Bench keeps precious memories

Michelle Lynch and Danny van Beek
Michelle Lynch and Danny van Beek

WHEN Michelle Lynch’s father, Ray Court, passed away in June last year she wanted something special to remember him.

Ray was very passionate about his waterbed and the surrounding timber frame.  

“Over the years as the insides of the bed deteriorated he still would not part with, as he put it, the million-dollar timber bed,” he said.

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“I tried to give him an ensemble with no success.”  

When Michelle had to empty out her father’s unit, the most difficult decision was what to do with the timber frame from his waterbed.  

She called in to have a chat at the Canungra Men’s Shed, with the idea that they might be able make a bench seat from it.

Danny van Beek used most of the timber from the frame to make the seat, saying he believes the timber was Western Red Cedar from a very old tree.

“I measured it up and originally it was going to be a church pew idea, which is a flat board, but we had two pieces that I angled which makes it more comfortable.”

Repurposing timber items is a big part of what the Men’s Shed does and Michelle is grateful to have such a unique momento of her father.

“Danny and the guys were very helpful and I picked up my treasured million-dollar bench seat recently.”

“I really appreciate what the guys have done and I think Danny enjoyed building it for me.”

About Keer Moriarty 326 Articles
A passionate supporter of small communities and local news, Keer is one of the partners behind Scenic Rim Media - the company that owns Canungra Times, Beaudesert Bulletin and Tamborine Mountain News.