Habitat for Humanity, Dunedin

Mike & Christine marry.

2010-01-01T16:36:00.004+13:00

At probably one of the first weddings in 2010 Mike and Christine took the plunge. The wedding was conducted not long after 9 a.m. at their new home on New Years day. Once again there was hangi kai to follow. (Including a beautiful steam pudding cooked with the hangi) A surprise for Christine was that her Dad had come all the way from Wellington and gave her away. Kay, an earlier Habitat home owner was a bridesmaid and Irene from the family we next partner with was a guest. It was a privilege to be there. A special time for all who know this beaut couple. We wish them all the very best into the future.

Photos: (Bottom to top.)

Christine arrives with a tear in her eye.
Mike and Garry wait with the minister.
Mike and Christine make their vows.
"You may kiss the bride" was not even voiced before these two kissed... and hugged... and kissed.. and cried... and hugged some more. I think they were happy.
Whanau sing in support of a speech made by Christine's father.

The building site becomes a home!

2009-12-21T21:09:00.003+13:00

On Saturday our mission was to complete the house ready for the opening. A VERY motivated crew descended onto the site. The shed was completed and Ken came with his spray gun and painted it at least three times. The post for the back gate was installed.

Alex came and went through the interior of the house doing all sorts of jobs. He quietly worked away fitting wardrobe door handles, easing doors, screwing on door stops, mirrors and any other jobs he saw that needed doing. He was awesome!

Ron the landscaper set to sorting out the planting. His whole family and other volunteers ripped into it, transforming the section from barren earth to a beautiful garden. Grass seed was even planted. (They haven't invented instant growing grass so we could not have that up by Sunday) Ron has made a great impact on this build and he has been enjoyed by those who have worked with him.

Les and Ray the plumbers had put in many hours during the week. Les had to attend a family funeral so Ray was here working away connecting all the fittings. We upset his working day when he discovered that one of us had put a screw through a pipe. The water had to be turned off, and Ray quietly and patiently set about fixing it.

Ken the electrician also had been at work during the week and all the lights and plugs were working as they should.

Chairman Colin was trying his hand at a number of things and put up curtain rails busily. Richard was to finish them off later in the day.

A band of women hit sewing machines and irons and sorted out curtains. Elizabeth was there early in the morning and was still sewing into the night. When she finished sewing she picked up a vacuum cleaner and started cleaning.

People cleaned up the site and at lunch time Richard took a trailer load to the tip. The trailer and a van was filled again by the end of the day.

Richard was water blasting the paths at nearly 10 p.m. (poor neighbours!) The evening meal was some fish and chips, and Ken & Diane called by during the night with chocolate treats.

All in all it was a terrific day's work. The last workers left just after 10 p.m. Richard was back on the job at 8 Sunday morning to do some touch up painting. (Rumour has it that Richard went to the movies after the dedication on Sunday and slept through most of the first half of the film!)

Thank you... thank you ... thank you. If you have hammered one nail, swept up one bit of dust, or helped dig one hole or done anything to help this build, we want to say thank you. Your help is appreciated. We have done so well to finish this big house so quickly. It has been a good build, with a great deal of friendship, joy and yet motivated work on site.

Sunday Dedication

On Sunday we arrived up at the house with the wind blowing and rain threatening. (It seems to be a Dunedin Habitat Dedication day weather habit??) We at first gathered in the lounge but were ushered out again. Mike and a team of mates performed a stunning Maori challenge, with Mike looking awesome. Chairman Colin picked up the leaf offered and led us into the house to the strains of Maori singing. It was so moving. Colin welcomed all and thanked those who had helped. Mike and Christine responded and there was no doubting their real appreciation for the work done. Let it go on record that Christine cried... she who always has an answer was speechless... briefly. :-) They were presented with a key, a framed photo of the family with the governor general, flowers, a Bible and Dave led in a prayer of blessing for both house and family. We then got into the food. People had brought cakes, sandwiches had been bought but my favourite was the hangi food the family provided. It helped to make the event something special. The local paper was there to report and photograph. It was a special time of celebration marking a job well done.

Special thanks must go to Richard who has been building committee convener, liaising with trades people, ensuring materials were ordered and generally guiding the project along. Martin also has played a special part with his advice and guidance.

We are so pleased that before Christmas this building project, this house has now become a home. We do pray God's blessing on the family as they settle in and continue to share the love they have with each other and others. Mike, Christine and the family have worked hard for this home. We say congratulations..... enjoy. We loved working with you.

Photos: Chronologically from bottom to the top.

(a) Mike and his party begin proceedings.

(b) Mike brings his challenge.

(d) Christine receives the Cerebos/Gregs box of goodies and flowers.

(e) Jeff helps Mike dish up the hangi kai.

Thursday night...

2009-12-17T22:25:00.004+13:00

During the week the kitchen units have gone in, the carpet and vinyl have been laid, some plumbing connections made and electrical work completed. On Thursday evening four intrepid building volunteers constructed a beautiful big garden shed. There are some finishing touches still to be done, but it was an efficient and enjoyable night's work. It was Martin's last effort on site, he heads toward Australia tomorrow.

Photos: Chronologically from bottom to top.

(1) The The rafters being measured and cut. Richard has stolen yet another pencil of Dave's!

(2) Richard and Paul adding rafters to the frame.

(3) As Richard says, "Job done!" It is getting dark and Richard and Martin stand with the nearly finished shed.

(4) Ray the plumber was there too finishing off plumbing fittings.

Saturday 12th December

2009-12-12T17:42:00.004+13:00

Building Committee convenor submitted this report about Today's work.

As noted below, we just had enough concrete for the slab and Colin / Allan's pavers. Managed also to sneak a pad and post for the letterbox and also rear access from clothesline area to park.

Good effort today, shed slab down, pavers, letterbox post etc.
Wardrobe shelving in, store shelving in, vanities in, door handles fitted.
Found out what was required for fitting mirrors. All in all a good day.
Home straight now.

Harvey Meldrum is sorted to fit the shower doors and screens.
Carpet Court people are booked for carpet and vinyl.
Grahame Hastie, Kitchen guy has kitchen under control.
Plumbing inspectors are confident.
Ken Foote has electrics well in hand.
Paths and paved area will need washed down and hard broom to clean up.
Some planting next saturday. If anyone has some native plants, feel free to bring them along.
Any questions or panic attacks pending, please contact me.
Regards

Richard

Joking and tongue in cheek aside, we plan to have a bit of a session on Thursday night, hopefully erect a shed and curtain tracks if required.

-------------------

It was a good day in spite of having to think up creative ways to use concrete. As well as work on Ashmore Street top soil was spread at Shona's house.

Very well done everyone!

Photos:

(1) Hammerhead Shark design now embedded in the paving stone by the letterbox.

(2) Lunch time laughter

(3) Who said Richard doesn't work ... here he is seen in this rare photograph.

(4) Elizabeth working hard, she doesn't only make amazing shortbread.

(5) Paul getting stuck into a wardrobe.

Very Top photo: Shona says, "Top soil at last!"

The House Dedication looms... woo hoo!

2009-12-10T20:37:00.005+13:00

The house is to be officially opened and dedicated on:-

Sunday 20th December

2p.m.

It will be a VERY special time.

There has been a group of people nearly every Saturday on site who have become friends. It will be special for them.
There will be special Maori aspects to our time together which will be very moving to experience.
Mike, Christine and family have worked exceptionally hard for this day and it will be good to see them achieve their goal.
Habitat openings are special events even if you have been involved for just one day or in another part of Habitat work.

If you can, be there. If you can't maybe you would like to send a greeting. (You could do so by leaving a comment on the blog.)

The painters have finished, the joinery is on site, curtains are purchased... we are on the very last straight of the journey. We start the finishing touches on the inside of the house on Saturday. We had a great day last Saturday... you have only two Saturdays left to enjoy the atmosphere of the working bee.

See you there.

Photo: Remember the start... it's a different place now... soon to be a home!

Saturday 5th December

2009-12-06T20:34:00.003+13:00

On Saturday we had the best weather of the whole build. Our mission was to put the posts and rails for the side fence in and do the boxing for the shed floor. We had a great day with incredible team work. There were a mob mixing concrete, others digging holes and others setting the posts in place. Ron the landscaper was there with his machinery and an auger to dig our holes for us. Noel and Allan got stuck into the shed floor.

It was great to see such commitment to the task with people filling in where ever they were needed. Around 20 posts went in, then the rails were attached. In spite of many people working and the lines getting touched, the posts looked very straight at the end of the day.

Dave "Rogo" is an American student who is headed home for Christmas. Saturday was his last day on the job. Dave has been on the job nearly every Saturday. He has ridden his bike up the hill to Halfway Bush. He has quietly worked away, learning heaps and being a great workmate. At lunch time it was very moving when Mike made an appropriate speech and presented Dave with a painted stone. The designs on the stone spoke of Dave's personality, his work and his contribution to the house and the family. There was also a card to go with the stone. We with Mike and family say a big "thank you" to Dave for his work, for his company and companionship on the build. He promises to be on our next build.

We had a great day with a great "feel" to it. Ron the landscaper is an awesome guy who gave us heaps. Richard and Ron did a great job in leading us. The neighbour invited us to take some of his beer, so a few of us finished the day with a quiet one sitting in the lounge.

Photos: From the bottom to the top.

(a) The early posts going in with the team work starting.

(b) Dave gets a warm hug from Christine as the presentation is made.

(e) Dave celebrates something right near the end of the job with only one rail to go.

Saturday 28th November report..

2009-11-30T14:21:00.003+13:00

Our generous landscaper arrived with his expertise and machinery and laid out the gardens. People wheeled soil and gravel all around the section. The rotary hoe got a good workout, but nearly towed Jeff next door. Clothes line poles were established, gates hung and the inside of the house cleaned again. It was good to see Dave back with us after his tramping adventures and Greg and Nadine and the dogs. Elizabeth brought her much appreciated short bread, and chairman Colin had trouble with his gearbox after towing the rotary hoe trailer. We enjoyed yet another day on site. When we finish the house we will miss our Saturday friends! ... but our target date is the house dedication on December 20th! We will make it.... hopefully the painters will attack it this week.... fingers crossed.

Photos:

(1) Dave praying... "Lord stop these people wheeling wheelbarrows past me!" ... no he's really building the back door step.

(2) Allan and young Dave "hanging about" - installing the clothesline pole.

(3) Council staff leaning on their tools during working time! --- no sorry... chairman Colin and Allan deep in discussion about ... I'm sure it was work related! They are hiding behind the digger which did so much work during the day.

(4) Jeff dealing to invading plant life under the watchful eyes of foreman Christine.

Prepaint clean up and fences...

2009-11-22T17:42:00.004+13:00

On Saturday 12 people joined in for a good day. The inside of the house was cleaned out ready for the painters to make a start. The boxing was removed from the great paths and two fences were erected ready to receive Richard's well made gates. Even though the weather turned cooler and wet, the tough crew kept going and completed the tasks. Well done. We have set the opening date as 20th December... we will do it!

The most intelligent event of the day? We were just about to pour concrete for the last post on the front fence. The posts and rails were all set up. Someone asked the question, "What about the trailer?" We had the trailer on the wrong side of the fence. Once the fence was built we would never have got it out onto the road.

Photos:

Mike and Christine with Martin at the end of the day.

Noel and Mike dig fence post holes... Funny way of measuring the depth Noel!

Mike, Jane and Christine (with the nail gun) put on the palings.

The trailer behind the fence??? Oh well, you can't be expected to work and think too.

The end is nigh!

2009-11-20T12:05:00.003+13:00

There are discussions underway to have the dedication/opening of the house just before Christmas. There is a target in site. Tomorrow there will be cleaning up getting ready for painting. There will also be fences and gates to do.

The paths are done and shower linings are in. Watch out! The end is nigh.

Saturday 14th

2009-11-16T13:12:00.003+13:00

A whole lot of sanding and finishing off was done inside. The boxing was done for paths and patio.

Week day work.

2009-11-12T20:29:00.002+13:00

There has been progress on the house during the week. The drains have gone in, the main wires to the house have been installed and the section has been roughly shaped. Mike has been working away on the gib stopping and we hope it will be ready for painting in around a week.

Generous Builders.

Richard rang around some of his builder mates and with Dave, Martin and Richard there was a heap of skirting and gib went on on Thursday night. There is still the skirting in the main room to do and a couple of little bits of Gib.

On Saturday...

We will finish off what needs to be done inside and also box up the outside patio and paths.

If the weather is doubtful ring 4774848 and see if there is a cancellation on the answer phone.

Its looking good.

All the Gib up!

2009-11-08T19:33:00.003+13:00

On Saturday we finished putting all the gib on the walls and Mike was well underway with the stopping. We cut the hedge, two loads of rubbish and a big load of pallets were taken away. Christine fixed a hole in the fence, the temporary drain was opened up and water to the kitchen container disconnected so that the container could be moved. Some skirting board was installed. Derek worked on the bathroom walls to straighten them up to fit the bath, and Ray removed concrete for the bath waste.

It felt like we have turned the corner toward the home straight. The new Dunedin Habitat Chairman, Colin McLeod, came to make sure we were all working. During this week ditches for the drains will be dug, some earth moving will happen and Mike is taking a day off to do gib-stopping.

Thanks to all who were there this week. There is a determined group who want to make sure the house is well occupied by Christmas. We will do it!

Photos:

Derek does the ceiling in a bathroom.
Excess gib-board gets loaded to go away... I knew 182 sheets were too many!
Colin McLeod and Christine wreck an old fence.
The pallets get taken back on Paul's very handy truck.

Near the end of the gibbing...

2009-11-03T20:42:00.003+13:00

Saturday saw a good group of people doing the remaining bits of gibbing. Walls were covered in the laundry area, a couple of bathrooms and nearly all the ceilings were completed. It has been quite a big job to get all the gib done, but we should finish this week. What we had done was passed by the building inspectors during the week. A visit to the house on Monday showed that Mike had been at work on the Gib Stopping. We are getting there! It is starting to feel like a long process, but we have done so well. We'll keep up the good work.

A nice day all around...

2009-10-24T16:38:00.003+13:00

There were not as many on site today with it being Labour Weekend, but those who were had a good day. We finished gibbing hall walls and wardrobe ceilings and a bedroom ceiling. Nearly all the walls in the main living area were completed. Some extra top up painting was done outside and a "person hole" framed out. There was a nice "feel" to the day with some new people among the faithful "old hands". We even had Richard there.

Photos:

(1) Christine is now a non-smoker and Don returned from lunch with a bunch of flowers to congratulate her.

(2) The house without scaffold looks quite neat. Notice our picnic lunch setting.

(3) Don, Derek (A new builder bloke!) and Mike making like they are working.

(4) The ladies sort out some painting blues.

(5) Noel came all the way from America to play with Gib ... or "Drywall" as he calls it.

AGM Update and Labour weekend.

2009-10-23T17:38:00.004+13:00

Habitat for Humanity Dunedin had its Annual General Meeting last night. There were some changes in personnel. Jock Watson a founding Director has come back on as a director. Paul McManus and David Brown have come off the Directors role. Paul Clements finished his stint as chairman of Habitat and Colin McLeod was elected to the position. Paul remains to give service as a director and we thank him for his time leading us. There was a report about the Christmas Carol play being prepared to start on November 25th. School Groups have booked to go. Proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity Dunedin. Watch this space for more details. They are looking for a large artificial Christmas tree to use as part of the props for the play.

For those still around at Labour weekend, interested and wanting something to do, we are still gibbing up at the house at Ashmore Street. From 9 a.m. till whenever. See you there.

Dave

Gib, Gib and more Gib!

2009-10-18T20:28:00.003+13:00

At the beginning of the day there were not great crowds in, but the team soon built up in number and people were all over the house screwing up Gib. Walls in bedrooms and halls were almost completed. Quite a few of the ceilings were done and people were busy in wardrobes covering the walls. We ran out of screws in late in the afternoon and decided to call it quits.

The scaffold was down revealing a surprisingly neat looking finish to the weather board. Christine was running around taking a fresh look at her house, but also touching up the paint job. Mike started the Gib stopping. Carolyn Richardson provided a great lunch for us which we enjoyed in the lounge/dinning room of the house. Once again no photos. (unless Christine emails me her ones) I reckon by this time next weekend we will have fixed all the Gib on the walls.

Gibbing Fun...

2009-10-10T17:15:00.003+13:00

We made great progress today didn't we? Everyone worked hard, almost everyone was learning and we ended up with a good deal well done. We even started to put up the ceiling in one room. The three new ladies worked so well on their room and it looks good. ... they earned their title, "The Gibbing Queens." We appreciated the food from Elva and Daisy and there was a good spirit all round. Thank you everyone! We were so busy no photos got taken... sorry.

See you all again next week.

More Gib this Saturday...

2009-10-08T10:04:00.004+13:00

I have studied the "GIB Site Guide" (102 pages of it!) from cover to cover. (One mysteriously arrived in the mail??? I found out that Building Committee convener Richard arranged for it.) We will rip into more GIB fixing this Saturday.

The plan... do all the brace line bits... work through the bedrooms one by one... do the living area then tackle bathrooms.

Then probably next Saturday tackle ceilings.

Sounds easy!

Cya there.

P.S. Did you know that at the ULearn Conference in Christchurch (1700 computer geek-education type people there) they are collecting money for the Habitat for Humanity relief work in Samoa. The organisers came to our Jane (she works for them) with questions about Habitat and she arranged for them to be answered. By Wednesday night they had raised $800 with two days to go. The ripples of our work go wider than we often think.

October 3rd Workday report

2009-10-04T19:58:00.003+13:00

A cold morning saw 182 sheets of Gib board delivered on site. With bad weather threatening our job was to get all 182 sheets in doors and stacked in logical piles. This we did before morning tea time. There was a continuous flow of people backwards and forwards carrying one sheet at a time, with Martin directing traffic. We did it and we did it well!

Then some finished some more paint outside, others finished the scribers while all the rest began to learn how to install the wall board. We now have 175 sheets yet to go on the walls. A good day, but much harder to see the progress.

Next week we will knock a big hole in getting the internal walls covered. Thanks to all who turned up on this cooler spring day.

Photos:

No they are not praying... just making sure it is done right! Who is looking in the window?
The old and the young consult on the next tasks.
Dave worked in the cold outside finishing the scribers.
The last sheet of Gib disappears inside. Morning tea time now!

Internal wall linings to start on Saturday!

2009-10-01T12:49:00.003+13:00

We had a building inspector look over what we have done. Apart from a couple of braces in appropriate places we are all ready for the next stage. All the "Gib" is to arrive on Saturday so we should be able to make a start on that. We will continue to hang doors, finish off scribers, but by the end of Saturday we should have some ceilings and walls looking like ceilings and walls. We are going well! Join us for another good day on Saturday!

Another great Saturday...

2009-09-27T20:40:00.004+13:00

The day started out looking murky, cold and wet... but it turned out OK. Once again we had a team of over 30 people through the site.

We ...

Finished the weatherboard
Fixed up corners and beading
Filled holes
Prepared scribers and installed some
Plumbers did work on the showers
Painted the house!
Tidied the site
Hung more doors
Finished pink batts
Bolted down internal frames

Well done again team... the house is looking good! We hope to get inspections done this week.. and next week just maybe we start on Gibbing the internal walls.

Photos: Top to bottom

Painting the house begins in earnest.
Ray one of our plumbers mixing plaster for the shower base.
Les the other trusty plumber, looking like he knows what he is doing. (Plumbers can do anything!)
From the Saturday before, two Habitat directors working hard during lunch time consulting about the tasks ahead!

Work day 26th September... plans for the day.

2009-09-25T14:37:00.002+12:00

Here is a list of jobs for the day tomorrow...

We will finish the pink batts (if you worked on them last week you are excused this week)
We will finish the weatherboard and trimmings.
We will put no-more-gaps in any gaps.
We will begin painting the outside of the house.
We will do the scribers
We will finish hanging the internal doors.
We will put sealer on the internal doors.

We hope the weather will improve so that we can do these things. If the weather looks doubtful ring 4774848 to check if it is on.

The worst job over... nearly.

2009-09-20T17:50:00.003+12:00

Saturday saw a great mob of enthusiastic volunteers making a big dent in the list of jobs on the house.

The weather board is all but completed.
There's primer coat on the eaves.
More doors were hung.
The pink batts are nearly all in.

We had new volunteers along whose introduction to the Habitat site was to do the worst job on the house... pink batts! If you are one of those I promise not to give you that job next week. We ran out of batts in the afternoon but there's not much to go. (My eyes have just now stopped feeling like they are full of sand!)

A neighbour from across the road introduced herself and her daughters to us and brought us hot muffins for afternoon tea.

Another good day of work..... well done team!

Sad News

2009-09-14T11:59:00.003+12:00

It is with sadness that we report the death of Dan Maguire. Dan has been a volunteer on house number 11, 12 and the current house at Ashmore Street. He was quiet and unassuming and had a difficult burden to carry in life. He told me once that coming to Habitat helped him, and the company on the Habitat site was good for him. With love, sadness and respect we remember him.

Photo: Dan is the man in the centre of the picture with glasses. This is at the dedication of Shona's house.

Another happy day in paradise.

2009-09-12T18:48:00.003+12:00

Well we did not quite finish the weather boards. We were into all the fiddly bits and that slowed us down. What we did looked neat. Les and Ray the plumbers got all their pipes in and tested. Jane and Dave Rogo started hanging the doors.

It was another good day with some hard workers doing their thing. Thank you to all who showed up and to all who brought food along. We hope Martin gets well by next Saturday. Maybe he will come and tell us all the things we did wrong? Just blame Dave.

September 12th day...

2009-09-11T18:09:00.001+12:00

Having been inspired by the Governor General's visit we will be wanting to rip into work tomorrow. We will complete the weatherboard. We will hang internal doors. We will install a meter box. We will do the batten around the suffiet. We may even look at scribers. Enough to keep us busy. As usual check the phone message on 4774848 if the weather is doubtful. We are going so well, and enjoying the journey. :-) See ya there!

Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand and Lady Susan visit with Mike and Christine

2009-09-10T21:28:00.000+12:00

Today the patron of Habitat for Humanity in New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand and his wife, Lady Susan, visited Mike and Christine's home.

Saturday 5th September.

2009-09-09T15:44:00.002+12:00

We had somewhere between 32 and 40 volunteers turn up on Saturday. We made a big inroad into getting all the weatherboard done on the house. The women from the Waverly Church provided heaps of delicious food for morningtea, and as always food came from Jean, Christine and the whanau. It was a good day even though Martin was worn out trying to keep an eye on us all.

Well done to all the volunteers. We are ready for the Vice-royal visit tomorrow. After the official part we are having a bit of a feed to celebrate the roof going on and the exciting progress so far. All volunteers welcome. The official party will arrive at around 3:30 p.m.

Work day Saturday 5th September

2009-09-04T11:26:00.001+12:00

Tomorrow we will rocket ahead with the weatherboard. We can only go to the top of the windows. We will also be tidying up the site for the Governor General's visit on Thursday afternoon. He will be coming up to the site at around 3:30p.m. that day. The sun is shining today and the forecast is good so we look forward to basking in the sun as we work tomorrow.

Come anytime after 9 a.m. We will have another fun day. It should be as easy as falling off a log tomorrow, the nails will be in place.

See you there.

A start made on the weatherboard

2009-08-31T18:11:00.004+12:00

Around 20 people fronted up on Saturday to begin on the weatherboard. After the day one of the volunteers commented that "weather board is more complicated than you think isn't it?" I think getting started is the most difficult part, and we made a good start on Saturday. (Dave and Martin have been up today (Monday) and arranged things so that it will be easier next Saturday. ) Thanks to all who fronted. We had some great food and some new faces. Lily was one of those new faces and she said, "I'll be back! I'm hooked!" Great stuff.

Photos:

#1. Some people get dressed up for Habitat! (Actually one inconsiderate couple wanted Dave to marry them on his Habitat day.... they need to sort their priorities!)

#2. Double trouble. Christine and "she's da man" who does "man's stuff"!

#3. Weatherboard started on one side.

#4. How many people does it take to put the first length of weatherboard on?

Answer: 5 women and 3 men! Very efficient we are.

#5. Early morning preparations.

Weatherboard time.

2009-08-28T09:22:00.003+12:00

During the week a couple of builders installed the windows. The house will receive a building inspection today (Friday) so that tomorrow we should be able to begin on the eaves and weatherboard. The work day begins at 9 a.m..... come and go when you can or need to. Lunch is provided and you can be guaranteed some great company during the day. We have a leak in a pipe we need to fix .... :-(

As usual if it is cancelled due to weather you can find out by phoning 4774848 and a message will be left on that.

Photo: Doing fiddly bits of weatherboard on the last Habitat house.

Like..... WOW!

2009-08-22T19:48:00.005+12:00

A total of thirty (maybe more.. they kept arriving) people and two dogs came through the Habitat house on Saturday. We got the roof on; we finished the ceiling battens; we got the braces off and the building wrap on.

The wind made things a bit exciting. One sheet of iron got loose at one stage, but Martin was our "living paper weight" handing us the sheets. Tony the roofer was a gift from God, he was sooo good at directing us and for the second side we had a great system going.

A guy from a landscape firm called in to see what landscaping had to be done and ended up nailing battens. He said, "I only called in to see what's happening???"

Well done team. We are running hot!

Photos run from the bottom to the top in a time line during the day.

By the way... Mike's rugby team LOST!

Wow... it's all go tomorrow!

2009-08-21T17:18:00.002+12:00

Richard, Martin and Dave went up to the site at lunch time today and finished a few jobs so that the building inspectors could clear it for further work. They came and with a couple of adjustments it passed inspection! The facia and spouting have been installed during the week, the weatherboard, the roofing iron and "stuff" have all been delivered.

Tomorrow, Saturday 22nd August we will finish the battens, put the roof on and wrap the house up. Lots of exciting work to do for lots of people. Come and enjoy the fun atmosphere. We really are enjoying working with this family.

Lots of little stuff...

2009-08-16T19:59:00.005+12:00

Saturday 15th was not as dramatic as the Saturday before. We were doing things like strapping the trusses on, nailing up battens and putting screws in the purlins. A number of the usuals were not there all day but we worked till 5. Richard made a very fine "boss" sorting jobs out for us all, but leaving a questionable character in charge for the afternoon.

It was a good day with new volunteers joining us once again. It is always great to see new faces and get to know more people.

Again well done team. It did not look as if we had made much progress, but lots of little jobs were completed. As you can see, there were a lot of smiles too.... or were they grimaces???

Saturday 15th Work day

2009-08-13T13:49:00.001+12:00

After a great day last Saturday we look forward to another good day this week. The trusses need to be strapped down, screws put in the purlins, facia framing explored. All welcome to come and enjoy this part of the build. The frame work is often a great place to learn to swing a hammer and to work as a team. There is always a lot of humour, plenty to eat and good company. AND the weather is getting warmer!

Just a thought...

2009-08-11T10:35:00.002+12:00

I read this recently;

"Poverty is not the absence of money.
It is the absence of dignity." - Mvume Dandala

It struck me that even those of us who try to assist the poor can sometimes inadvertently take away their dignity by the way we go about it. This was true for me as a teenager when an agency tried to help our family. I hope we at Habitat don't do that.

What a day! What a team!

2009-08-08T22:22:00.003+12:00

8th August was an awesome day at the Habitat site. Ceiling battens were completed, seventeen trusses were put in place and the roof frame work nailed in place. Also some plumbing was done. We all went home with sore nailing arms, and sore muscles. Alex, who has building/cabinet making experience joined the team and his input was invaluable. Again, for those not in Dunedin and suspicious about Dunedin weather, it was a great sunny day. We got too warm.

Mike's rugby boys lost their game. :-(

Thanks heaps team!

The last photo is to prove Christine does some work.

Work for Saturday 8th August

2009-08-07T17:56:00.002+12:00

The weather forecast says it is going to be a nice day. Last Saturday we got 11 trusses up. This Saturday we plan to get the remaining 17 up, battens in place and roof purlins on. We hope we will have scaffold to make the job easier, but it will be hard hat territory. It is really fun working on the framwork and roof. Come and enjoy this time.

It has been great to see so many there and to have a lot of laughter going on. Tomorrow will be no different.

As always phone Dave's office on 4774848 for updates if the weather is doubtful.

1st of August ... a great day

2009-08-01T16:59:00.005+12:00

We had a good day on site today. 23 people passed through the site during the day. We had lunch supplied by the Business and Professional Women's group.... excellent stuff. Some ceiling battens were done, and eleven trusses were put in place. Let it be known that Dave (senior... VERY senior) measured accurately and young Dave and Kyle made the mistake! In spite of receiving heaps of cheek from a certain woman student lawyer Dave managed to keep a level head and between us all we put the trusses up and they actually look straight. (thanks largely to the aforementioned Kyle and young Dave)

Oh and by the way.... Mike's team won their rugby. Last week though they were soundly beaten.

If you were there today... well done team... a great start to August! Thanks for making it another good Habitat day!

Another good day...

2009-07-19T20:58:00.003+12:00

We had over 20 people at the Habitat site on Saturday. We enjoyed meeting more of Mike and Christine's whanua and friends. We had a good day bolting down the frames to the concrete floor, putting strapping on and adjusting the frames. We now have a flush toilet with a hand basin on site and running water and an operating hot water heater in the kitchen container. We had Les Bell and Ray, two plumbers on site with us and Caleb came back to assist. Well done team, thanks for coming out on such a frosty morning.

Photos.

Top. (1) Flax "flower" made by one of the volunteers on site.

(2) Dave marking the trusses. (NOT sleeping)

(3) Martin showing Mike how to put the strapping on.

(4) One of the straps neatly done.

18th July...

2009-07-17T22:57:00.002+12:00

Hi everyone. We are working on Saturday 18th July. We will be straightening the frames and sorting them out.

Come when you can, leave when you must. It's fun.

It is nearly 11p.m. Friday night and the roads are already frosty. Be careful.

Just read this....

2009-07-15T09:58:00.002+12:00

In the ECPAT newsletter (End Child Ponography and Trafficking) I read this Indian proverb that is very much in line with Jesus' thinking.

"I dreamt and saw the world was joy,

I awoke and saw the world was service,

I acted and saw that
service was joy."

Great stuff that rings true with me at those times when I do seek to serve.

The Frames are up! It looks more like a house!

2009-07-13T21:24:00.003+12:00

On Saturday about 14 people turned up during the day. Some were there all day, others came and went at different times. Caleb, a very patient carpenter led our work day, and helped us put the frames up. It was exciting, after weeks of just getting ready for a build, now we were actually building and there was a house frame up. We can see where the bedrooms are, the lounge and kitchen. There was a lot of laughter and banter as the frames were moved into place. WE ARE DEFINITELY BUILDING NOW! You will see the excitement as a house takes shape.

Our thanks to all who came on Saturday! Every bit of work helps to build the house. Your presence and interest encourages others. Your laughter and sharing helps make the day bright. A special thanks to Caleb, who with Martin led us so well.

Photos:

Top to bottom.

1. The first nail joining the frames together. (Martin would not let David do it!)

2. Moving an early frame. Caleb our expert is in the blue top. He was so good and so patient with us.

3. Three of the girls on site on Saturday. They worked like Trojans.

4. The finished frames at the end of the day.

Saturday 11th...the frames will stand up!

2009-07-10T18:12:00.001+12:00

Hi all you amazing Habitat Helpers

YES!!!!!! The floor is down and the frames have arrived so tomorrow, Saturday 11^th it will be all go.

126 Ashmore Street Halfway Bush. We start at 9am. Come when you can, leave when you are must. Come and enjoy the atmospher, even if it is only part of the day.

From now on we will have work every Saturday... unless of course it snows, rains excessively or it is too dangerous. Thanks for your patience to this point but now the real work can begin.

If the weather is doubtful phone Dave's work phone; 4774848 and information will be left on there.

See you there.

Photos of progress...

2009-07-06T20:38:00.003+12:00

Here are some photos of what builders and plumbers have been doing up at Ashmore Street to get ready to pour the floor slab in the next day or so. Soon the frames will go up.

Some progress...but...

2009-06-28T19:34:00.003+12:00

A few of us were on site for the morning on Saturday. We set up the power to the kitchen container, put the zips in place, counted up the tools and connected a waste pipe to the sinks.

As you can see by the photos progress has been made toward completing the concrete floor pad. We are told that the floor concrete will be just over a week away. Hopefully the weather this week will be good and enable further progress and two inspections to be made.

Work for 27th.

2009-06-26T11:11:00.002+12:00

Here is an emailed report about progress at the Habitat site this week;

"Blockwork is now completed.
Reinforcing to blocks placed.
Inspection booked with DCC. Bookings are 3 - 4 days out at present.
Maybe Friday for inspection unless they have a booking cancellation to allow for an earlier time.
Once blocks and reinforcing is inspected, blocks can be filled, foundations backfilled and sub floor drainage placed.
Brent Allen will then prepare vapour barrier, insulation, mesh reinforcing and arrange for slab to be poured.
At this stage we hope to be ready for Saturday week for the frames to be placed."

So there is progress being made, but once again no work for volunteers to do on the new house this Saturday.

Some of us are going up there to set up the kitchen in the container, link up power, wastes and water to the toilet and container. If you are looking for something to do, feel free to come and assist. It is all preparation work for the start of our "real" working days when we get into building the house.... hopefully next weekend!

No work day Saturday...

2009-06-19T12:11:00.002+12:00

Because of the snow the block layer etc. have not done the work expected up at the Habitat site. Until that is done we cannot make progress so we will have a rest day tomorrow. We are hopeful that NEXT week we will be able to really go for it.... maybe have the frames ready to go up... then it is all on.

Photo: Snow at last years Habitat house on Tuesday morning.

Warm day and warm company

2009-06-14T21:56:00.004+12:00

All told there were 15 people who worked up at the Habitat site on Saturday. It was a very nice winters day and some great preparation work was completed. We resurrected Dave's throne room. Now if it blows down the next door neighbours fence will have to come with it! David (Rogo) and Kyle (It means "Dark and Handsome".) constructed a fancy out door wash tub and bench. A temporary drain ditch was dug, pipes put in place and the container was cleaned up, rubbish taken away and equipment sorted. Some of us also went across to Shona's place and concreted two gate posts in place. A great day's effort alongside Mike and Christine and some of the girls. It was good to get to know each other better. And one other thing, the rugby team Mike coaches won their game... better than the All Blacks!

Photos:

Top: David and Kyle fill in the drain.

Second: The resurrected toilet with attached tub and bench.

Third: Mike and two daughters work on a fence.

Fourth: The sorted container... "Never been that tidy!" Some one said.

Dave's throne room blew over!

2009-06-12T14:07:00.002+12:00

Weekend weather lately has been frustrating! Last Saturday was a no-go day up at the Ashmore Street site, wet, windy and cold. The footings have been prepared but because of sickness and the weather the block layer hasn't been. Ken Foote has been arranging for the power to go on. ...But the wind blew the toilet over even though it was staked to the ground!!

Tomorrow we want to resurrect the toilet! (Well we need it!) We will continue with sorting out the container and sorting out the tools and equipment stored there. Some of us will make an attempt to go to Shona's house and do a fence there.

As always ring 4774848 to check the answer phone to see if it is on.

See you there. I am talking to an Anglican Men's breakfast so will be a tad late, but hopefully with some volunteers.

We did it... we started!

2009-05-30T17:00:00.003+12:00

In spite of predictions the sky was blue and the sun was shining today. Nine volunteers turned up on site. We did very well. Gravel was spread around the main traffic areas. Protective fencing was put up. There was some sorting out and tidying of the containers. Dave's throne room (site toilet) was erected. The profiles were done and it is all ready for excavation work for the foundations. The only black spot was that Elizabeth got hit on the head by a falling toilet wall! (Dave's fault) It is just great to make a start! Well done team, in spite of the cooling wind you worked hard.

Photos:

Top: The completed profiles and marking out.

2nd: Daniel, Martin, Richard and the new David working on profiles.

3rd. The two Davids making sure the toilet is on a solid foundation. Elizabeth looks on with some doubts.

4th. Findlay and Barbara erect a protective fence on site.

Oh no! the rain is falling.... but we'll try again....

2009-05-29T13:53:00.003+12:00

It is Friday afternoon and the rain has started falling again here in Dunedin. "It looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain." Some of us are keen to go up to the Habitat site in Ashmore Street tomorrow (Saturday 30th May) and try to sort containers, erect toilet and do the profiles. We will be there at 9 a.m. If the rain is bad we will have to cancel again. We really are hoping it will stop long enough for us to do what we want to do. If you want to know if it is cancelled phone 4774848 and listen to the message. If there is no cancellation it will still be on.

Anybody is welcome to join us. We really WANT to make progress!

Water and mud...no work!

2009-05-23T10:48:00.003+12:00

The digger has cleared the building area. A pile of gravel is there ready to be spread. The tool and kitchen containers are in place. The surveyors have marked the boundaries. We are ready to start our build.... but there is water, mud and more rain still coming down everywhere. There were some keen volunteers wanting to work anyway, but the consensus was that it was too wet, cold and muddy. Apart from picking up and delivering some chairs to the container we all went back to our warm dry homes. Some of us will work Queens Birthday weekend to make up for lost time.

Working day 23rd May.

2009-05-22T18:03:00.000+12:00

On Saturday 23rd of may, if it is fine, we will be doing some preperation work for out build. The two containers have been moved on site. We have to erect the toilet shed (throne room) and clean out and list off what is in the containers. We need to check what tools we have and what building materials. We also need to spread some gravel around the site.

If it is fine we will start at 9 and go through to around 4 p.m. Come when you can go when you must.

If the weather is doubtful you can phone 4774848 and check the answer phone.

What's Happening?

2009-05-15T11:07:00.005+12:00

We are starting to build a house with Christine and Mike and their big family. The section is purchased, the plans have been finalised and consent has been granted. Tomorrow, 16th May we have a ground breaking ceremony at 2:30p.m. at the Ashmore Street section.

Our first working day will be Saturday 23rd May at 9 a.m. At some stage some of us will go over to Shona's house to do a fence there.

We will have a rest over Queens Birthday Weekend and then every Saturday after that there will be a working day. Ring the Habitat office for any enquiries (4773507) We will have updates, progress photos and news of work to be done on this blog.

Steps to keeping warm on Saturdays during winter. :-)

Work hard at the Habitat House.
Enjoy warm company at the Habitat house.
Get warm fuzzies as you complete jobs at the Habitat house.
Get the ultimate warm fuzzy when Christine, Mike and the family move in.

Exciting progress!

2009-04-28T11:45:00.002+12:00

Just an update. The section at 126 Ashmore Street has finally been purchased and now the plans and consent forms for the Dunedin City Council have been lodged. We are getting close to starting the building process. The building committee meets next week to make work out practical details of the build.

We are to have a Ground Breaking Dedication ceremony with the family at the section on Saturday 16th May at 2:30pm. There will be a short ceremony and an afternoon tea to follow.

Are you sharpening up your tools, washing your overalls and sorting out your tape measure? We will be building soon!

Change of plans....

2009-03-27T14:50:00.003+13:00

Habitat Dunedin has had a change of plans for this year. We were going to build in the car park of the Mitre Ten Mega store but that has changed.

We have selected a family.
The family we have selected have ten children and so it became impractical to build a house big enough and then relocate it. We have negotiated with our friends at Mitre Ten and we will be doing something with them at a later date. They continue to be a very supportive suppliers for our venture.

We will be building as soon as the section is finalised.
We have been in negotiations to purchase a section for this house. It has been agreed to but needs to be signed off by people "further up the food chain." We have plans drawn up and await the final agreement so that they can be lodged for consent. So WATCH THIS SPACE!

We will be looking for volunteers of all sorts, individuals, groups, male and female to see if we can get this built ASAP for this family who are squeezed into a smallish house at the moment. If you are like me you will be impatient for a new job to start.

Dave Brown

Merry Christmas & a happy New Year.

2008-12-16T22:05:00.002+13:00

We want to say to all those who have helped Habitat for Humanity Dunedin in its journey through 2008, "Thank you for being part of our journey!" We have built another house; got to enjoy and know another family; employed an office manager and have been tidying up a lot of paper work. If you had a part in that, thank you. We hope that you have a great Christmas and a good start to the new year.

Plans for next year are unfolding. In the next week or so we expect to know what family we will be partnering with next year. We will be meeting regularly with the Mitre Ten Mega Store people as we work toward starting to build the house in their car park. We are planning a start in mid-march. We will have a public meeting to outline plans and hopefully recruit volunteers to make it all happen. This will be late February or early March. Be ready!

Thanks for 2008! Look forward to another significant year in 2009!

If you are interested in becoming a involved let's know. I have been volunteering in Habitat since 1995 and still find it an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Dave B.

Working Bee

2008-11-20T15:07:00.002+13:00

We are to have a working bee this Saturday up at 28 Turnbull Street to finish off some jobs so that we can acheive the final sign off. All welcome. Saturday 22nd November at 9 a.m. It will be nice to catch up. :-) We have our Annual General Meeting tonight. That's why I added the cartoon.

Exciting project for 2009

2008-10-03T13:38:00.003+13:00

Habitat for Humanity Dunedin is looking forward to 2009. Plans are under way to build a house in the car park of the Mitre Ten Mega store on Andersons Bay Road. The Mega store has been a great friend to Habitat in Dunedin over the years having given us a really good discount on materials. They have also assisted us with a variety of projects, providing advertising and even tee shirts for the building teams for a couple of builds. We are working toward having a special build starting in February, building a house in their car park, involving some of their personnel and using the opportunity to lift our profile in the city. "Watch this space" as plans unfold and decisions are made.

A day without rain!

2008-08-03T20:51:00.003+12:00

We seemed to have had rain at some time during every working bee over the last month or so. Shona said it had rained every day since she moved into the house... but Saturday was fine! A small working bee loaded Dave's van to the hilt (rubbish on the front passenger seat!) with our site rubbish from the walkway. The van with flat looking tires and springs took it to the tip. The letter box that had developed the droops, was strengthened with a bracket, and the previous house's letterbox was reinforced and also supplied with a bracket. Then all Habitat equipment from the basement was cleared to the container, the van again groaning up the hill with equipment in it and on it's roof. We finished at around 1p.m., deciding that starting to mix concrete was not on. Next Saturday we will continue the clean up and final jobs.

WELL DONE...Thanks from Dave

2008-07-23T10:45:00.002+12:00

Thank you to all who have worked so hard to make the dedication date. People have gone the extra mile to help make it happen. These efforts are apprectiated. We hope you enjoyed the sense of accomplishment and the company.

We made it!

2008-07-22T21:21:00.006+12:00

Saturday 19th of July was our 'D' day. We had until 3pm to have the house finished for dedication. A team of dedicated volunteers began the day at 8:30am and worked to the deadline. We had a list of over 20 jobs posted up on the window which we worked through and crossed off. By 2:45 we were still unloading tools at the container. Dave had to be back at the house to run the dedication ceremony at 3:00pm and was still in clothes covered in mud!

We made it! The house looked great. Paul, our electrician kept working all the way through the dedication and by 5pm the electricity was working and the house was ready to be lived in.

We had a good turn out to the dedication. The boys from Malcam Trust came to see the finished product and show off their hard work to their proud parents. Volunteers from throughout the build were on hand and friends of the family came to celebrate.

Shona even had a car load full of gear to move into the house that night! The following day a few volunteers helped Shona move into her new home. It was a real privilege to watch the children unpack their bedrooms and make the rooms their own.

Well done Dunedin, that's another Habitat House finished (well almost :) ).

Time for the dedication

2008-07-15T11:07:00.004+12:00

We have been working very hard to make sure the house is as finished as possible before our dedication day, Saturday 19th July 2008. Volunteers, plumbers, carpet layers and electricians have been working away and it looks like we will have a finished house very soon.

As you can see we have been working on the landscaping for the house, putting in white stones on the path, top soil, and creative concreting for the pathway. There are even some veges in the vege garden!

You are invited to our dedication to be held on site at 3pm on Saturday 19th July. Please RSVP to Alan on hfhdunedin@xtra.co.nz.

See you there!

Rain nor hail nor sleet nor snow ....

2008-07-07T21:43:00.003+12:00

As the saying goes...

Nothing can stop the habitat die hards from working on a habitat house...
Even though the build was cancelled on Saturday, Dave and Richard braved the snow and cold (abandoning one car on the way) to work on the house. They did a good days work finishing all the wardrobes inside and getting the floor ready for carpet and vinyl. Hopefully they have left some work for us volunteers who didn't manage to make it through the snow and will be there to lend a hand this Saturday (Shona's birthday!!!).

We got wet!

2008-07-02T11:50:00.002+12:00

The last Saturday in June 2008 will be remembered by a band of H4H volunteers who got wet pouring concrete, shifting soil and finishing fences while working at our Habitat house. We all got wet, then cold. We did get a lot done though, our thanks to all. A suggested list for this Saturday, July 5th includes the following; Finish door handles, fit out wardrobes, fit out shelves in linen cupboard, box pad under deck, waterproof under deck, fit clothes line, clean windows, finish side gate and maybe we can do some planting.
We have enjoyed having a bunch of enthusiastic helpers. Our opening date is 19th July. We can do it!

concrete is down

2008-06-25T16:39:00.005+12:00

We had a very productive day on Saturday. We laid the concrete for the driveway, staked out the garden beds and finished all the fencing. The inside of the house was being painted and we even began installing the kitchen.

Thank you to all the enthusiastic volunteers who turned up. If you have lost a pair of grey gloves, we have them for you.

This Saturday we will be able to do the finishing off things inside the house, like put on door knobs and complete the wardrobes and so on. Come along and join in the fun.

Great turn out! More help needed this week

2008-06-19T16:34:00.001+12:00

Last Saturday we enjoyed meeting new and old friends who came to enjoy a day on site. It was encouraging to see so many on site. The basement exterior cladding was completed and painted. Enthusiastic people in masks finished sanding walls and ceilings and some ceilings were given a first coat of paint. It was a good day. Thank you to all who shared in it.

This Saturday we will be concreting the car park pad, setting up boxing for the paths and doing some internal work. We have booked the concrete truck to come at 9 a.m.

We need as many helpers as we can to help with these tasks. You are invited to come and enjoy a day on site as we rocket toward the opening day. The time the Malcam boys are with us is drawing to a close so it will be up to our trusty volunteers to finish the job.

On the home straight!

2008-06-13T18:59:00.004+12:00

We are getting near the finish line. Just a few more weeks left to finish this house. We have put together a schedule of work to be done to help us meet our deadline. We would love as much help as we can get, check out the work to be done and feel free to join us for days of laughter, learning, and some good old fashioned hard work (well, not too hard :) ). If you need to know the address (in Dunedin) leave a comment and we'll send you an email.

7th June
Complete exterior basement cladding and sealer to interior walls and ceilings.
Remove container and cut concrete drive at top.

7th - 14th June
Complete skirtings, retaining wall and door hardware fitted.

14th – 21st June
Fit out wardrobes and sand floors.
Finish exterior work including boxing for paths.
Sand walls and ceilings, doors and windows and clean ready for painters.

21st – 28th June
Paths and concrete completed.
Painting done by painters

28th – 5th July
Heat pump fitted
Carpet and vinyl
Kitchen fitted
Garden plots and clothes line constructed
Electrical and plumbing fitoff.

5th – 12th July
Hang curtains
Finish landscaping
cleaning
Electrical and plumbing finish.

12th – 19th July
Electrical and plumbing finish and clean up.

Help from Mitre 10 Mega Store, Dunedin

2008-05-01T15:41:00.002+12:00

Mitre 10 Mega Store in Dunedin hosted a DIY night this week. The Dulux paint educator spoke about colours and how to choose different colours. There was a $5 admission fee for the evening and this was given directly to the Dunedin Habitat for Humanity. The total came to $1290. We appreciate the very generous support Mitre 10 Mega store already gives Habitat for Humanity and this extra donation.

Help from Studholme College

2008-04-07T21:13:00.004+12:00

On Saturday we were lucky to have around 21 students from Studholme College come out in two shifts and join in the building fun. These energetic lads and ladies set about putting up the frame work around the base of the house ready for the weatherboard to be attached to. One very conscientious volunteer stayed for the entire day and was a dab hand at the nail gun.

Building this Saturday

2008-04-02T20:06:00.005+13:00

A lot of progress has been made on the house. As you can see the roof is now on and the weather boarding has been started around the base.

On Saturday there will be two jobs to be done. Firstly (depending on good weather) we are going to enclose the bottom of the house, It is relatively simple - measuring, sawing and nailing. We have hammers, nail bags and all the gear. We could use around a dozen - 16 people on that . (4 on each side of the house).

The second job is installing the roofing gib board. We have a 'gib holder upper thingy' (I'm sure there is a technical building term but you can see the tool I mean in the photo below).

If there is bad weather then we will be cancelling the working bee. So fingers crossed for good weather and I'll see you all there!

Closing up the house

2008-03-15T20:24:00.009+13:00

This is the view of the house at 9am this morning. Volunteers have been busy during the week putting up the roof and framing. Our task today was to enclose the house in building paper and then we could start working on putting up the weather board. It was a very muggy and hot day and eight volunteers (5 women and 3 men) on site definitely worked up a sweat!This is the view of the house after our hard day's work. We managed to finish covering the house in the building wrap, and even managed to get the first round of weather board on (you can see it at the base on this photo).

There will be no working bee next Saturday as it is Easter weekend, however we will need all hands back on deck the following Saturday and we look forward to seeing all our friendly volunteers.

Roof Framing done!

2008-03-04T16:25:00.002+13:00

A group of Habitat volunteers working with the Malcam Trust people completed the roof framing today. The trusses arrived just after morning tea. By afternoon tea they were all in place with the purlins attached. Working in the sunshine of Dunedin, it was a good effort to complete these so quickly. There was a lot of good homour and much hammering. Many hands make light work. Thanks guys, well done. As someone said, "It looks like a house now!"

Saturday build

2008-03-01T17:44:00.007+13:00

The floor is down, frames are up and the scaffolding is in place. Things are ticking along nicely.
Today nine volunteers, including three new faces, Finlay, Jeff and Brian, spent the day putting up the fence. Despite rain setting in just as we were putting in the last fence posts we had a good day. As a team everyone worked really hard and did not seem to want to stop until the job was finished even when it rained. Wet though we were at the end, there was a good feeling of satisfaction among a great team. Thanks.

Day one of Building

2008-02-20T11:48:00.004+13:00

We have begun building our next house in Dunedin. We have put up a kitset toilet (important things first) and getting things ready for the floor to be put down. There is a working bee this Saturday. Look forward to seeing you all there.

Ready to start our build - February 11th

2008-02-07T17:18:00.000+13:00

The building of our twelfth house in Dunedin is due to start. The floor is being laid by professionals and this work is starting on February 11th, 2008. Martin Webber is our Building Foreman and can be contacted through the Habitat phone number (03) 477 3507.

First Working Bee
Volunteers will be required on Saturday February 16th at 28 Turnbull Street, Brockville. We will be working on site getting everything ready for the build ahead. Volunteers will be welcome to work on site during the week from Monday 18th February. Malcam Trust group begin their work on the building site on February 19th and will be working three days every week until the completion of the job. Malcam Trust works with young people in a variety of ways offering different life experiences. We partner with the Malcam Trust in running the Bargain Barn and they are assisting with financing this build. This is a valuable training opportunity for these young people and any volunteers who can work alongside them would be welcome.

We also look forward to working with the Zonta Women’s Group who will join us on the build in April.

If you are involved with a church or any other group and would like to organise a team building day working along side our volunteers on this build please leave a comment below.

Our Family
We look forward to building with our new family and helping make a house a home from the ground up.

Update on the next build

2007-11-04T13:36:00.001+13:00

Finally all of the paper work has been submitted and it looks like we will be able to get started with our next house in the new year. It is expected that building will begin mid-February 2008 with the flooring/piles etc going down in January in preparation for the main build.

We will also be having a Christmas get together at some stage... So watch this space for more updates.

Working bee Saturday 29th September

2007-09-25T20:11:00.000+12:00

Hi all

Spring has sprung!!! It's time to get out into the sunshine (?) And what better way to do it than with a Habitat for Humanity working bee! We will be meeting at 9am this Saturday 29th September at Kay / Terry’s house (Lincoln Street) to work on the fence. Keep an eye on the blog site for any cancellation news if the weather is dodgy

Work on the fence cancelled

2007-08-17T21:05:00.000+12:00

Hi. With the consistent rain and the fact that it gets muddy up there, we have decided to cancel the working bee on Kaye and Terry's fence for Saturday 18th. Watch this space for the next opportunity.

Thanks.

Working Bee Saturday 18th August

2007-08-16T18:54:00.000+12:00

On Saturday at 9 a.m. we are planning to finish off the fence at Kay and Terry's place on Lincoln Street.
If the weather is wet it gets very muddy up there so we ask that you check the Habitat answer phone (4773507) or our blog for information about cancellation.

A good morning's work

2007-08-15T14:18:00.000+12:00

Before

After

Eight people completely emptied our tool box container and spread all the tools and materials around the site. Gradually we worked through what was worth keeping and what should be discarded. We marked Habitat for Humanity tools (and a few other fingers and things) with a flourescent green squirt of paint and carefully replaced everything in the container. Now remember this. The tools are stored on the right hand side shelves and the materials (nails, paint, tiles etc. ) stashed on the left hand shelves. Now if you mess the container up you may well have eight people jump on you! It was good to catch up on just what we had and sometimes we heard Martin say, "I didn't know we had those!" or "We needed that!" A scream of delight indicated that Jane had found her specially named pencil! We enjoyed the sunny day. It was good to be doing some "Habitating" together again. There is still rubbish to clear, but we were all done and on our way by lunch time. Thank you to all who could make it. The next session will be...?.. watch this space!

Dave Brown

Starting work on House number 12

2007-08-08T19:24:00.000+12:00

We are getting ready to build house number 12 in Dunedin. We need to sort out our work container before building begins. A busy bee will be held on Saturday 11th August with a 9am starting time. All those wishing to help on the busy bee please call the Habitat phone for the address: 477 3507.