The Alpine Multi Skill Group
CREATIVE WARRIOR SERIES
“The main goals of the group are to connect and teach people whilst giving back to the community we all love.”
Jess Short, Founder
It has been a fabulous first year for the Alpine Multi Skill Group (AMSG). What started as a little request to use a big shed full of equipment has snowballed into a 175-strong group of women learning the craft of wood making, woodturning and welding from the older generation of experienced and talented men in Bright. Jess Short could see the potential for a group like this, and with Kevin Hancock, the President of the Bright United Men’s Shed (BUMS), they turned a simple request into a swelling group of passionate people keen to teach and learn the ropes of woodworking. We visited The Shed to celebrate the first anniversary of the group and found women making ski boot racks, spice racks, a stand-up wine and cheese picnic tray, a doggie door, a fruit bowl, garden fence post capitals and a puzzle board - the list just went on and on!
At Britt White Studio, we have also had the pleasure of connecting with Kevin (pictured above with Jess) in our research of wood, and after joining the AMSG, we’re currently making some wall hooks in walnut that we designed. In chatting with Kevin on the night about his experience setting up the group, he said he was glad The Shed now had another purpose. Whilst there was some initial scepticism from their original members, the men now love being rostered for a Thursday night shift to help the eager women achieve their goals. The Australian Men’s Shed Association has even been to visit and has commented that the BUMS are pioneers in their network of 1200 Community Sheds, both with their level of equipment and now their inclusive nature. Another lovely and unexpected outcome has been the mental health benefits for these predominantly over 60 gentlemen. We witnessed this first-hand, and it was wonderful to see the pride and joy exhibited from both sides of the wood-turning lathe.
Here’s what Jess had to say about their journey and what the future holds for the group.
Tell us a little bit about the group and its goals.
The AMSG strives to connect people by offering a safe learning environment for women of all ages to come and learn woodworking, woodturning and welding at BUMS - taught by the existing members of the Men’s Shed. The group's primary goals are to connect and teach people whilst giving back to the community we all love.
The creation of the AMSG Incorporation has allowed volunteers to become engaged and involved in the running of the group by forming a committee that includes both men and women from The Shed. The excitement of seeing what everyone is working on and catching up with others is great for both the volunteer educators (the BUMS) and the women members.
What prompted you to start this group?
After realising there were women in the community who wanted to learn woodwork and other skills such as bike and car maintenance but had no place, means or equipment to do so, I reached out to the BUMS President Kevin to see if there was a chance we could connect this group with their vast array of skills, expertise and equipment. We started with five members; today, we have over 175 members in our Facebook group, and it’s growing every week, so there is undoubtedly a demand for this in town.
Who is your target audience and how do people get started?
Anyone is welcome to come along. Following an induction session targeted at Occupational Health and Safety procedures of the woodworking and welding machines, you can start working on a project from the first session in the shed.
For more details, join the Facebook Group - Alpine Multi Skill Group or turn up on a Thursday at 5.30 pm to undertake an induction and get crafty! The address is at the BUMS - 14 Churchill Avenue, Bright.
Describe a project you are most proud of and why?
AMSG also aims to take on projects to help the local community, including other groups. We recently took on a project to make 72 wooden trophies with bike chains for the Alpine Cycling Club that were presented to the winners of the most recent Gravity Enduro Mountain Bike Race. They looked amazing and were so well received by the organisers that we’ll make them again next year.
What are the future aspirations for the group?
We are working on an events calendar that will include more than just the events at The Shed such as trail running, mountain biking, gardening, pottery and social events, such as wine tasting. The future of The Shed and both groups is very Bright!
All photography by Britt Howard
The Alpine Multi Skill Group is located at the Bright United Men’s Shed - 14 Churchill Avenue, Bright.
Email: alpinemultiskillgroup@gmail.com
Phone: 0402 774 981
