By Ethan Benedicto
More than 470 volunteers from around Australia and New Zealand took part in renovating the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Narre Warren.
Located at 1-11 Ernst Wanke Road, a construction project specialist team from the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation ruled in April 2018 that the building needed restoration, with the renovation only taking seven months to complete.
:Local spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witnesses Joshua Wilson said many in the local community were impressed by how quick the process was.
“While some volunteers are qualified tradespeople, there are many who had less experience and were willing to learn skills while onsite,” he said.
The volunteers were trained and supervised by qualified tradespeople, which gave them the opportunity to further develop their skills and contribute to the project.
Chris Birch, a carpenter from Victor Harbor in South Australia and his wife Roberta travelled more than 800 kilometres to help on the project.
“It was a real privilege for us to be able to work on the Kingdom Hall; it’s incredible to work along with amazing people who have the same values in life as we do,” he said.
“We always look forward to be involved in this type of work and hope the community enjoys the new renovations.”
Project overseer Stephen Goodall said many volunteers supported this project from near and far.
“These volunteer tradespeople patiently and happily worked alongside volunteers of all ages without construction experience and taught them new skills,” he said.
“Some helped with demolition, carpentry and even scaffolding, and the willing attitude of those that worked with the team was amazing.”
Hampton Park volunteer Olivia Hadden said she felt nervous when she first arrived, but was put at ease by the kindness of the renovation team.
“I was excited, but being a young person I was also a little anxious because I had no trade skills and was unsure of what I could do to help,” she said.
“That quickly faded away when the team warmly welcomed me and began to teach me many new skills straight away, and by the end of the project, I was more confident and saw how much I could help despite my inexperience.”
The restoration finished on Thursday 14 September and included a large number of improvements, such as structural upgrades, new carpet and tiles, new roofing and replacement of all amenities.
