The team at the MenShed gathers each Tuesday and Thursday mornings. During this time we make stuff – often from recycled materials and always for the community.
However during this time there is always time for a brew.
Its a great opportunity to catch up and solve the worlds problems. This week we also welcomed back Sue. Sue started what I am sure will be a new tradition – Sue returned with scones!
Welcome back Sue, we missed you.
WAI Wānaka is an organisation.
An organisation made up of passionate people working toward empowering communities to understand natural waters such as lakes and streams, their environment, and their impact.
The team from the MenShed regularly work with WAI Wānaka.
This week the team delivered a interactive display board that will be used to help explain to school children the importance of the natural waters that occurs within the environment. The board was designed together and then built by the team from the MenShed.
Lets hope the kids enjoy it – and learn things as well!
The display board was not the only delivery this week to WAI Wānaka.
Six disks have been created. When painted they will help measure the clarity of waters in our streams, springs, lakes and rivers.
We very much appreciate the opportunity to work with WAI Wānaka. Together community groups can make a real difference for our natural environment and the wellbeing of future generations.
This week the MenShed team from the Wanaka Community Workshop prepared a small seedling tray The tray is the first of a dozen or more that will be distributed to pre schools across the Upper Clutha.
The idea is the brain child of Jo from the Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust.
Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust is our community-based native plant nursery which specializes in propagating plants of local origin for the restoration of local habitats.
Getting our kids involved in growing plants contributes to their growing an appreciation of our natural environment.
Its a great idea Jo. We are delighted to help.
Last week the Wanaka Community Workshop welcomed back MINT.
MINT is our local community trust which supports those in Upper Clutha Area with intellectual disabilities.
As part of their comprehensive program MINT visits the Wanaka Community Workshop each month.
Our team at the Wanaka Community Workshop really appreciates the opportunity to work with MINT.
This month our visitors assembled a wooden toolbox.
Our team prepared the materials. They also supported assembly on the day.
Everyone got to take home their work.
The Wanaka Community Workshop exists to make a difference – a difference for our community, for our natural environment.
We very much appreciate it when our efforts are recognised.
We especially appreciate it when this appreciation is in the form of donations that support our efforts.
Lynn River, the premier supplier of New Zealand workplace safety needs have made a difference for us.
Lynn River have donated a comprehensive range of safety equipment for those who work at the Wanaka Community Workshop – our volunteers and supporters.
Safety glasses and shields, gloves, dust masks and hearing protection – for both adults and kids – will help ensure our workplace is safe. We want our volunteers and supporters to go home safe and sound following their time working with us.
Lynn River helping make our workplaces safe both nation wide and at the Wanaka Community Workshop.
A few weeks back the team at the MenShed completed new nesting platforms for the Wanaka population of the rare and endangered Crested Grebes.
The platforms were of an enhanced design that reflected experience with the birds over recent years.
The platforms were recently placed into Roys Bay near the marina and just offshore from the new walkway.
The greatest visual innovation with the platforms is that they have been painted.
Over Matariki local kids added their artwork to each platform. As a result it will easier for each of us the track how the nesting Grebes and chicks are progressing next spring.
Getting the new generation of local residents involved with ensuring the health and wellbeing of our Crested Grebes is a great initiative.
After weeks of planning and effort Fabricate is now operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop.
Fabricate brings to the Wanaka an opportunity for the community to create with textiles. The first sewing machines are in place with more to follow.
Fabricate is calling for donations to help with their set up.
Members of our great community have responded with a flow of cloth, materials and equipment delivered to the Wanaka Community Workshop in Gordon Road.
Call in to the Workshop and take a look at what’s happening with Fabricate.
Changes are nearing completion at the Wanaka Community Workshop.
A new space has been created. The space is known as Fabricate and will focus upon working with textiles – sewing, stitching, upholstery etc.
It’s going to be great – a whole new opportunity for our community.
Fabricate is the brain child of Sue and Claire who have also undertaken much of the work to create the new space.
The team from the MenShed have contributed – lent a hand. This has involved painting, lighting, creating layout and sewing tables, shelving.
Its been fun.
For members of the MenShed its great to see projects they have worked on serving their intended purpose.
Over recent weeks three food banks have been delivered – to the Wanaka Community Hub, the Wanaka Recreation Centre and at Lugate.
Each provides an opportunity to share local produce and to reduce the cost of feeding families.
Food banks are a great concept and the team at the MenShed are delighted to have been part of the project.
At times one just needs a break. While its sunny, its also cool – the first snows have fallen in Wanaka.
Time for mid year Christmas!
This week the team at the Menshed had an extended tea break – complete with cake and a rather dubious Christmas tree.
Its great to get stuff done but its also great to enjoy each others company.
A not for profit charitable trust, Wanaka Community Workshop (WCW) operations is heavily reliant on volunteer time, contestable funding and community goodwill to meet its operating budget and outgoing expenses, while balancing the need to deliver the trust’s purposes, which are to build community resilience by enabling community connection; creating social situations where people can develop new skills; and reducing waste in the construction sector.
“Grants pay for things like tools, but sponsorship in the form of cash is a massive boost. Thanks to ITM’s support, Wanaka Community Workshop will be able to scale up its operations by turning some volunteer roles into paid roles, which will enable us to increase our capacity and assist more people in the community,” says WCW co-founder and trustee Ben Acland.
“ITM have been supporting us with a trade account, special rates and deals on tools and timber since we started, and by giving us wood that could not be sold but was still suitable for the WCW’s trap making projects. It’s a long-standing partnership which has made it possible for WCW to operate,” says Ben.
ITM and WCW are looking forward to working together to reduce build and construction waste.
WCW, now in its second year, is going from strength to strength. With a growing membership base, a strong local MenShed group, and a workshop product offering, the WCW has good community engagement and is collaborating with many environmental trusts in the Upper Clutha region.
The Friends of Bullock Creek recently completed an extension to their walkway. The walkway enables easy access to this wonderful ecological gem located within the urban area of Wanaka.
The Friends have over the years been the catalyst behind the restoration and protection of Bullock Creek and the fresh wayer springs which are its source.
The team at the MenShed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop contributed to the walkway extension. Our job was to cut the boards that make up the walkway.
It was great to collaborate with the Friends of Bullock Creek to create something special for our local community.
A few weeks back the Wanaka Community Workshop hosted Wanaka Backyard Trapping – an agency promoting the trapping of pests by local land owners.
Wanaka Backyard Trapping introduced the concept of a trap library – traps that people may borrow, much like people borrow books from the library.
The traps have been a roaring success. All have been borrowed and are now out do their bit to restore our natural environment.
The team at the MenShed, who also operate from the Wanaka Community Workshop, are currently building a “Trap Shed” to house the library.
The “Trap Shed” will enable people to borrow and return traps at times convenient for them.
The “Trap Shed” will be located at the Wanaka Community Workshop.
The Wanaka Community Workshop has been operating for about a year.
Starting off small, one of our initial projects was the fabrication of gnome houses. Each was then painted by kids from Duke of Edinburgh and William Pike then erected adjacent to the children’s pump cycle track in Bremner Bay.
It was a great project – fun to do. The kids were excited to see their work.
A year on they still look good!
All stormwater that falls upon land across the Upper Clutha eventually drains into our Lakes and Rivers. Stormwater is not pure. It picks up and takes with it materials and chemicals that our natural waters can do without.
Furthermore many of us directly pour liquids we no longer want for ourselves down the stormwater drain – liquids like soaps and petrochemicals.
Wanaka’s Touchstone Project, Friends of Bullock Creek and Fish & Game New Zealand are seeking to ensure each of us do our best to avoid contaminating our fresh lake and river waters.
This week the team at the MenShed collaborated with these community groups and agencies putting the final touches to “steel fish, birds and eels” that will be placed upon stormwater drains.
Each displays the reminder “Only Rain” to encourage each of us not to pour anything else down the drain.
Look for them and abide by their message.
The newest member of the New Zealand’s network of lilliput libraries stands just outside the main public entrance to the Wanaka Recreation Centre.
Lilliput number 305 is managed by staff at Wanaka Library.
Since established Lilliput 305 has been busy – on average 23 books every day are being withdrawn.
A few weeks back, the library was built by the team at the MenShed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop. The paint job was undertaken by local kids.
Its a great initiative making a difference for our community.
Over many years a significant effort has been underway throughout the Upper Clutha to reduce the threat of pests to our endangered wildlife.
Part of this effort involves traps that target killers – stoats, possums, and rats.
A host of agencies are involved. These include the Department of Conservation, community and environmental groups, firms, schools and individuals.
The team at the MenShed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop contribute to this effort with the manufacture of traps for many of these agencies.
We also make traps for sale to individuals and families.
Some are farmers. Others live in town. The traps are used in residential and commercial areas as well as within the rural sector.
Each of us, whether part of a group or as an individual can make a difference.
From the Wanaka Community Workshop we sell rat traps as well as more sophisticated stoat traps.
Recently the team from the Men’s Shed have been working with the Department of Conservation piloting a new design for traps.
The traps are intended for Norwegian Rats which reside on islands within Lake Wanaka. The islands are also home to rare Weka – curious birds with long beaks.
The new traps are longer. They also provide for a new tunnel entrance. Both these changes are designed to keep the Weka (and its long beak) well back from the trap while retaining easy access for rats.
The collaboration and innovation involved with the new traps are aimed at making a difference for our endangered wildlife.
The Wanaka Community Workshop continues to benefit from the donation of materials and equipment.
Our community is strong and its humbling to receive these gifts.
Building materials are often dropped off at the Workshop in Gordon Road but the team from the Mens Shed also collect from sites across Wanaka.
A great sign of success is that we are upgrading our ability to store material.
We receive donations of equipment including power and hand tools from families and commercial firms.
Together this equipment, material and hardware are making a difference.
At the Wanaka Community Workshop we re-use and re-purpose these donations creating products to benefit our community.
Lilliput Library
Cromwell Kidsfirst Kindergaten now has their Lilliput Library up at 25 Gilling Place, Cromwell, New Zealand.
A year ago Nicola came into the WCW and asked about the Lilliput Library she had seen in the media. Cromwell kids could really do with one.
The workshop had only just started and we were trying to work out products we could make and sell to keep our space going. We suggested some financial contribution for the product, but when Nicola heard this her head dropped and informed us that the Kindergaten and the kids it looks after are not in a position to contribute.
So of course we made it anyway and it was one of the first items our MenShed group made and delivered. The team at the workshop could not be more happy to see it bringing books to the community in Cromwell.
The MenShed group can make all sorts of things. We do need money to keep our trust operating, but like the Kidsfirst Kindergarten we do make things under different arrangements. There are also many grants that groups could apply for funding from.
Do you or a group you represent need something made by the MenShed group at the Wanaka Community Workshop? Contact us to find out how. Contact details are on our Facebook site or website.
This week the team at the Mens Shed were preparing for the next visit by the MINT Charitable Trust to the Wanaka Community Workshop.
The MINT Trust support those in Upper Clutha Area with intellectual disabilities.
Each visit to the Wanaka Community Workshop involves practicable work assembling an item that can be taken home.
The next visit will focus upon putting together a wooden tool box. The idea for the tool box was put forward by the participants during their last visit.
Visits to the Wanaka Community Workshop are now part of a wider regular MINT program, getting out and about in the Wanaka community.
The team at the Mens Shed love it.
This week members of the Mens Shed working from the Wanaka Community Workshop completed a job for the Friends of Bullock Creek.
Bullock Creek emerges from ground water springs and runs through Wanaka entering the Lake adjacent to Dinosaur Park.
The stream is a treasured natural icon of our town.
Over many years the Friends have devoted themselves to ensuring Bullock Creek is both protected and acts as a natural area we can all enjoy.
The job undertaken by the Mens Shed involved cutting timber that will make up the floor of a new board walk that the Friends are establishing in the upper catchment area of the creek.
Its a great project.
It makes a difference to grow your own vegetables – a taste difference for us and its easier on the planet.
This week the team from the Mensshed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop built a structure to house a raised garden.
The new garden will serve a number of our elder residents of Wanaka. Designed to reduce bending the garden will be easy to use.
Come next spring the newly installed garden will be blooming.
Each of us wear multiple hats – Marcus is both a team member of the MensShed and a member of the community group Wanaka Backyard Trapping.
Recently Marcus has been putting the final touches on traps that will initially stock Wanaka’s first trap library.
Managed by Wanaka Backyard Trapping the library will be located at the Wanaka Community Workshop.
The library will enable locals to borrow a trap and deal to pests on our own properties and backyards. Together with trapping programs underway on our parks and public lands this initiative will aid in achieving a pest free environment we can all enjoy.
This week Sue used her skills to cut wood – wood for traps.
A focus for the team at the Mens Shed (clearly not just men) as been traps. Sophisticated traps for stoats that will be located in backyards across the Upper Clutha and around the urban shoreline of Lake Wanaka.
“Its great to learn new skills” said Sue “and people here are keen to share their experience and knowhow”.
The MINT Charitable Trust is all about forging great lives for those with intellectual disabilities in the Upper Clutha Region.
As part of this program this week MINT came to the Mens Shed at the Wanaka Community Workshop.
It was great to have them.
After a few hours on the tools everyone went home with their own wooden box.
The MINT Charitable Trust operates a comprehensive program including drama, arts and the outdoors. The team at the Wanaka Community Workshop are proud to be part of the program.
Over the next few weeks a number of community groups will be encouraging households across the Upper Clutha to trap stoats and rats. The effort is part of a wider program to create a local environment that is predator free.
To achieve this outcome each of us will need to do our bit.
The Mens Shed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop have started work building traps for this initiative. Some will be for sale while others will form the basis of a trap “lending library”.
Its a great initiative, something that will make a real difference ight in your backyard.
Changes are underway at the Wanaka Community Workshop.
Currently the Workshop largely focusses upon working with wood. We are now preparing space that will be designed and equipped for working with textiles.
This month the team leading the change together with members of the Mens Shed have started conversion of what was underutilised space within the workshop.
The space will create a whole range of new opportunities for members of our community. Looking forward to it!
Food banks are part of the social infrastructure serving communities across the Upper Clutha.
The team at the Mens Shed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop have built a small number of shelving units designed to receive donated food and permit easy pick up. They have proved so effective that this month two more units are nearing completion.
Its great to see groups working together for the benefit of our community and in a way that makes the best use of local resources.
Insects are a critical element of our natural environment. Most pollination of plants is carried out by insects. They are also a key source of food for our native birds.
The team at the Mens Shed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop have been asked to provide structures to accommodate insects – “bug hotels”.
Built from untreated recycled timber the “hotels” will be filled with sticks and moss to attract and shelter insects. They will be placed in gardens across Wanaka. Next Spring we will all benefit from more butterflies, moths and solitary bees.
Visiting one of the regions antique stores Alan spotted a hand forged pick – a relic of the gold rush. He considered the tool deserved a new life.
Using equipment at the Wanaka Community Workshop Alan cleaned and brushed up the steel. He then turned and shaped a new handle.
Good as new!
Te Kakano is a Trust which operates a Wanaka community based native plant nursery. It specialises in propagating plants originating from our local Upper Clutha region.
The plants raised are then used for native habitat restoration around the region. In this the Trust works with local community groups, schools, organisations and businesses in a hands on approach.
This approach can be tough on tools.
This month supporters of the MenShed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop have repaired and replaced the handles of those tools which could not stand the pace.
Again its a cooperative effort. Wanaka Rotary are funding needed parts while supporters of the MenShed are doing the assembly and fitting. Together, working with Te Kakano, making a difference in our community.
At the Wanaka Community Workshop the MenShed team were recently joined by members of the Wanaka Garden Club.
The Club is planning a get together for their members in late March. The get together will held at the Workshop. One of the objectives is for members of the Garden Club to assemble seed box’s within which seedlings can get their start.
The box’s are made from recycled wood. Wood that would otherwise have been dumped.
Supporters of the MenShed are using equipment within the Wanaka Community Workshop to prefabricate the material for the box’s.
A great case of community groups working together!
M!NT is a group of local parents in our community who are supporting children and young adults with intellectual disabilities.
Jude who works with M!NT as their ambassador dropped into the Wanaka Community Workshop recently. She shared her idea with supporters of the MenShed that they could make “something” to be sold at an upcoming auction. Funds raised from the auction will benefit M!NT.
A great idea.
Over the next month the team designed and built a few wooden toys. The first time the supporters have created toys. A few lessons learnt but a great outcome.
A key objective of the Wanaka Community Workshop is to reduce waste. The key means by which we achieve this is by re-using and re-purposing material that would otherwise be dumped.
Recently volunteers dismantled wooden racks which once held products at the now closed Mitre 10 shop off Reece Cresent.
This work took many hours.
The outcome was Oregon framing timber, plywood and MDF/HDF board suitable for re-use.
This material was offered for sale. The funds raised by the sales will support the operations of the Wanaka Community Workshop.
The Oregon, plywood and MDF / HDF Board are funding new uses.
Most has gone to projects around peoples homes – lining garages, shelving, playhouses. Some uses were more exotic – a floor with a yurt at Hawea for example.
Its great to see this material being re-used. Construction material makes up a large proportion of material we dump as a society. Our planet cannot afford for this to continue.
Insects are a key part of our ecosystem. They are pollinators, they deal with waste and they are food for a host of animals.
Given these benefits its important to monitor the extent and diversity of insect populations.
This week the team from the Mens (and womans) Shed completed six insect monitoring stations for WAI Wānaka. WAI Wānaka work to accelerate local action for our fresh water.
The stations will be placed along the shoreline of Lake Wānaka adjacent to boardwalk recently built by the Queenstown Lakes District Council. The stations have been designed to provide attractive homes for insects. Their number and diversity can then be easily monitored thus providing an insight into the health of the lakeside habitat.
Many such stations used elsewhere are plastic. Ours are built from recycled untreated timber. The project brings a double benefit – less waste to landfill as well as enabling the health of our insect population to be checked.
At the Wanaka Community Workshop we use recycled materials, materials which would otherwise have been disposed of. Wood products such as timber and plywood as well as screws, nails and bolts are an important part of this.
However we also reuse paint and stains which would otherwise have been disposed of.
We need to store these products safely.
In response the team at the MenShed which operates from the Wanaka Community Workshop have over recent weeks built a store for this material.
It’s great we can save material from landfill. Even better that we can do this safely.
Reading is important. Important for society as a whole. Important for us as individuals. Its also fun.
Encouraging reading is a key mission for Wanaka Library. Part of this is making it easy for folk to access books. With a great book collection at the library and on line, our librarians are working to complement this with a network of Lilliput Libraries.
Lilliput Libraries are small Drop Off Pick It Up facilities placed out in neighbourhoods. They operate like a book exchange.
This week the team at the MenShed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop completed the first of a number of Lilliput Libraries from which the service will operate.
Built from recycled materials a key requirement of the design is to keep the books dry. The library’s will now be fitted out. Look for one near your place.
Within Lake Wanaka are four islands – Mou Waho (120 ha), Te Peka Karara (65 ha), Mou Tapu (120ha) and Ruby Island (3 ha).
The Department of Conservation in association with community groups are working to create pest free haven’s on the largest three islands.
Their work has already permitted buff weka to be returned to the islands.
The work to ensure pest free status never stops. A key threat is the Norway Rat.
The Norway Rat is a real beast – it can weigh more than half a kilogram and (with its tail) extend more than 40cm.
The Norway Rat can also swim. The distance to the islands from the shore of Lake Wanaka poses no issue.
Furthermore the Norway Rat is smart – to catch them requires a sophisticated trap. The design needs to reflect lessons learnt in the wild. What worked well two years ago does not work so well now – Norway Rats also learn!
The team at the Menshed operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop have been working on a batch of rat traps – traps of the latest design targeting Norway Rats.
The traps will make a difference on the ground for our endangered species.
The MenShed operates out of the Wanaka Community Workshop every Tuesday and Thursday morning. This week Peter Young dropped in with an offer – would we like a band saw?
Would we?
We would love it!
Half and hour later Peter was back.
Peter brought with him a band saw that had served him over many years. Peter is relocating from Wanaka and thought the Community Workshop would be a great place for the band saw to continue its work.
With gifts of equipment like that from Peter, together with targeted purchases, the Wanaka Community Workshop is increasing its range of capabilities.
Thanks to Peter. We will make great use of his band saw.
This week John Darby who has led the program to save the endangered Great Crested Grebe’s for the last decade visited the Wanaka Community Workshop. John was accompanied by Dave Thomas and Markus Hermanns.
They were checking out the refurbishment of a second batch of nesting platforms.
The Great Crested Grebe is a water bird that uses floating nests. With Lake Wanaka fluctuating water levels their nests can be left high and dry. As the birds cannot walk on land due to their anatomy – their legs are far back on their body – this is a significant problem.
The nesting platforms which are anchored to the lake bottom have been designed by John. The design is continually improved in the light of experience.
Members of the MenShed, operating from the Wanaka Community Workshop, are restoring and upgrading the platforms to the latest design.
Tired of picking your bike up off the floor? Weary of trying to balance your cycle up against a wall?
The Wanaka Community Workshop has the answer to your problem – a bike stand.
The stands are made from construction waste that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill.
Simple, stable and custom designed to fit different tyre widths – from the fattest fat to a slim road racer.
Funds raised from the sale of bike stands will be ploughed back into community initiatives undertaken by the Wanaka Community Workshop.
Over the holidays Sarah has been picking cherries in the Upper Clutha. This week before heading back north to University she dropped into the Wanaka Community Workshop. Sarah was looking to make a contribution to our community.
She joined the team from the Mens Shed for a morning.
We are currently building a batch of sophisticated rat rats. The design of the trap reflects lessons learnt in the bush not only to more effectively catch the intended prey but also ensure kea and weka are protected.
Electric drill in hand Sarah joined the production line. She soon completed her first trap that will soon be deployed into our natural environment.
Its great to welcome visitors such as Sarah seeking to make a contribution to our community.
It may surprise some but its not all work at the Mens Shed.
We also enjoy the odd brew – a cuppa.
Indeed the time for a cuppa is a key part of our day. A time to catch up and share stories.
Without running water in our kitchen our brew ups were more akin to camping.
Good news!
This month Neil Green of the firm BC Plumbing & Maintenance came to our rescue with his time and skills. We now have water!
But that is not all.
We have installed a dishwasher. A dishwasher which was gifted by one of our volunteers. Also a microwave oven that our supporters purchased from the Hospice Shop just two doors down from the Wanaka Community Workshop.
Not only can we now serve a descent brew but a hot pie as well!
Luxury.
Neil (third from right) enjoys a cuppa with the team at the Mens Shed
Its always great to welcome folk who drop into the Wanaka Community Centre.
This week Catie called in to give a hand to the supporters of the MenShed. Catie is working in town over the University holidays, heard about the MenShed and thought she would give it a go.
We were busy.
The supporters are currently building bike stands, rat traps, a stand to collect batteries for recycling, neighborhood book exchange / libraries. However with Catie’s support we finished the last of a second batch of nesting platforms.
Being a budding engineer she had a few ideas were we could improve our operations. We will work on these too.
Gillian and her husband moved to Wanaka in July.
Gillian’s family had holidayed here for years. Taking the plunge and relocating south from Auckland meant they needed to engage with the community here in Wanaka.
They joined the MenShed.
“It was great to learn new skills” said Gillian.
But what I love most about the MenShed and the Wanaka Community Workshop is the opportunity to meet others from across the community.
“To feel I am contributing in some small way to the great community we have joined at Wanaka is really satisfying.”
“I knew little or nothing about working with wood when I started, said Gillian. The people at the MenShed have been great. Within a couple of months I was able to use the facilities and equipment at the Wanaka Community Workshop to build a rocking horse for my granddaughter.
Most of the members of the MenShed are blokes. But its not for men, its for any person who want to make a difference. Come on over and see if its for you.
Early in 2021 long term Wanaka resident Lindsay dropped into the Wanaka Community Workshop.
She presented a challenge.
Could we restore a garden seat which her granddad had owned?
At the MensShed we have people like Stu Simpson who like a challenge.
With new woodwork and refurbished steel work the seat, resplendent in classic kiwi red, was recently returned to Lindsay’s garden.
The first panel was lifted on the 29th of November, three weeks and 300 volunteer hours (and a few sausage rolls) later we have some wood stacked up ready to sell.
14th and 15th of January, between 0900 and 1500 we will have the gates open for buying / collecting wood. Pricing will vary with size and quality.
Mons Royale founder and CEO Hamish Acland attended a Bike-vember event where participants built their own bike rack from waste materials. He and his son Ted enjoyed it so much they came back with the Mons Royale Wanaka Headquarters team.
The brief was to lead four teams through a circular design process creating bike racks for the Mons Royale office. Time was limited to two hours.
Key to this event was to design using the materials available (all recycled / diverted waste), without creating more waste. Volunteers Angus Rowley, Jules Adams, Thom Dodds and Ben Acland each looked after a group and used the power tools.
End result was one floor single stand, one wall single stand, two under seat multi bike racks. One of the surprise results was the ‘Stoked Bike Stand’, made using plywood offcuts from Stoked Hot Tubs. This design used materials that the Wanaka Community Workshop had not found a use for. Now the MenShed group is finessing this design to create a repeatable product for commercial sale. Taking waste wood, creating value for the Wanaka Community Workshop so the cycle can continue.
During the shift from Anderson Road to the new Three Parks location Mitre10 Mega there was a massive clean up, many items nuts, bolts, screws, tools were put aside as they were missing items or in broken packaging. The Wanaka Community Workshop was the lucky recipient of large quantities of this.
During the collection of these items, the question was asked, “what are you doing with that huge wood storage structure?” Four months later the call came, did we want to bring our volunteers in to dismantle it and keep the materials. Gwil and Ben don’t say no (often) and so one week of work turned into two of hard slog.
Now we have a massive amount of untreated plywood, Oregon framing timber, and mdf board.
Untreated wood is perfect for making things like Mud Kitchens and other items at Pre-Schools where treated timber is avoided. An example of a busy kid making mud pancakes below will become a product offered for sale to the public soon.
