By Jolene Ogle
TAIT Duke Cottage is on track to become the house the community built, with local businesses coming together to help support the 10 trainees restoring the 98-year-old historic home.
An initiative of Noosa Council and United Synergies, the restoration of the iconic Tewantin building will see it turned it into a shared space for the whole community built by the construction trainees, aged from 15 to 55 years.
Supervisor Scott McKenzie spoke highly of the trainees who are working hard to learn the skills needed to enter the construction industry and said they all possessed a passion to see the building restored for the community.
“They are all very, very talented,” he said. “Most of the work you see has been done by the trainees and they’re doing an amazing job.”
But the project needs the support of major business to help make the dream a reality. Coming to the aid of the restoration is major construction company Hutchinson Builders, who have come on board as one of the main supporters of the project.
Michael Michell of Hutchinson Builders said since establishing on the coast 12 years ago, the team at Hutchinsons had always had a love for the community and community-based projects.
Mr Michell said a lot of Hutchinson’s staff lived in Noosa so they jumped at the chance when they were asked to help with project management while giving back to local organisations such as United Synergies.
“Hutchies have previously completed several projects for the Noosa Council including the Cooroy Library, Daintree flood mitigation project and Noosa Heads Visitor Centre. Hutchies will continue to make sure we have a presence in Noosa,” he said.
“The perception is that Hutchies is a ‘big builder’ but we are still flexible enough in our structure to build a set of stairs on a house right up to any larger projects such as the new Youi call centre in Sippy Downs.
“Hutchies are actively looking at supporting local community organisations – when Hutchies moves into a regional area we set down roots.”
Many of the trainees taking part in the 19-week construction program have had the chance to learn new skills from Hutchinson Builders’ team members and will take part in an industry night later this month that has been organised by Hutchinson Builders and will allow the trainees to present themselves to potential employers.
Hutchinson Builders have also called on some of their suppliers to help keep the project going. Hanson Concrete, Mesh and Bar, Gowan Lea, Kennards Hire, Bunnings, Austral Masonary, Hitec Glazing and IRT Demolition, are just some of the suppliers who have generously donated to the construction and restoration of the Tait Duke Community Cottage; the cottage the community built.
