Vallance Cottage will be celebrated in true pioneering style this month.

March marks the 30th anniversary since the cottage was saved from demolition, prompting the Central Otago District Council (CODC) to mark the occasion with a series of mudbrick-making workshops.

CODC property facilities officer Bex Snape said the series of workshops, which will be offered to 150 school children, aim to celebrate the building’s survival by showcasing and allowing people to appreciate how it was made.

“This will be a truly hands-on experience,” she said.

“We’ll be showing young people what goes into making a mudbrick, using similar materials and methods to Scottish gold miner William Vallance when he built his cottage in 1896.”

Bex, who is also part of the Vallance Cottage Working Group, said the workshops could get messy, so encouraged participants to wear an old shirt.

“There could be some mayhem, but it is guaranteed to be loads of fun, and educational as well.”

Central Otago REAP Enviroschools facilitator Lucy Francke is pleased so many children will get a chance to participate.

“Enviroschools is a holistic action-learning process, engaging young people in exploring their environment and participating in the life and development of their place,” she said.

“Learning in and about Vallance Cottage and earth building techniques is an engaging, hands-on experience for our tamariki to connect to our history and take action for their future.”

The working group has organised moulds in various sizes for the children to make the mudbricks during the week of March 18, leading up to Otago Anniversary Weekend.

Children are encouraged to take a shoe box with them to the workshop so they can take their mudbrick back to school to dry.

Bex said the idea for the mudbrick making workshop came about due to the ongoing maintenance that needs to be done to future-proof the cottage.

“It’s mostly made of the original mudbrick, and while it is a durable building material, it is vulnerable to certain climatic conditions, such as excessive damp, or the presence of water. 

“It is good to give children and the public an appreciation of what goes into conserving this type of building, and who knows, we may be breeding a whole generation of mudbrick makers who want to be involved in Vallance Cottage’s future.”

There will also be a public open day on Sunday, March 24, from 10am to 2pm.