Waipuian Peter Couper is a local. Born in Waipu with English and Scottish heritage, he isn't of Nova Scotian descendent - but that has not stopped him from being an invaluable member of the community - including a member of the board of the Waipu Museum for 13 years.
"I retired last year because it's important to introduce younger people on to the board," Peter said. "I was granted the status of an advisory trustee."
Hence, as an advisor to the museum and a practical man, who had farmed for his entire adult life (except a couple of years as a teacher), he was just the person to be asked about moving the old Masonic Hall from the RSA to the property behind the Waipu Presbyterian Church. His son Ken had become the new chairman of the board, had lots of confidence in his father and may have thought he needed a new project.
"In my ignorance, I said I thought it could be done," Peter said. "Then I thought perhaps I better take it on, having stuck my neck out. I became project manager of a team of men with an average age of 75. More than 20 people helped at different times ... some in their 50s and a couple over 80."
A lot of the work was heavier lifting than Peter expected and clearing out the gear stored there was a feat. Nevillel Rueve's carpentering experience ensured the sledge was correctly made. Twenty-metre logs were cut from Ken's farm. They were fresh and heavy and sat on 6 X 6 beams. The building, built in 1875, had to be lifted on to the sledge and moved under live electrical wires. A bullock team had moved it in 1923 but this time Ken roped in talented bulldozer driver Nelson Parker, house mover Ken Chambers and digger driver Paul Jenkins, all of whom provided their work and gear at very reasonable rates, if not for free.