Community pitches in as new Shed project gets off the ground

20 Sep, 2021

JULIA WADE

Pre-lockdown visitors and passers-by to the Mangawhai Domain would have noticed a brand new building slowly taking shape – a dwelling representing creativity, craftsmanship, camaraderie and community spirit.

Little more than a year since the Domain Society gave a thumbs up to the idea at their 2020 AGM, the new premises for Mangawhai Shed Inc is physically becoming a reality, with members and friends ‘working tirelessly’ in the weeks leading up to Level 4 to literally get the project off the ground, Shed chair and founder Stephen Mackay says.

“The Shed quickly emerged under a flurry of activity from a workforce drawn largely from retired seniors, some are experienced builders but not all,” he says. “Like everyone the volunteer build team had a few weeks off in lockdown but they definitely deserved the break.”

For nearly four years, an increasing number of members have joined the fellowship of the Shed, gathering at Mackay’s home shed every Friday to share their tips and skills, and create individual pieces from post boxes to turned wood bracelets, and even a wooden Christmas tree. The group have also worked collectively on a number of community projects including furniture repair for local charities, erecting sheds for the Village’s community garden, Christmas parade floats as well as constructing pest bait stations and live-cat traps for conservation groups.

Besides the 18 members who willingly stepped up to lay the concrete base and assemble the kitset structure, Mackay says the organisation have enjoyed ‘significant community support and assistance by local businesses to complete the build so quickly’.

“Mangawhai Engineering and Marine came to our aid by bringing in lifting gear to safely assemble the roof, Grant van Dalsum of Quin Buildings also gave his time free of charge to show everyone how to assemble the oversized Lego kit, and other local legends Terry and Zenith Henwood of Cutz Ltd and Cutting Concepts who turned up at short notice to cut the expansion joints.

“Shed members Steen Molving, and John and Roger Taylor are acknowledged for their leadership – Steen for his role in laying the foundation for the project, and John and Roger for making sure that work was carried out as specified.”

Hire Works Mangawhai also gave generously in support of the community project Mackay says: “People just get what a Shed is all about and are happy to join in.”

Unfortunately, the traditional roof shout had to be postponed due to lockdown and will now be celebrated at the Shed’s official opening at their October 1 AGM, which members of the public are welcome to attend.

Funding will also be on the agenda, to finance the interior work such as lining the walls and power connection, ‘tasks which we’ll get on to now we are out of lockdown’ Mackay says.

“However, the Shed now has a building it can call its own and members can’t wait to get back to what a Shed is all about – undertaking projects that benefit the local community, the friendship of likeminded people and cheerful banter over a morning cup of tea.”

“People just get what a Shed is all about and are happy to join in.”

1. The beginning; all hands-on deck, literally. Work on the concrete base started June 18 and finished July 16, although the actual foundation work only took eight days to complete. PHOTOS/ALL SUPPLIED

2. Quin Buildings owner Grant van Dalsum (yellow shirt) gives a free hand to ‘assemble the oversized Lego kit’, which took the team 18 days to near completion before August 25 lockdown kicked in, and ‘stopped play’, Mackay says.

3. Skilled at precision and cutting accuracy; from left Shed fellows Roger Taylor, Chris De Boestert and Selwyn Kingsford.

4. Not just for the blokes; Miguel Hamber with willing Shed volunteer Heather Ferguson.

5. Taking a well-earned breather, from left, Stephen Drummond, Roger Taylor, John Taylor and Shed’s fundraiser Miguel Hamber, who says ‘the joy of any Shed is people’s willingness to share their skills and give their time.’