Author: Ian Maxwell
-
A trap library for Wanaka
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…
-
Sue cuts through
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…
-
MINT builds lives
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…
-
Backyard trapping
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…
-
New workspace
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…
-
Supporting our Food Banks
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…
-
Bug hotels
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…
-
Restoring a gold rush relic
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!
-
Hands to the tools
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…
-
Working with the Garden Club
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…
-
Toys for a great cause
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…
-
Reducing waste by re-use
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.…
-
Monitoring insect populations
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…
-
Paint store for the workshop
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…
-
Lilliput Libraries
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…
-
Aiding our island habitats
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…
-
Gifted kit for the Workshop
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…
-
Upgraded nest platforms for Grebes
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…
-
Bike stands from construction waste
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…
-
Sarah makes a difference
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…
-
Better Brew Ups
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…
-
Fresh hands make light work
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…
-
A great place to get involved
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…
-
Family icon restored to glory
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…