Most couples have to save a lot of money when they want to build their first home, but the majority of this home only cost  and a slab of beer!

Bob and Lyndell Neil bought their property 10 years ago in Gin Gin near Bundaberg in south-east Queensland. Whilst searching for a lost cow, Bob discovered a huge pile of hardwood logs consisting of blue gum, ironbark and spotty gum.



The timber was on crown land. His half-hearted offer of only  to the forestry department was accepted and he organised a truck to pick up the timber. A portable saw mill was the next item to appear on their property, ready for Bob to start building.




      

Together with a mate, Bob often spends a couple of days each month camped in an isolated paddock or forest, trimming and hauling the huge logs found in the bush. They travel up to several hundred kilometres to collect the timber.

The ironbark beams in the house came from a dismantled bridge. Left lying around by the Department of Main Roads in Gin Gin, Bob offered a slab of beer which was accepted and they brought the timber out to the property!

Despite this luck, new cyprus pine timber had to be bought in at a cost of to finish off the floors and ceilings. The timber windows were obtained from a local who needed some help in building a picket fence.

Bob discovered he had a passion for using recycled "bush" timber and started his own business, Slab Happy, making furniture and benches.