Two locals have celebrated success at the Deniliquin CAT Tradie Challenge as part of the annual Deni Ute Muster.
The Deni Ute Muster is an annual festival held in Deniliquin, New South Wales attracting around 20,000 people to celebrate all things Australian including the national icon of the ute.
Brothers Lachie Watt and Mitch Watt along with trade assistant Nicole Domenschz competed against three other teams to build a cubby house in six hours from provided timber and iron, which needed to fit on a trailer for transportation.
It had to be safe, sturdy, have no sharp edges and provide a safe place for kids to play as the finished product was to be donated to children impacted by domestic violence in the local area of Deniliquin.
Both Mitch and Miss Domenschz are from the South East while Lachie moved to Murray Bridge to pursue a carpentry apprenticeship several years ago.
Mitch signed the team up after seeing on the Deni Ute Muster Facebook page there was still one entry available in the CAT Tradie challenge.
“With Lachie being a carpenter, I thought why not put in an application to try our luck,” he said.
“Initially we were not chosen but the following day I received a call from the event organiser to ask if we were interested in being involved in the CAT Tradie Challenge.”
Mitch said it was not about the $2000 prize money, instead it was about having fun while being able to make a difference to a family in need.
“With Deniliquin being over a 12 hour round trip, the prize money will just about cover the cost of our diesel and the added accessories we sourced for the project,” he said.
“As a team we have a fair bit of experience under our belt with Lachie running his own business, Nicole working in agriculture where you have to be practical and myself working as a trade assistant for the past two years.
“We decided to build a Landcruiser Ute which we felt would be a point of difference as most people would think to build a standard cubby house.”
The team thanked their sponsors, including locals Cav Power, Noel Barr Toyota and Brandt.
