Not dead yet

In relation to our article An Australian endangered species – Owner builders

Diana Rickard, Tumbling Waters NT, Jan 20, 2025

Thanks for your article, Neil. It brought back memories of growing up in Housing Commission in Moe, I’m now a proud owner/co-builder of what some people call a ‘substandard shed’ in my rural area of the Top End NT.

You’re right, we’re a dying breed. We’re proud, strong and committed to using re-used, recycled and repaired materials from landfill and second-hand building suppliers and – we’re finding it harder and harder to find what we need to repair and maintain our beloved homes.

We don’t want to use new materials, especially when they’re made from pollutive, synthetic materials.

It’s always a pleasure to meet other owner-builders with spare bits of tin and steel and re-usable wood and who are happy to rummage in ‘rubbish’ heaps for hidden treasure to add to our homes. My home isn’t small – big enough to feel relaxed and at home in. It’s open, full of natural light with louvred windows able to be closed against wind and rain. Birds and other small creatures love to visit to check out what’s happening. The only air conditioning comes through windows and open doors.

Life’s fulfilling and rewarding in my owner(never-quite)/built ‘shed’. Creative. Alive. Never dull.