Flagpoles in Te Awamutu have a friend in the Menzshed.
Having restored to glory the pole on Anzac Green in the centre of Te Awamutu just over 12 months ago, the blokes have now done the same for the pole at Te Awamutu’s cemetery on Picquet Hill Road.
It’s just in time for it to fly the flag proudly for Anzac services.
The pole, which dates back half a century, was showing its age – ravaged by rust and its moving parts seized to the point its primary job of raising and lowering flags – couldn’t be done.
Menzshed had it taken down and the metal sandblasted – a community service provided free by Te Awamutu’s Industrial Blast and Paint – before it was taken to Menzshed HQ to have its workings restored, nylon pulleys added and then given a new coat of paint – donated by Alan Patterson in his role as Territory Manager at Dulux. The project was overseen by Menzshed member Fred Steed.
District councillor Lou Brown – Core Values Coordinator at the Te Awamutu RSA – was delighted at the end of the six week project and said it was important to acknowledge and record the support Te Awamutu enjoyed from businesses and Menzshed.
The timing of the work ensured the flagpole would be in use for Anzac services – which are drawing increasing numbers of people to the cemetery each year as they remember their late relatives.
Fred Steed, who oversaw the repair work, pictured with RSA life member Ross Wardlaw, left, and Lou Brown, right.
