When asking the question, 'What did you do in lockdown?', boat building is not the first answer you would would expect.
However, that is precisely what Packenham retirement village resident Colin West has been up to during the recent restrictions.
Colin, who moved into RCA's Main St Village with his wife Shirley two years ago, built a fully operational two-and-a-half meter model of a PT-109.
The patrol torpedo boat is replica of the one last commanded by President John F. Kennedy when he was a lieutenant in the Pacific during World War II. His actions to save his surviving crew after the sinking of PT-109 made him a war hero.
"It will plow along with an electric motor at 4.5revs and a 30 amp battery that will run for 10 hours," said Colin.
He has been interested in boats for most of his life; his father was in the British Navy and then joined the Australian Navy after the war. His passion for building scaled down boats started years ago during his recovery from a bad car accident.
"I was bored and restless then Shirley bought me a kit to make a model of the Cutty Sark and I was hooked. I've also built a model of the Royal Yacht Britannia," he said.
Prior to moving to the village, Colin was member of Tarwin Lower Venus Bay Men's Shed, also serving as treasurer for the group.
He is planning to take The PT-109 to the Men's Shed. "Some of the local kids might put their devices down and get some enjoyment from seeing what you can do if you set your mind to it," he said.
He said having a project helped a lot during lockdown. While originally missing the open space of his previous home on 112 acres, he now has the back garden set up with fruit trees and it feels like home.
"I've got everything sorted. Our villa faces the street and people stop and say hello as they walk past going down to the shops."
Working on the PT-109 in the garage created a talking point with many of his fellow residents as they took their daily walk around the village during Stage 3 restrictions. "I bought three chairs so they could sit and have a chat; I was amazed at how many people were interested in it."
Next boat project is a Mississippi River paddle steamer - wheel and all. The timber is being organised by the Men's Shed, where he still has many good friends.
But a special project closer to home is what Colin will apply his talent to next. "When Shirley's parents came out from England, they brought an old cabin trunk with them. It's one of her most precious memories of them, I'm going to refurbish that for her."
