Preserving history with precision

By Jaci Hicken

Sep 27, 2024

One of MP Maintenance and Construction’s notable projects is the ongoing work at Moira Station, where they repurpose old-school materials to suit the historic red brick and hardwood timbers of the property. Photo by Aidan Briggs

MP MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION IS YOUR LOCAL FULL-SERVICE BUILDING, MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION ONE-STOP-SHOP.

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Their services include building and renovations for anything from complete house builds and renovations of homes and historic properties to decks, pergolas and fences.

They can install OT-approved aids for your home, including handrails, ramps and other features needed to add comfort and convenience to your living space.

Once your building works are completed or if you need it, MP Maintenance and Construction offers a cleaning and gardening service in addition to building and construction works.

One of the projects that MP Maintenance and Construction co-owner Jacob Ludbey is most proud of is their ongoing work at Moira Station.

MP Maintenance and Construction’s work on Moira Station involves repurposing and sourcing old-school material that suits the historic red brick and hardwood timbers.

Moira Station is home to the Smith family, who farm the surrounding area and host weddings and functions on the property.

Recently, MP Maintenance and Construction restored and converted an old shed, which was once the property’s waterhole, into a toilet block for wedding guests at the homestead.

At Moira Station, MP Maintenance and Construction has converted an old shed into a modern toilet block for wedding guests, maintaining an old-school theme with new and modernised features. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Historical charm in the new toilet block at Moira Station Photo by Aidan Briggs

Old school tin and river red gum divider set the guest’s bathrooms at Moira Station. Photo by Aidan Briggs

From the outside, the building still looks like an old shed, but the internals are now male, female and disabled bathrooms.

“Many of the timbers and the materials we use, you just can’t go and buy them; you have to source the materials,” Jacob said.

“It is a bit of a process, restoring it all.

“You walk inside, and it has an old-school theme, but it is all new and modernised.

“It is all dressed river red gum dividers with the galvanised tin on the inside.

“We put concrete tiles on, so it looks like a concrete floor, which is in most of the house, and the tiles are halfway up the walls throughout.

“The old black and white floral tiles, which cost an arm and a leg, but they made it look good.”

The old shed being converted into a toilet block is only one of many projects MP Maintenance and Construction has worked on at Moira Station.

They have also restored and stabilised the homestead’s verandas, built the beautiful bar in the men’s quarters, and restored the hallways and fireplace in the Red Room.

MP Maintenance and Construction crafted the beautiful bar of a floating river red gum. Photo by Aidan Briggs

MP Maintenance and Construction has been restoring hallways and fireplaces in the Red Room at Moira Station. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Moira Station’s owner Jess Smith values MP’s Maintenance and Construction ability to balance conservation of history with modern functionality, praising their craftsmanship and project management skills. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Founded in 1842, with the historic homestead starting to be built in 1866, Moira Station’s Jess Smith knows the historical significance of the property and its surrounding land.

“For us and with any historic place, it is about preserving and conserving that history,” Jess said.

“However, obviously, we are always trying to make sure that it is functional and practical for the modern day.

“We are trying to find that balance between conservation and preserving, but also making it functional for today’s use.

“We found that MP Maintenance and Construction were incredible at doing that, and they also understood the importance of that for us.

“They have been so incredible at helping us find materials around the property and reusing and repurposing it to keep within the authenticity of the station.”

Jess envisions a long relationship with MP Maintenance and Construction, with more restorations at the property in the pipeline.

She feels that they take on her family’s vision and then deliver on projects tenfold, with everything MP Maintenance and Construction has done crafted authentically and in consideration of the historical significance.

“We give MP an expansive vision of what we are hoping for, and then they come back, source material, source what we were thinking, create these pictures and images and then develop this beautiful end product,” she said.

“When you first engage with anyone, you are a bit nervous, and then after the first project, we were just in awe about the work MP has done.

“I feel like they have a project management element to what they do; they are not just maintenance and construction; they are not just builders; they are the whole package.”