Ryan on a holy construction mission

A retired builder is using his lifelong skills to help restore historic and sacred church buildings in the Kimberley.

For the past seven years, John Ryan from South Belgrave, Victoria, has been travelling to the region as a volunteer to assist Bishop Christopher Saunders by repairing ageing properties in the Catholic Diocese of Broome.

The dedicated 74-year-old has travelled throughout the region including Kalumburu, Kununurra, Beagle Bay and Halls Creek to complete different projects from mending a damaged roof on a nun's residence to refurbishing a priest's house, and said he has enjoyed playing an active role in preserving historically significant buildings.

"I do it because I can, it keeps me going," he said.

"As long as I can walk I will keep coming up."

After retiring from his trade in 1984, Mr Ryan kept busy with odd jobs and repair work but soon found himself taking on bigger projects which involved buildings at risk of being demolished.

"I'm very passionate about (saving buildings)," he said.

The grandfather of 12 said he was a strong supporter and believer in putting in the hard yards to restore historic buildings, rather than pulling them down.

This year, Mr Ryan spent six weeks in the Kimberley repairing the priest's quarters in Lombadina with his friend Terry Maker, also from South Belgrave, who recently retired. Restorations included installing concrete footings and replacing veranda posts.

Mr Ryan said he had always been interested in the Lombadina mission and the heritage-listed church, which were symbolically significant to the community, and continued to attract many tourists and visitors each year. Despite his age, Mr Ryan said he had no plans to slow down and would continue to visit the Kimberley as a volunteer as long as he was able.

He is planning on returning to WA next year in the dry season.