A PIECE of maritime history has returned to the Mornington Peninsula thanks to the dedication of the New Peninsula Men’s Shed.
The Mount Martha shed has completed a four-year restoration of the 12ft Classic Cadet Dinghy, “Bunyip”, a historic Tasmanian sailing boat with a documented 30-year racing history.
Bunyip was discovered in Tasmania by a Men’s Shed member and brought to Mount Martha for a complete rebuild. The dinghy, made from cedar, mahogany, and Huon pine, is currently on display in the foyer of New Peninsula Church, Mount Martha, and will later feature at the Paynesville Classic Boat Rally before being made available for display at yacht clubs and maritime museums.
“The team at New Peninsula Mount Martha Men’s Shed took four years to painstakingly rebuild Bunyip which had fallen into disrepair including completely stripping back to bare timber and replacing some of the starboard side planks,” Men’s Shed member David Coyle said.
“Now completely rebuilt the Men’s Shed would like to see her appreciated and admired, as the traditional boat building skills used in the construction and restoration of Bunyip are now quickly disappearing from today’s boat building industry.”
Built in 1962 by renowned Tasmanian boat builder Bruce Darcey for a private client, Bunyip has long been regarded as a work of art.
The restoration team can be visited at the Men’s Shed at 370 Craigie Road, Mount Martha, on Tuesdays from 9am to 12 noon.
If you are interested in displaying Bunyip at your organisation contact David Coyle on 0411 118 352.