Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

Denmark Senior High School students are making progress with the restoration of one of Denmark’s iconic wooden boats, Tiki.

The restoration began last year after now-retired teacher, Pete Logan, suggested it as a project for the school’s recreational pursuits course.

Since then a dozen year 11 students, and the school’s design and technology teachers, have been restoring the boat that was in dire need of repair.

Teacher Patrick McConigley said the project had provided a great opportunity for students to learn new skills that were transferable to other situations.

“There’s a resurgence in wooden boats and this may provide a career pathway for some of these students,” Patrick said.

“Either way they’re learning to work as a team, learning about tools and timbers while picking up skills that’ll be incredibly handy in the future.

“This project is unlike any other at our school and we’re really proud of what the students have achieved so far.”

Student Kynan Diack said it was rewarding to see the boat looking in better shape than when it was first delivered to the school workshop.

“I’ve sailed before and that’s part of the reason I was interested in this project,” Kynan said.

“We’ll get to sail this boat when it’s finished and that’s going to be brilliant as we know every inch of it.”

The restoration work was due for completion at the beginning of this year but Patrick reported there were considerable delays as there was far more rot than first thought.

This led to the boat needing to be redecked with other areas requiring a complete rebuild.

Completion is now planned for the end of September.

The 72 year old clinker-built boat is owned by John Ricketts who inherited it from his father Jack.

Many Denmark residents and visitors to town have enjoyed a cruise on the river on Tiki which the Ricketts family once offered on Australia Day.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 14 July 2022.