Foreword.
April 7, 1985 in Australia
Easter 1985. We first discussed the possibility of moving to Molyullah.
Janette has known Molyullah all her life because of her Uncle Lex living here.
I first came when I met Janette in 1976.
FromRead more
Lex Devitt.
April 8, 1985 in Australia
Lex was a Melbourne boy, born and bred. He lived in North Caulfield with his parents and two older sisters. He attended Caulfield Grammar School.
He was an apprentice at Kelly and Lewis Engineering inRead more
The site.
October 25, 1989 in Australia
The first site we considered was near the stone hut. We even fenced off a block and planted fruit trees. Access in wet weather might have proved difficult though.
It was then decided that our currentRead more
The shed and the power.
November 1, 1990 in Australia
Lex got the power on in 1987. It came from Irene and Robert Erskine's line which comes in from Tatong.
It required seven poles, two on the Erskine’s' and five on Lex's.
That meant we would need onlyRead more
September 1996 - a start at last.
September 1, 1996 in Australia ⋅ 15 °C
I 'retired' and moved up in August 1996. We had sold our house in Nth Dandenong. Janette continued to work at PFD while living with her Mum, Paula Lee during the week. PFD didn't want to lose JanetteRead more
The slab.
December 1, 1996 in Australia
Once the site was levelled and the house footprint could be properly accommodated, it was time to think about the slab.
Ross McMahon was to pour the slab and he brought out formwork and set itRead more
The frame arrives.
December 14, 1996 in Australia
We had a call that the steel frame would be leaving Melbourne on Friday. Because it was oversize, it couldn't leave until after the peak hours had finished.
Doug, the PFD rep from Mansfield, came onRead more
Erection.
December 20, 1996 in Australia
Stuart, the manager at Dahlsens who organised our steel frame, and Boris, one of their builders, came up for a weekend to help erect the frame. They volunteered, saying a weekend in the country wouldRead more
Meanwhile, back at the shed.
January 15, 1997 in Australia
The frame is well advanced, and so is organising the next stages:-
*brickies sand, lime, cement, bricks for the chimney, blue foil insulation and brick ties - we have to supply everything. TheRead more
We have a frame!
February 7, 1997 in Australia
Frame inspection - passed!
8/2/97 took delivery of:-
Jotul wood heater
Stanley kitchen stove
Jetmaster open fire.
The stonies are booked in.
February 9, 1997 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Once the frame was finished, we called David Broadhurst, our stoney, to let him know we were ready.
Everything now depended on what he had on. We were now totally dependant on when he would beRead more
Woo hoo - we have a loo!
March 1, 1997 in Australia
The only loo at the shed was a 'porta-potty'. With three stonies likely to be living here for a while, I would be emptying it every couple of days.
I bought a pan and installed it in the toilet at theRead more
March 11th 1997 - first stones are laid.
March 11, 1997 in Australia
David (the boss), Andrew and Sandy laid the first stones today.
David worked inside on the wall, fireplace and chimney. Andrew started on the SW corner of the living room. Sandy started on the cornerRead more
The cost of being a snorer.
March 21, 1997 in Australia
Snorers always seem to be the first to go to sleep, and their snoring keeps others awake.
David snores.
His 'friends' moved his bed out to the tractor carport.
Getting there.
April 14, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 22 °C
Over the next few weeks, the walls gradually grew.
We made the Benalla Ensign.
April 25, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 16 °C
It seemed that we had somehow got onto the local tourist map. People we didn't know would just turn up to have a look at what we were doing.
A reporter at the Benalla Ensign asked if he could run aRead more
Roof on.
May 2, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 16 °C
29th April - 2nd May - the gutter and roof fixed.
Two sheets of iron were taken off to allow the chimney to exit the house. I was to replace them once the chimney was complete. The plumbers would thenRead more
Chimney finished.
May 9, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 12 °C
The chimney is finished.
The back wall and the gables remain to be finished.
The stonework is finished.
May 25, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 12 °C
Not sure of the exact date ,but the stonies finished late May.
Now for the inside.
May 26, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 9 °C
The first thing to organise internally was the plastering. I had called three plasterers but when I said it was steel frame and ten foot ceilings, two weren't too interested. Graham 'Grubby' HollandRead more
Jotul heater and Stanley stove.
May 28, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 16 °C
Stones were selected to make hearths for the stove and the heater.
Both had been held in place by standing them on bricks.
Starting with the stove, each one was held on a plank with a car jack at eachRead more
Electrician and plumber back to fit out.
May 31, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 10 °C
Next on the list are the plumber and electrician to do their fit out.
After that it's painting.
Painting.
June 3, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 11 °C
Painting isn't my favourite job but it's a lot easier when drips and splatters don't matter that much.
A bit of plumbing.
July 10, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 7 °C
The bath and the handbasin in the loo were installed. Having the bath in place meant we had a shower.
A temporary kitchen sink and benches were used - melamine on trestles.
Skirting and architrave.
July 30, 1997 in Australia ⋅ 15 °C
Skirting was needed for each room.
Architrave was needed for:-
5 double doors (external)
1 single door (external)
17 windows
8 internal doors (2 sides)
1 linen press
All were pre-cut andRead more

















































































