God’s Way Ltd AGM

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in November 2020. The Director’s Report has been published and can be accessed here or it can be read and downloaded via the company reports & documents page in the menu bar of this blog via this link.

The board of directors remains the same for the next financial year:

• Mary Luck – managing director and chairperson
• Catherine Spence – director and treasurer
• Eloisa Lytton-Hitchins – director and secretary

The directors extended their thanks to members and volunteers who have consistently contributed to God’s Way Ltd projects over the past year.

Current God’s Way Ltd members

• Mary (Mary Luck)
• Jesus (AJ Miller)
• Catherine Spence
• David Walsh (Corny)
• Eloisa Lytton-Hitchins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Probation Volunteers

God’s Way Ltd has created the opportunity for probation volunteers (individuals who have yet to complete the Volunteer Selection Programme) to spend time with members and work on various God’s Way Ltd projects.

Between August and December probation volunteers contributed to the Terrace Seeding Project. More information can be found in the next section of this post, under the Environment Branch Seed Project probation volunteer activities.

 

 

Volunteer Thank You Lunch

The members and directors hosted a thank you lunch for God’s Way and Divine Truth volunteers. It was an opportunity to extend gratitude to those who are or have been involved (and their partners and children) in the organisations projects, engage in truthful conversation, have some fun and spend time together in a social setting. The event was enjoyed by all who attended. Images are a combination from the thank you lunch and volunteers/probation volunteers working on God’s Way Ltd activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terrace Project

The terrace project continued between August and November. Aerial photos were taken of the terrace project in August which gives an overview of the project to date. Thank you to Jadda for donating the drone images to God’s Way Ltd.

 

Aerial photos of the terrace project, August 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

The images below show the next section of the Function Centre that will be terraced.

 

 

Water catchment areas

During August two water catchment areas were created (small ponds) at the Function Centre terrace project. These have been designed to catch, hold and slowly seep water through the landscape. One pond was constructed in a heavily eroded area and the second pond is a converted terrace, which was holding water for months at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images of the pond that was constructed above terrace one. The pond was completed in August 2020 and caught water in the first rain in October 2020.

 

 

Comparison of plant growth in the terraces and the vegetation between the terraces, August 2020.

It is noticeable in drier conditions that the plants growing in the terraces are greener, healthier and have more abundance of flowers and seed due to the terraces holding moisture (dew) and water from rain events.

 

 

 

 

Native Flora Documentation Project

In October 2020, God’s Way Ltd was gifted the time, knowledge and expertise of a local botanist to document the Learning Centre flora. Lauren Pinwell spent days with Catherine Spence walking over the Environment Centre and Function Centre collecting specimens and identifying plant species native to Australia and the local area.

Species identified have included some endangered flora species such as the Tingoora Wattle Acacia tingoorensis or .

The species documentation project on God’s Way Ltd properties is an extensive one that will be continued over the coming years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mulch Project Costs December 2020

Mulch Costs Ground/Processed & Delivered

Heavy Machinery Maintenance

Over the August to December work periods some heavy machinery repairs were made.

The dozer’s tilt blade function failed and needed to be repaired.

The excavator’s fuel filter was replaced. New safety switches were installed on the excavator so that emergency shutdown happens at the push of a button.

Over the past years God’s Way Ltd has been gifted the use of a small tip truck by Divine Truth Pty Ltd. The ‘yellow tipper’, as it commonly referred to within the organisation, has had various issues since it’s purchase one of which included a gearbox change which cost $13,000. Over the past months more issues have been found including a fuel pump problem which has caused the tipper to be unusable and made some projects harder and more complicated while the tipper has been out of action.

In order to trouble shoot the fuel pump issue a new fuel pump was ordered. This proved to be problematic from the beginning as the tipper is an older model and there are few spare parts available for it in Australia. It took four months (due to postal delays) for a new fuel pump to arrive and after it was installed the issue was still occurred.

Since then other issues have also been found and the following repairs were required:

• Fuel pump & seals fixed
• New hoses to the fuel pump
• Radiator refurbishment
• Toe ball to be attached
• Replace temperature gauge
• Reconditioned injector pump
• Replace injectors

The above list of repairs ended up costing $6,000 AUD. The repairs, and some modifications (a new tip tray) made to the tipper so far have cost more than the original purchase price of the tip truck.

Due to the unreliability of the yellow tipper, how hard it is to source spare parts and the inconvenience of the tipper being out of action for months at a time, God’s Way Ltd is investigating costs and options to purchase a brand new (or single used highly reliable) tip truck as the small tippers are so handy to use on God’s Way Ltd projects.

 

 

 

Function Centre Caretaker’s Residence Renovation Project

In August & September 2020 the Construction Branch continued the Caretakers Residence Renovation. The house has been designed to be as maintenance free as possible.

A few areas on the house did however require painting such as raw steelwork or steelwork that had previously been painted, (the steel work was painted in colours to match the new color scheme), this included:

• stumps
• bearers
• veranda posts
• rafters

Gutters were plumbed in from both sides of the house to the water tank. The water collected off the roof in rain events becomes potable drinking water. Rain water and dam water are the only water sources available on the Function Centre caretakers property.

The first flush system (the system) is designed to keep the rain water clean. The system allows for the removal of leaves and other debris before it enters the pipework, this ensures that the water entering the tank is as clean as possible. A horizontal pipe that slopes gently downward towards an inspection cap adds additional filtration of dirt and any heavy material that may settle in the plumbing. The pipe will be periodically drained and cleaned.

 

 

 

 

Inside the caretakers residence the renovation continued. A coat of waterproofing material was applied in the caretakers residence wet areas.

 

Function Centre Caretaker’s Shed Extension Project

In October the Construction Branch conducted some preparation work on the Function Centre Caretaker’s Shed Extension Project. The shed extension is being created as a heavy machinery servicing and general maintenance shed.

Plans of the proposed shed extension were sent to a structural engineer who approved and signed off the plans. Information required by the local council has been gathered, submitted and paid for so that a building permit can be issued for the shed extension.

The shed extension posts/columns will share the same foundations as the adjoining pre-existing shed. Due to the shed being extended the load (weight) of both sheds has increased. Because of this the existing foundations will be removed, enlarged and re-established.

Two of the existing post foundations had a concrete slab poured over the top of them. The slab has been cut away and jack-hammered out in readiness for when the new shed gains Council approval and the project begins.

 

10m x 10m Shed Build

The 10m x 10m Shed Build has been completed (more information can be found in
June & July 2020 Activity Report)

In August extra bracing was installed on the rear bays of the 10m x 10m kit shed, this upgraded the shed to withstand cyclonic conditions.

Though the geographical area (location) where the shed is built, 125km inland from the coast, is not currently regarded as a cyclone affected area, the shed has been designed to withstand major climatic changes. In the event that rapid, destructive environmental events do occur potable (drinkable) water will be a resource vital for continual sustained existence of humanity and flora and fauna. The shed has been strengthened to ensure the structure survives extreme weather events so it can serve its purpose to protect the catchment of potable water.

The water tanks were installed underneath the shed roof so they are protected from the elements and UV light. This is to ensure that there will be a water supply in all conditions and circumstances and the water tanks will last for many years.

Once the water tanks were positioned, upgraded cross bracing was added onto the side bays of the shed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Tanks Moved & Positioned

In August 2020, water tanks that were previously cleaned (more information can be found in the June & July 2020 Activity Report), were ready to be taken to their respective locations.

Four water tanks were installed to collect water off the 10m x 10m shed roof. The tanks will gravity feed water to other locations on the Function Centre and Function Centre Caretakers properties.

Now that the water tanks have been installed the opportunity to water the terraces exists. Plans are in place to pump dam water up to the 10m x 10m tanks and gravity feed the water down the hillside as required.

Water tank installation information

• • Each water tank is made from high density Polyethylene and weighs approximately 450kg.
  • A car trailer was hired to move the tanks. A temporary timber platform was built and inserted to raise the trailer floor level up to the height of the trailer wheel guards, this enabled the tanks to roll smoothly onto the trailer.
  • Aluminium building planks were used to create a gentle slope for the tanks to roll on and off the trailer.
  • When the water tanks were rolled off the trailer and into the required position on the tank pad, the tanks were then simply pushed over (lots of volunteer muscle was applied) to land on their base.
  • Care is taken to ensure that the ground that the tanks land on is clear of obstacles and protrusions that could puncture the tanks.

With experience volunteers found that the placement of the tanks could be done quite accurately so when a tank was tipped over it landed almost exactly in the position required. Sometimes this was not feasible for example when tanks were placed under a roof they need to be skidded into position.

Skidding tanks into position

• • • The tanks under the 10m x 10m shed were 3.6m high when turned on their side. These tanks were skidded to their precise location.
    • Skids are made from long, strong but not very wide material that can be put under the tank acting a little like railway tracks.
    • The skids keep the tank off the ground so it can be pushed sideways while creating as little friction as possible (the more friction the harder it is to push).
    • Skids are also used to rotate the tanks on the spot if necessary. For example lining up the tops of the tanks so the water intake basket is in line with the roof gutter location.
    • Steel skids and hardwood skids were trialled to slide the tanks into position.
    • Volunteers found that hardwood skids rubbed down with a bar of soap were the most effective as skids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two water tanks were installed in close proximity to the residence and gardens (at the highest point closest to the house) on the Function Centre Caretakers property to store and then gravity feed dam water to the garden areas around the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During September 2020, the water tanks that were installed under the 10m x 10m shed were re positioned (rotated) so that plumbing fittings are easily accessible and correctly positioned. The tanks have been reused from other locations and have pre-existing holes cut into them to attach valves and install overflow connections. The existing holes did not end up in the precise position required when first moved so the tanks were rotated so the existing holes are now in the best position for the tanks new use.

The method to rotate a 1/2 tonne tank was to use skids:

• • Which are two long lengths of hardwood timber with a layer of soap rubbed into the timber.
  • The tank has direct contact with the timber and can be easily rotated
  • To get the timbers under the tank, a lever was set up using a crowbar on top of a block of wood
  • The crowbar was inserted underneath the tank to lift it up which made enough space to slide the timber skids under the tank.
  • Once the timber was in place, two long ratchet straps (usually used for tying down loads on trucks) were positioned around the perimeter of the tank at about waist height, the ratchet tightening handles were positioned at opposite sides of the tank
  • When the straps were done up tight, the ratchet handles then became handles to rotate the tank into the desired position.

 

 

Server Upgrade

Jesus server setup and hardware builds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eco-tent/Cabin Refurbishment

Eco-tent/cabin before refurbishment commenced.

 

 

Eco-tent/cabin one refurbishment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eco-tent/cabin two refurbishment

 

 

 

Final Words

The August to December 2020, work periods have been filled with activities. Members have noticed that even with a very small team, when they diligently chip away at projects much can be accomplished over time.

Until the next update, best wishes from the directors of God’s Way Ltd.

 

 

 

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Title: Activity Report: August to October, 2020
Date of Submission: 15 December 2020
Date of Event: 1 August – 9 August 2020, 20 August to 6 September, 16 September – 4 October & 14 October – 1 November
Post Contributors: Eloisa Lytton-Hitchins, Mary Luck, David Walsh, Catherine Spence
Location: Wilkesdale, Queensland, Australia