Men’s Shed Cluster Vice President 2 years, Secretary for 3 years
-RTMS representative to the Cluster for 6 years
-Member of organizing Committee Men’s Health Expo Newcastle
-Wrote & introduced Safety procedures for RTMS
-Visited many Sheds to mentor sheds & support Shed Members when needed
-Maintain contact with Sheds via email & phone & via monthly Cluster Meetings
PRESIDENT
AMSA NSW Zone 8 Western & Upper Hunter
Member Name: John Sharples
Home Shed: Cessnock Men’s Shed & Garden
Position/s held: Chairman
Zone Email contact: amsanswzone08@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0423147326
AMSA NSW Committee position: President
Career/Work History:
- Industrial Arts Teacher 1966-1976
-Head Teacher Industrial Arts, Duval HS & The Entrance HS 1977-1990
-Inspector of Schools (Industrial Arts) 1991
-Manager Recruitment Promotion & Transfer NSW Dept Education 1992-1996
-Deputy Principal Tumbi Umbi HS 1997-2006
Other Community Roles:
Founding President Bateau Bay Men’s Shed
Inaugural Zone Representative Central Coast/Western Lake Macquarie & Upper Hunter
Secretary NSW Men’s Shed Association
Vice Chairman AMSA Board
AMSA NSW Zone 9 Metro-North West and the Blue Mountains
Member Name: Noel Frappell
Home Shed: Nepean Men's Shed 18 - Simeon Road, Orchard Hills, (Penrith)
Position/s held: Zone 9 Volunteer
Zone Email contact: amsanswzone09@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0417 642 092
AMSA NSW Committee -Member
Career/Work History:
My working life was within the Electricity Supply Industry, initially as a tradesman/ Linesman, later leadership, supervisory and training roles within the industry. In 2007 I formed EnerSafe Pty Ltd and developed it to be recognized as a Nationally Accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO) focusing on Powerline Live Worker Training and Assessment. In 2013, EnerSafe was acquired by Lend Lease Pty Ltd.
Other Community Roles:
VP Fellowship of First Fleeters – Penrith / Windsor Chapter
AMSA NSW Zone10
Member Name: Steve OBrien
Home Shed: Leichhardt Community Mens’ Shed
Position/s held: Committee Member
Zone Email contact: amsanswzone10@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0401 157 285
AMSA NSW Committee position: Member, Zone10 rep
Career/Work History:
Electronics Engineer. Currently working in Biomedical Engineering at the University of NSW (part-time)
Previous experience in electronics manufacturing, mining, telecommunications & design consultants.
Hardware & firmware design, production, purchasing. I specialize in getting projects out the door & invoiced!
Other Community Roles:
Leader Sydney PC & Technology Group, Programming SIG (Special Interest Group).
Community Representative for M4 & M4-M5 Link Tunnels Air Quality Committee.
Previously management committee member & Treasurer for Ella Child Care Centre.
Previously management committee member & Treasurer for Dobroyd Point Out of School Hours Care.
Any other information relevant to the Coordinator role:
I see a great future for Mens’ Sheds.
Many sheds will widen their range of activities and diversify into community activity spaces that suit local needs,
which many already have. As well as woodwork there’s other technologies like CNC, 3D printing, electronics & other hobbies that sheds can embrace – it's just a matter of what the members want to do with their time.
I am interested to see the increase in diversity of shed activities over the coming years.
ZONE 11 VACANT
AMSA NSW Zone 12 Northern Rivers / Grafton to Tweed Heads.
Member Name: Tony Heeson
Home Shed: Bangalow Men’s Shed.
Position Held: Member
Zone email contact: amsanswzone12@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0419 715 098
AMSA NSW Position: Zone 12 Volunteer
Career / Work History
Telephone Engineer starting in 1961 working mainly in Sales, in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Formed a Telephone Company in Brisbane in 1977 – Bell Organisation - sold it in 1981.
Formed Energy Products Pty Ltd - supplying Energy Management Systems – we had offices in Brisbane, Sydney. Melbourne.
In 1990 Purchased 110-acre property near Byron Bay and planted 4000 Macadamia Trees. Purchased Bangalow Industrial Estate and built Macadamia Manufacturing Factory – making Wallaby Bars, Macadamia Butter / Oil etc. The products were in every Health Food Store in U.K. Holland and Denmark. Also, Coles, Woolworths and Qantas – Sold the business to Kettle Chip Executives in 2007.
Other Community Roles
President Melbourne Rugby Union Club. Formed Bangalow Rugby Club in 2003 won four Premierships 2005 – 2009.
Elected as a Byron Shire Councillor 2008 – 2012.
President North Coast Rugby Union - Coffs to Tweed Heads from 2008 – 2013.
Member Bangalow Lions Club – President / Secretary 2013 – 2016. Senior Judge at Royal Sydney Show since 2003.
Written two Macadamia Recipe Books – one a best seller over 10,000 copies. Organizer of several events local Food Shows and Bangalow Billy Cart Derby.
Any Other Information
Involved in Starting the Bangalow Men’s Shed in 2014
Co-ordinated the building and fit-out of the Shed including Lease and Grants.
Enjoy visiting all the Men’s Sheds and in most cases helping them in (most cases) deal with the expansion of the property/membership.
Cluster meetings are great, everyone attends and has a great time. Listening and then telling all the members how good everything is going.
It is so good to be involved with The Men’s Shed Organisation.
AMSA NSW Zone 13 Central South
Member Name: Jim Thornton MACS (Snr) CP
Home Shed: Tuggeranong Men’s Shed
Position/s held: Past President
Zone Email contact: NSWMSA.zone13.rep@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0422 933 433
AMSA NSW Committee position: Member
Career/Work History:
-IT industry from 1964 – 2012 before retiring
from program to self-employed business consultant. --- - -Specialized in business design, planning, governance, quality, and project management
-Founding member Project Management Institute Canberra Branch
-Industry experience covers food manufacturing, insurance, Engineering, Federal public service, personnel security vetting, hospital administration.
- Employers include Honeywell, Unisys, DEC, Compaq, Arnotts, Defence Security Branch (Positive Vetting), ITW (Buildex)
-Establish ISO9000 Quality certification for Unisys Australia
-Invented Defence PSAMS (for those in the know) in 1997, which is now used by all government departments.
Other current Community Roles:
Senior member Australian Computer Society
Member of Tuggeranong Community Council (TCC) Executive Committee
Member of TCC Planning and Transport and Communications subcommittee
Member of TCC Southfest committee
Any other information relevant to the Coordinator role:
Invited to join MENSA at 11 (Primary school)
Volunteer in various roles for over 50 years
Guest lecturer at UC on change management and project metrics
Organizing Festival of All Nations (Fitzroy) with over 140 nationalities
Treasurer Australian Computer Society (Canberra Branch)
Treasurer Federation of Australian Movie Makers
AMSA NSW Zone 14 Central Coast.
Member Name Ray Crawley
Home shed. Terrigal Community Men's Shed
Position Held President / foundation and life member
Zone Email amsanswzone14@gmail.com
Mobile phone 0468 331 649
AMSA NSW Committee Position. Executive committee – Environmental Programs
Career Work History. Heavy Engineering. Started as an apprentice and studied to become the Production Superintendent at J Kohler and SONS at Silverwater, in charge of the 4 workshops until 1984 before moving to the Central Coast. Became involved in the development of pole homes and started my own business. Wrote three books on the design and construction of this style of home. Travelled all over Australia promoting homes for the State and Federal Governments. Retired and sold business 2005. Credited for designing over 1000 homes
Community Roles.
Member of Apex until told to leave when I reached the age of 40. Held most committee positions including President.
Joined the Bike for Bibles team and rode on many 8-day rides. The best ride was from Adelaide to Sydney 1446 km in 2006 at the age of 64.12 riding days and 2 rest days. Took weeks to recover.
Other relevant information to the coordinator role. One of the 8 members who started the Terrigal Shed active in all phases of the shed. Enjoy visiting all the Central Coast Sheds and have a great relationship with them. Involved in community projects such as Bushfires Recovery and Blaze Aid. Also now closely working with WIRES and ARC in the construction of nesting boxes to be made in our sheds.
ZONE 15 VACANT
AMSA NSW Zone 16 New England / North West
Member Name: Max Maughan
Home Shed: Manilla Men’s Shed Inc
Position/s held: President
Zone Email contact: amsanswzone16@gmail.com
Phone Mobile: 0408 430 628
AMSA NSW Committee position: member
Career/Work History:
- NSWGR 1963-1969
-Remington Office Machines 1969-1982
-Microbee Computers 1982-1990
-Own Computer Business 1990-2014
Other Community Roles:
-President Gosford Model Railway club 1974-1989
-Secretary Australian Native plants Gosford 2000-2003
-In the early 2007’s I was just a member of up to 7 community groups.
Didn’t hold any positions in any of these groups.
Any other information relevant to the Coordinator role:
-Volunteer cleared for WWCC until 2026
-Statement of attainment First Aid Training until 2023
-Certificate of Accreditation Mental Health First Aid until 2022
-Statement of Attainment. 1. Occupational Health and Safety
-In-service safety testing of electrical equipment.