The Shed is open for members 8:00am to 3:00pm each weekday. Tuition is available in the workshop, and volunteer supervisors help newcomers to woodwork, metalwork and leatherwork while keeping an eye on safety. Prefer to stay out of the workshop? There are plenty of interest groups too.
A typical week
Monday
8:00 Woodturning · Own woodwork · 8:30 Laser · 9:00 Metal scrolling, Cards, Chess · 12:00 Toy-making 1st Monday: Social Meeting day (Shed closed)
Tuesday
8:00 Leatherwork · Welding training · Own woodwork · 8:30 Guitar lessons · 10:30 Jam session · 12:30 Karaoke, Woodcarving, Guitar · 1:00 HeartFIT
8:00 Small engines · 8:30 Laser · 9:00 Art / painting · 12:00 Ukulele Jam · 1:00 HeartFIT (Shed Rec Room)
Taken from the Shed’s November 2026 Activity Calendar (PDF). Times change month to month — check the latest calendar or call the office on 07 3343 2216 before you come.
In the workshop
Woodwork
Introduction to Woodwork
Learn the correct and safe use of most hand tools. You’ll be given raw timber and shown how to mark out, measure, cut, plane and join it using hand tools. (Woodworking Introduction runs Thursdays 8:00am–12:00pm; the wood-shop is shared only with wood turning during instruction to limit noise.)
Intermediate Woodwork
Wednesdays 8:00am–12 noon. Follows on from the introduction and covers the safe use of most of the heavy woodworking machines. You’re given raw timber and plans for a finished box, and shown how to dress the boards on the jointer and thicknesser, cut parts on the table saw and compound sliding mitre saw, decorate with the scroll saw, join corners with the table-mounted router and Gifkins dovetail jig, and finish on the belt, spindle and disc sanders. This then lets members take part in projects requested of the Shed — and ultimately their own.
Contact: Lloyd Akeroyd, Woodwork Facilitator — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Introduction to woodworkIntermediate woodworkingWoodworking machinery
Induction courses run regularly to introduce new members to wood turning. The group’s Vicmark lathe can spin up to 600mm in diameter, and bowl turning is offered as an extra course so members can earn their yellow dot. The program extends spindle turning (eccentric turning, pens, vases, rolling pins with Celtic knots, laminated spindles) and leads on to bowls — normal, biscuit and dip, fruit, square-edge and natural-edge — then laminated and segmented work.
“Every expert was once a beginner, and you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”— from the Woodturning Group
To join a course (learners or advanced), put your name, membership number, email and phone number on the clipboard at the office.
Contact: Bruce Meyers, Woodturning Group Leader — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Wood carving is a tutor-assisted program — no experience needed. It’s best to have your own chisels and equipment, and you supply your own wood. You can be helped to choose a subject or pick your own.
Wood scroll sawing is a challenge in many ways; some designs need a lot of patience. You can buy design patterns or create your own. To learn, become a member and join the group.
Sheet metal fabrication — turn flat steel sheet into structures or products by cutting, punching, folding and assembling, by hand or with the pan brake, guillotine, spot welder and forming rollers.
Metal scrolling — cut, curl and twist flat and square cold steel rod into shapes, then rivet them together into practical or artistic objects.
Welding — the small welding annex is used to create or repair metal products with stick or MIG welders. Learn-to-weld courses are held from time to time.
Sheet metal fabricationMetal scrollingThe welding shopMetal lathe
CNC routing is part of the technologies group: a computer-controlled cutting machine with a high-speed spindle that cuts wood, composites, metals and plastics.
Laser etching & cutting — create an image with design software, then transfer it onto wood, leather, acrylic, aluminium and more.
3D printing — started by members to explore new technologies; a stepping stone to electronics, 3D design with CAD software, CNC milling, laser etching and robotics.
CNC routerLaser engraver3D printing group
Small engines
Running since 2017, Friday mornings 8am–12 noon. “The group consists of dedicated men who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. They laugh a lot so someone must have told a joke.” Safety always comes first. The course covers workshop safe work practices, tool types and sizes, and 4-stroke and 2-stroke engine parts and operation. Bring your engine, mower or trimmer and work on it under supervision (no diesel engines or ride-on mowers — there isn’t room). Group size is limited by bench space, so come for a chat if you’re interested.
Contact: Ron Frazer, Small Engines Group Leader — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Hands-on leathercraft: hand stitching, plaiting, lacing, knotting and wet forming. Beginners usually start with a personal leather belt with a brass buckle — plain or decorated. Other projects include bags, purses, bracelets, dog leashes and collars, tool sheaths, aprons, folding stools, whips, treasure chests, jewellery boxes, bicycle bags and book jackets. No experience needed; if you continue you’ll build up your own tool kit.
For members who’d rather not use the workshop, groups meet for cooking, guitar, art, photography, cards, computers, travel, darts and more.
Art — painting & drawing
Started on 3 March 2015 as a three-month course — and by popular demand it’s still going strong. A tutor helps you get started and improve (no cost); previous experience isn’t necessary. Any medium: oils, acrylics, watercolour, pencil, coloured pencil, pastel and gouache. Members supply their own equipment and choose their own subjects. A gregarious, happy group that meets Friday mornings, 9am–12 noon.
Contact: Alan Carter, Group Leader — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Art groupA member’s painting
Cartooning
Taught by Kevin Lindeberg, well-known political cartoonist and former TAFE teacher: faces, bodies, movement and setting, and sharpening the message so it’s memorable — serious, ironic or funny. A small but solid, chatty group that welcomes newcomers. “Just bring your smiles and willingness to give it a go.” Pencils, pens, rubbers and paper supplied. Thursdays 9:00am.
Contact: Kevin Lindeberg, Cartooning Tutor — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Cartoons by a member
Music
Guitar and ukulele lessons in many styles, plus JAM and band groups. The more accomplished musicians play at Shed functions and for senior citizens’ organisations when called upon. Check the monthly calendar for weekly times (Tuesdays: guitar lessons, jam session, karaoke; Fridays: ukulele jam).
Contact: Terry Thomson, Music Coordinator — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Every Thursday afternoon in the recreation room, bowling 1:00pm–2:45pm — roll up by 12:45 for the team draw. Two mats take up to sixteen bowlers (usually four to eight). Current bowlers range from 61 to 91 years young, and some have adapted their technique to suit disabilities. No experience needed, no cost — all equipment supplied. “We are not playing to win sheep stations.”
Contact: Jim Wiseman, Carpet Bowls Group Leader — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Carpet bowls
Cards & chess
Members meet weekly to play cards — 500 and Bridge — for fun and for serious games. A new chess group also meets weekly (Mondays 9:00am on the current calendar).
Card group
Cooking
Learn from cooks with years of experience. Every fortnight participants make a new dish — skills that help outside the Shed too. The smells make everyone else very hungry. Herbs from the Shed garden are used in the classes.
Cooking group
HeartFIT exercise
A lively group that meets twice a week (Tuesday and Friday, 1:00pm) for low-impact exercise to music. Trainer Bruce Collins started HeartMoves sessions at the Shed in 2016 and has a passion for ageing strongly.
Contact: Bruce Collins, HeartFIT Group Trainer — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
HeartFIT exercise groupKeeping fit at the Shed
Native bees
Native bees are popular in Brisbane: easy-care, great pollinators, and an active hive can give about 0.8kg of honey a year. Some members are experienced keepers, others are just starting. The group has designed a standard native bee hive that can be made in the Shed workshop; hive boxes are built for sale to members with proceeds going to the Shed. Meets the third Thursday of each month at 10am, usually at the Shed. Shed members are welcome to come along.
Contact: Bill Semple, Native Beekeeping Group Leader — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Native bee groupMaking hives in the workshop
Photography
A dedicated band of members who cover many Shed functions to build a picture history of the Shed’s adventures. Each month there’s a topic to explore and capture — see some of their work in the gallery.
Travel
Social outings that promote good will, good friends and good fun: camping trips (caravans, cabins, campers), day and longer bus tours, boat cruises, and visits to coastal and country places. Monthly planning meetings are usually held in a local park so wives and partners can come. To take part, give your email address to the group secretary.
Contact: Kevin Schneidewin, Group Secretary — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Travel group outing
Writers group
Got a tale to tell? The group began by helping members record family histories and memoirs, and grew into the Stories from the Shed project. Wednesdays 9:00am.
Contact: Kim Tvede, Writers Group Leader — via the Shed office 07 3343 2216
Writers group
Gardening
An active garden section with an ornamental flower garden and a small (but productive!) veggie patch. Herbs go to the cooking classes and members can take produce home.
The Shed gardenVerandah & memorial garden
Darts and computing are listed as interest groups on the current site, but no details were published. [PLACEHOLDER: short write-ups for Darts and Computing (and the Cooking “Read more” page, which is still “Coming soon” on the current site)]
