St Martin’s Church Renovation
February 2007 – Church Looking Refreshed
An approach by the parishioners of St Martin’s Church in Queenstown to the Business & Employment Community Work Coordinator resulted in the local recruitment and deployment of our Skills in Demand Team to begin the task of restoring this historic building. The Church, with its foundation stone laid during July of the year 1898, was falling into disrepair due to a lack of funds and an aging congregation.
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The goal of the Work for the Dole participants is to regain the former glory of this majestic building whilst gaining work skills and community respect. Working from a photograph taken during 1901 the team have already repainted the Church exterior with paint and materials supplied by the IGA Supermarket and Copper Mines of Tasmania. The peal of the Church bell, now repositioned by the team within its original bell tower, will once again call the faithful to worship.Future works will see the team removing the existing wire perimeter fence, replacing it with a period picket fence and developing concrete pathways. The complete renovation and upgrade of the Church’s rather ‘unique’ outside toilet is also a major aim over the next six month period. Pictured below is the Church, looking refreshed with a new coat of paint and the historic (but somewhat dated) outside ‘dunny’.
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St. Martin’s Church – New Fence Impresses Congregation.
The ongoing work being conducted by our West By Northwest Construction Team is gaining very positive comment from the folk in Queenstown.
The Work for the Dole Team is gaining great plaudits for the improvements that are being completed on St Martin’s Church. The Team have painted the church exterior, removed unsightly trees and replaced the rusty boundary fence with a period picket variety. The street appeal of this fine old Church has improved immensely and the congregation is most appreciative of the work completed to date.
The Rev. Jim Webster stated “The Work for the Dole participants are a blessing for this aging congregation. Our Church is very dear to us and over the past few years was slowly falling into disrepair, but now it has gained a new lease of life and is looking re-splendid. Our parishioners eagerly await the renovation of the Church toilet facilities which is the next scheduled task on the Team Work list.”
The work on the Church is being completed by members of the Business & Employment Community Skills Team. Community Solutions State Manager, Mr Ian Fawkner states “Our team approach provides a very flexible methodology to manage community projects under the Work for he Dole Programme. It provides the jobseekers with a choice to participate and develop skills whilst assisting great community projects in their local area.
The number of mature aged mentors within the Team also contributes to the broader social benefit as they work alongside younger members to develop a definitive work routine.”
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July 2007 – Congregation no longer fear Reback attack!
Acommitted Business & Employment Work for the Dole group has been very active assisting the folk of Queenstown who are regulars at the newly restored St Martin’s Church.
Over a period of many years the good folk at St Martin’s have braved potential attacks from that infamous Slim Dusty spider as they went about their private business. Now thanks to the impressive work completed by the Work for the Dole participants their fears are allayed. The previous toilet has now been fully renovated with new surrounds and fittings minus any spider!
Reverend Jim is overjoyed by the addition of this revamped convenience, “Our older Church members are especially appreciative of the work completed by the lads, their work is a true blessing!” he remarked.
Pictured below are the before and after pictures of the toilet block.
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The congretation of Saint Martin's Church in Queenstown fully understands the community benefits associated with the Australian Government Work for the Dole Program.
Having just completed a major revamp of their heritage listed church and conducting ongoing maintenance at the local cemetery, the Business & Employment Community Solutions Team are also very close to the completion of a new rectory shed.
Building and concreting skills, along with the ability to read a plan, are new skills that the jobseekers take away from their involvement in the activity. Also, a new sense of pride and self value is very evident amongst the group as the completion of the shed draws closer.
Several stages of the construction are pictured below with the ‘grand’ opening and handover to the church community not too far away!
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