Catchment Craftsman: the model-maker at work

Gary McGuigan with students from Kandos Public School demonstrating one of his small catchment models during the Waterland workshop series in 2022. Photo by Laura Fisher.  

It’s amazing to see an expert model-maker at work. Plumbing, carpentry, 3D printing and the skills of a stop-motion animation set maker all come into play, along with rigorous CAD design work. We are watching with great interest as Gary McGuigan begins constructing all the layers, inserts, bells and whistles we have squeezed into the design. 

Gary wants his models to be as interactive as possible, and to provide an authentic representation of how water flows through a spongey, hydrated landscape. They also need to withstand being poked by many tiny fingers! 

We can’t wait to see the next phase of construction, good on you Gary! 

This catchment model is part of the Citizen Science project ‘Modelling Landscape Rehydration for Catchments, Communities and Curriculum’, funded by the Australian Government. 

First, it starts with a plan and some 2D CAD design work.

Next is the 3D CAD design.

Then the segments are 3D printed.

The all-important hydration feature is installed.

The 3D model is built over the hydration unit.

All coming together.