Rookwood Weir apprentices upskill with cubby house construction

31 August 2023

Six apprentices from the Rookwood Weir project have completed a skills-based initiative to produce 2 beautiful cubby houses for Queensland families in need.

The skills-based initiative gave apprentices the opportunity to learn new skills as part of their on-site training. Apprentices learnt new techniques and carpentry skills in the areas of:

  • flooring
  • stairs
  • wall and roof framing
  • cladding
  • lining
  • door and window installation
  • painting.

The cubby houses are made with quality weatherboard cladding and a corrugated roof, and will provide children with an engaging and memorable place to play for years to come. Both cubbies have been presented to community group, Roseberry Qld, based in Rockhampton and Gladstone. One cubby will stay at the Gladstone office, while the other will go to a property in the region.

Fourth-year apprentice Jack Arrington said building the cubbies with other apprentices and knowing they will be put to good use in the community has been an enjoyable task.

“I’ve been with the Rookwood Weir project since mid-2021 and have had a fantastic time learning my trade and working on such a landmark water project for Central Queensland,” Jack said.

“The skills I have been able to learn on the project include form-setting, steel fixing and concreting whereas working on the cubby houses has broadened my carpentry skills through making timber walls, doors and window frames, along with learning roofing techniques.”

Over 30 apprentices and trainees have worked on the project, with collaboration between the Rookwood Weir Alliance and Construction Skills Training Centre driving the skills initiative. Local businesses Konnect Fastening Systems and CQ Fasteners provided the materials for the cubby houses.

Construction of Rookwood Weir is 95% complete, with an expected final completion by the end of this year, weather permitting. 

The project is jointly funded between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Sunwater. Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.

Contruction workers building a cubbyhouse.
Construction of a cubby house at Rookwood Weir. Photo courtesy of Sunwater.

Learn more

Find out more about the Rookwood Weir project.