Clubhouse Working Bee
24th & 25th March '18
24th & 25th March '18
An old building way back then - history unkown - ripped up from somewhere by someone and transported to a vacant block of land in Strickland Road. A convenient location next to the East Bendigo Primary School. Soon after they added a second-hand railway building to the side and that was the beginnings of the new East Bendigo Scout Hall. Re-painted, re-wired, re-plumbed - a wonderful place for kids and adults to gather and do whatever it is scouts do. (Probably should have done some research on what it is they actually do, keeping in mind there is a worn white painted circle on the floor and some rather large hooks poking out from the internal walls….).
As the years went by, maintenance might not have been high on their list of priorities, perhaps funds were an issue or maybe time just took its toll. Forty years later the Scouts have moved on to greener pastures, and the once loved hall fell into serious dis-repair. Rotting boards, peeling paint, rusting spouting, trees and grass overgrown – all evident as the elements worked at returning the building back into the ground.
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Nearly four years ago when we began discussions with the District Commissioner of Scouting about the possibilities of Custom Addictions leasing the abandoned building for our Car Club, we had planned to do a renovation job on the exterior. Partly for us, but also for the Scouts in a show of gratitude. Because without them, there would be no hall and no Custom Addictions Clubhouse.
The project was critically discussed over numerous beers, strategic requirements planned thoroughly and times and dates set. Nah - a text was sent out with the date and that was it, all done and ready to go.
The Saturday dawned clear and sunny but with the weather bureau predicting showers. Yeah, we're gonna believe that. Surely not for Bendigo - which has recorded just 0.00002mm of rain in the last 6 months. From 8 o’clock Club members began arriving with their scaffolding, pressure washers, sanders, scrapers, rollers and paint brushes. Once the scaffolding was built, the sanders were fired up and work began. In what seemed like no time at all, people started painting and it looked like we may get the whole building completed in one day. It’s amazing what 35 individuals can achieve. There were six sanders working on the walls, there were kids painting that had never held a paint brush (for that matter, it looked like there may have been some adults too). What a great experience.
But sure enough, as the showers rolled in from around noon - and we had several walls freshly painted - we all ran inside for cover. Except the freshly painted and distinctly wet walls had nowhere to run. Except down.
A bad time for the walls, but not a bad time to eat. So while it rained outside we lunched on freshly cooked pizza, steamed dim sims & soy sauce, party pies & sausage rolls, fresh hot jam donuts, gourmet sandwiches, cupcakes with double whipped cream, lemon cheesecake, chocolate hedgehog, soft drink and beers – I could go on – but for you guys that weren’t there, that would just be torture. A huge thanks to the members that prepared, cooked and served the food. The rain stopped and back outside the damage to the walls was not too much of a problem. We would just have to let them dry and put a quick coat over tomorrow. As the afternoon wore on, the work slowed directly proportionate to the quantity of beer consumed. Until work stopped. And beer consumption increased as a result of work stopping. We locked up late that evening and drove away happy that the old building was beginning to come together.
It rained overnight and early Sunday was cloudy and a little gloomy. A couple of hardened members (that doesn’t sound right – sorry) were on hand early (geez, I’d better stop) to begin on the walls again, but it really did look dark and rainy. However, Bendigo being Bendigo, it cleared right up and we were in to it again. No sanding or scraping today, just painting, pizza’s and beers. Once again, sorry for torturing you guys that weren’t there, but like the Logan Camping Weekend Incident, we’ll only ever do this the first time once. Ya had to be there.
So, here it is. After two highly enjoyable days, we have achieved a very surprising and satisfying result. Have a look at the photos below – an amazing record of the transformation of our Clubhouse and the 35 motivated Club members and their families who dedicated one or two days to the cause.
We thank you.
As the years went by, maintenance might not have been high on their list of priorities, perhaps funds were an issue or maybe time just took its toll. Forty years later the Scouts have moved on to greener pastures, and the once loved hall fell into serious dis-repair. Rotting boards, peeling paint, rusting spouting, trees and grass overgrown – all evident as the elements worked at returning the building back into the ground.
______________________________________________
Nearly four years ago when we began discussions with the District Commissioner of Scouting about the possibilities of Custom Addictions leasing the abandoned building for our Car Club, we had planned to do a renovation job on the exterior. Partly for us, but also for the Scouts in a show of gratitude. Because without them, there would be no hall and no Custom Addictions Clubhouse.
The project was critically discussed over numerous beers, strategic requirements planned thoroughly and times and dates set. Nah - a text was sent out with the date and that was it, all done and ready to go.
The Saturday dawned clear and sunny but with the weather bureau predicting showers. Yeah, we're gonna believe that. Surely not for Bendigo - which has recorded just 0.00002mm of rain in the last 6 months. From 8 o’clock Club members began arriving with their scaffolding, pressure washers, sanders, scrapers, rollers and paint brushes. Once the scaffolding was built, the sanders were fired up and work began. In what seemed like no time at all, people started painting and it looked like we may get the whole building completed in one day. It’s amazing what 35 individuals can achieve. There were six sanders working on the walls, there were kids painting that had never held a paint brush (for that matter, it looked like there may have been some adults too). What a great experience.
But sure enough, as the showers rolled in from around noon - and we had several walls freshly painted - we all ran inside for cover. Except the freshly painted and distinctly wet walls had nowhere to run. Except down.
A bad time for the walls, but not a bad time to eat. So while it rained outside we lunched on freshly cooked pizza, steamed dim sims & soy sauce, party pies & sausage rolls, fresh hot jam donuts, gourmet sandwiches, cupcakes with double whipped cream, lemon cheesecake, chocolate hedgehog, soft drink and beers – I could go on – but for you guys that weren’t there, that would just be torture. A huge thanks to the members that prepared, cooked and served the food. The rain stopped and back outside the damage to the walls was not too much of a problem. We would just have to let them dry and put a quick coat over tomorrow. As the afternoon wore on, the work slowed directly proportionate to the quantity of beer consumed. Until work stopped. And beer consumption increased as a result of work stopping. We locked up late that evening and drove away happy that the old building was beginning to come together.
It rained overnight and early Sunday was cloudy and a little gloomy. A couple of hardened members (that doesn’t sound right – sorry) were on hand early (geez, I’d better stop) to begin on the walls again, but it really did look dark and rainy. However, Bendigo being Bendigo, it cleared right up and we were in to it again. No sanding or scraping today, just painting, pizza’s and beers. Once again, sorry for torturing you guys that weren’t there, but like the Logan Camping Weekend Incident, we’ll only ever do this the first time once. Ya had to be there.
So, here it is. After two highly enjoyable days, we have achieved a very surprising and satisfying result. Have a look at the photos below – an amazing record of the transformation of our Clubhouse and the 35 motivated Club members and their families who dedicated one or two days to the cause.
We thank you.
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Before & After
We'll see you on a cruise somewhere!
