Rare Spares Fundraising Activities for Men’s Shed 18 October 2016 10:25 Rare Spares General, Rare Spares (0) ShareDepression affects 1 in 8 men at some point in their life and can be attributed to many different factors such as personal health issues, life events/ circumstances and even isolation. The factors that lead to depression also make living an enjoyable and fulfilling life very difficult. The Australian Men’s Shed Association aims to tackle these issues by creating a space where its members can engage and encourage one another through a variety of activities and events, all in the name of improving relationships and quality of life. With many Shedder’s also being motoring aficionados, building and restoring their own unique rides, Rare Spares wanted to play a role in assisting the association. Sharing many of the same values as the AMSA, Rare Spares are now undertaking fundraising activities and have been doing so for almost 12 months. When purchasing a Rare Spares product online, customers have the opportunity to make a donation. Donations can also be made at Rare Spares’ two company owned stores, Roxburgh Park and Bayswater North. When customers purchase a product in store, they are informed about Men’s Shed and asked if they would like to make a donation. Roxburgh Park store manager, Brad De Pasquale, spoke on the importance of Men's Shed’s work. “The association is great. It definitely helps the older guys. They get to do hands on activities and spend time with people who have similar interests. The comradery they build with one another is powerful and I think it makes a big difference to their lives.” Both stores feature posters and flyers promoting Men’s Shed and the important work they do. North Bayswater Store Manager, Dylan Boyes, also mentioned how crucial Men’s Shed is to its members. “We all have someone in our family or know somebody who could use a helping hand. Men’s Shed’s around the country provide a great environment to enable a conversation and build friendships. It’s an atmosphere where people can bond and support one another and that is really important.” Rare Spares also show their support through VIP nights, sausage sizzles and even working directly with sheds around Australia, and it’s not just Rare Spares that gives their support, but also Aussie motorsport legend John Bowe. “It’s nice to be able to help people in any way possible, I commend Rare Spares support of Men’s Sheds and the association will always have my support.” JB is proud to be involved with organisations that make a difference, be it restoring classic cars or improving the health and wellbeing of the community. After attending the AMSA annual dinner, the racing icon was deeply impressed with the organisation. “It was a very moving experience, these organisations are incredibly important, and the work they do is vital.” In 2005 there were over 200 Men’s Sheds nationwide and over 930 members and that number has well and truly grown and continues to grow with more Sheds opening around the country. The AMSA aims to create awareness of mental health issues and improve the wellbeing and quality of life of its members. Rare Spares is excited to support such an important organisation and will continue to do so for a long time to come.
Phillip Island Extravaganza! 04 December 2015 10:19 Rare Spares Rare Spares (0) ShareIt was the mid-seventies. ABBA and The Bay City Rollers were on the airwaves. Jaws and Picnic at Hanging Rock was on at the drive-in and Gough Whitlam stood on the steps of Old Parliament House to make his famous “Dismissal” speech. At the same time, a fledgling car parts company was just beginning in the residential basement of a Melbourne suburb. 40 years later, Rare Spares is still growing and we’re stronger than ever! To celebrate this momentous occasion, Rare Spares headed to Phillip Island for the final event of the Touring Car Masters. To add to the party atmosphere, Rare Spares was also celebrating our 10 year partnership with motorsport racing royalty, John Bowe. “We’re lucky enough to be celebrating 40 years in business this week and it’s great to be down here at Phillip Island celebrating with the Touring Car Masters people,” said David Rayner, the proud General Manager of Rare Spares. “Who would have thought Rare Spares would grow to be a multi-million dollar company when we started selling old 48 215 FJ parts. But over the years, thanks to our great staff and great customers, we’ve been able to make many, many thousands of car parts. And by doing so, we’re keeping these wonderful old classic cars on the road. "To help us, we employed John Bowe 10 years ago as our ambassador. And since we’ve had John, our business has boomed. John has got us into motorsports and we’re putting money back into the sport. We are very lucky to have John and to be involved in several sponsorships.” John Bowe was also on hand to talk about this proud milestone. “This is the 40th anniversary of Rare Spares,” beamed JB. “They started with a couple of guys in a little garage and now they make the most amazing variety of over 50,000 parts for Aussie cars. The fact that they’ve been in business for forty years means most of the classic cars in Australia that are still on the road, owe something to Rare Spars. "It’s also my 10th anniversary as a Rare Spares ambassador. They’re great people, they make great parts. Happy Birthday guys and girls and keep up the good work!” he added. With two TCM races on Saturday and one on Sunday, John couldn’t sit around eating the seven kilo 40th birthday cake we had specially made. He had work to do! Race one saw drama at the first turn on the first lap when a competitor’s gearbox blew up, spilling oil on the track. With everyone circulating behind the safety car while the clean-up got underway, by the time they’d finished, the race was almost over, leaving only one lap of real “pedal to the metal” racing. The victory finally went to JB, with everyone only getting half points due to spending most of the race behind the safety car. Race two also went to John, which put him in the enviable position of really just having to turn up to clinch the TCM ProMaster title. Sunday’s race and the final one for 2015 saw an awesome battle between JB and Steve Johnson, with Johnson eventually taking the victory and John not far behind. More importantly however was that JB was able to secure the 2015 title, his fourth one since joining the series! Congratulations John! On the Thursday afternoon before the race weekend began and as part of their commitment to men’s health, Rare Spares and Men’s Shed hosted an event at the local Philip Island RSL. Two TCM cars: Andrew Fischer’s 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO and Cameron Tilley’s 1969 Valliant Pacer turned up. Men’s Shed put on a beaut BBQ, some of the guys came down from their local “Sheds “and even John Bowe was there for a personal one on one chat about what he’s doing and his racing. An action packed and fun filled weekend for all involved, “extravaganza” might be an understatement!
Rare Spares and Men’s Shed Building Men’s Health Together 08 September 2015 05:22 Rare Spares Rare Spares (0) ShareRare Spares is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Australian Men’s Shed Association as part of Rare Spares’ commitment to Men’s Health issues. The new partnership will see Rare Spares and Men’s Shed work together on numerous initiatives to further the Men’s Shed cause. The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) is a not-for-profit organisation that formed in 2007 with the idea of using sheds around the country to offer men a comfortable environment to tackle various projects together, form friendships, break down barriers and in turn open up and communicate on issues that are affecting them. “Partnering with Rare Spares is a perfect fit for the Men’s Shed initiative considering the number of men that use Rare Spares parts to work on their vehicles in their own sheds at home. We’re happy to have the opportunity to work with Rare Spares and look forward to the positive effects this will bring to men around the country,” said David Helmers, Executive Officer of the AMSA. “There has been little encouragement for men to take an interest in their own health and well-being. Many men are reluctant to talk about their emotions or problems and that means that they usually don’t ask for help.” Men who are struggling to cope with no outlet often turn to alcohol, take risks and suffer more from isolation, loneliness and depression. Relationship breakdowns, retrenchment or early retirement from a job, loss of children following divorce, physical or mental illness are just some of the problems that men find hard to deal with on their own. The AMSA provide opportunities to broach these subjects in a familiar environment. “Rare Spares is proud to announce this partnership with the Australian Men’s Shed Association. The AMSA cause is a noble one and resonates with our team. I’m sure the greater Rare Spares community will also get behind the initiative and make a difference to men’s lives across the country,” said Melissa McVeigh, Marketing Manager/Director at Rare Spares. “Rare Spares will be launching a dollar donation campaign online and in store at the Roxburgh Park and Bayswater stores to raise funds for the AMSA. Further initiatives are planned starting in early September with the E-bay auction of a V8 Supercar Hot Lap ride with Jason Bright, where the winning bid amount will be donated to the AMSA.” To find out more about the Australian Men’s Shed Association or to find your nearest Shed call 1300 550 009 or head to http://www.mensshed.org/ To find out more about Rare Spares head to www.rarespares.net.au