Since 2012, Spark employees have been coming to CUE Haven for their staff volunteer days and have made major contributions to our walking track network.  Today a small group joined us for an unusual mid-winter volunteer day and we put them to work on a special project. 

The group arrived first thing in the morning and included Chris, Martin, Nigel and Sean.

Only Martin had been to CUE  Haven before so we spent some time getting acquainted over morning tea. Thomas gave an introduction to CUE Haven and also the safety briefing and plan for the day.

The plan was to improve an area in the wetlands where memorial trees have been planted.  Entry to the area is steep and we had previously installed steps to make it easier to access.  One of the objectives for today was to add a railing to the steps to help people walk up and down. 

The area is turning into a beautiful peaceful area and we also requested the team to relocated a bench which had removed when we reconfigured the intersection of two walking tracks.

Thomas first drove the team out to the work site to take some measurements and plan the work.

We then assembled in the nursery to have a look at the bench and determine the best way to install it.  The timber was cut for the railings based on the measurements taken earlier.

All of the gear was loaded onto the ute and driven to the site.

First we had to clear away vegetation and double check the locations of the railing posts.

The next task was to dig 500mm holes for the posts.

The posts were then installed—each was checked to ensure it was straight and then they were rammed and nailed in place.

The team decided to put the rail on top of the posts and took extra care to cut the tops of the posts to the correct angle.

The top rails were nailed in place and the hand rail looks great.

While part of the team finished off the railing, others went to work on installing the bench.  After deciding where to locate it and how to secure it, they dug out the area and dug holes for the legs.

The bench was fitted in in place.

And tested out!

Installing the railing and the bench was a great addition to the area but the team felt that it would improve the appearance and visitors would enjoy the space more if there was a level platform connecting the bench and the stairs.  Pegs were used to mark out a platform area which was then levelled. 

We then took a break for lunch and then headed back to the nursery to cut the timber to line the platform area.

The timber was used to create a small retaining wall around the proposed platform.

The area was finished off with a layer of gravel.  We filled buckets with gravel and drove back to the work site.

The gravel was dumped on the platform and raked smooth.

We had to go back for a second load of gravel!

The team finished off the area by linking the bench and the stairs.

And did one last test of the bench.

A big thank you to Martin for organizing the visit today and to the entire team for coming out and making such a major contribution to CUE Haven.  It was great to be part of a team with everyone working together to develop creative solutions –everyone had great ideas and showed a lot of dedication to the work and the results are amazing. 

We hope to see you all again at CUE Haven both for another fun and productive volunteer day and also for a relaxing visit with your friends and families to show them your wonderful handiwork as you explore more of CUE Haven.

Thank You !! Thank You!!