A team of Norfolk Island craftsmen has contributed to recent conservation and improvement works in Kingston, to enhance the appearance and amenity of the site for visitors and the community.
The Australian Government-funded project included the creation of hand-cut Norfolk Pine shingles to restore roofs at No. 2 and No. 3 Quality Row (The Duplex).
Other works included replacement of many of the timber bridges, new steps to Slaughter Bay beach and the ongoing refurbishment of all of the change rooms and toilets.
This week I was able to inspect the largest of the recently completed projects, the restoration of the traditional Norfolk pine-shingled roof of the Quality Row building. Accompanied by KAVHA Advisory Committee members, I met and heard firsthand about the restoration from George Parsons, who, with the Island-based team of craftsmen, undertook this important work over autumn.
I express my thanks on behalf of the Australian Government and the KAVHA Heritage Management team, for the quality and craftsmanship of the recently completed restoration works.
The local capability demonstrated in this project, with the creation of hand cut Norfolk pine shingles here on Norfolk Island, is something to celebrate.
We’re extremely proud to see local expertise utilised to deliver the project and the ongoing development of local skills into the future. Ongoing retention of these specialised skills enable us to employ local tradespeople to look after the many structures here at the KAVHA World Heritage site.
Special thanks go to George Parsons, Kane Anderson, Louis Anderson, Glenn Holland, David Magri, Dene Snell, Akasha Adams, Jeht Nobbs, Jess Tierney, Korin Henderson, Ruffy Steven, Franklin Randall, KAVHA Advisory Committee members, Kristal Buckley AM, Kevin Sumption, Duncan Evans, Dids Evans, and members of the KAVHA team.
The building is now re-opened to the public as part of the ongoing program of heritage conservation and protection across Kingston.
Eric Hutchinson
July 2019