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11 March 2026
Building model ships requires patience, intense focus, a calm demeanour and a lot of spare time – particularly when it has more than 1000 pieces
Imagine having 20 to 25 hours a week to spend on model making. Not many people have the quiet, solitary hours where it’s just you and hundreds of miniature pieces of wood, intricate brass bits and endless lengths of string. But one man with years on his hands in Goulburn tested himself and discovered he did possess the precision, steady hands, sharp eyes and definitely the time to assemble a 1:65 scale version of one of the largest warships ever built – a ship that met an unfortunate end in real life.
This is the story of an inmate, a meticulously crafted model ship, and the children who will ultimately benefit from his patience and dedication.
The Vasa was a Swedish warship constructed between 1626 and 1628. It sank on its maiden voyage - just 1.3 kilometres from the dock - when a strong gust caught its sails and the top‑heavy vessel capsized in Stockholm harbour. Intended as a grand demonstration of King Gustavus Adolphus’s naval might, it instead became a tale of ambition over balance.
For Charlie*, the Vasa means something very different. Unlike the Swedish king’s vanity project, this ship represents accountability, purpose, and the chance to give something back.
“There aren’t many opportunities for us to give back in here,” Charlie said.
“This is the second model I’ve built. I started doing these so I could contribute to something. I want the money raised from selling this one to go to the Starlight Foundation. I used to get counselling when I was young, and the Starlight kids’ rooms helped me.”
A few years ago, Charlie completed a model of the Endeavour and donated it to the Corrective Services NSW Museum in Cooma to be sold, with proceeds going to Westmead Children’s Hospital. That kit was a gift. This time, he spent $750 of his own money, and 18 months of his time, to bring the Vasa to life.
And he didn’t do it entirely alone.
“There’s been a couple of other boys who’ve given me a hand,” he said.
“Sometimes I get them to help with painting the cannons or the small carvings on the ship.”
Each component starts in its raw state. The model kit comes with plain wood, brass pieces for cannons and other adornments, and undyed string for the rigging. Every piece needs painting, shaping and coaxing into place. And when your only tools are nail clippers and paper clips, creativity becomes essential.
“I had to steam‑bend some of the wood panels with the jug,” Charlie explained.
“I saw it on a TV show. They used steam to bend the wood over a long time, but I just hit it with the steam from the jug. It loosens the fibres, and then I hold it until it cools so I can get the natural curve.”
Charlie had never set foot on a boat, never worked with wood, and knew nothing about rigging or naval history. What he did have was patience, and a willingness to learn new skills and new behaviours. As he worked on the model, he also experienced the feelings of pride that come from giving back and the sense of calm that comes from doing something selfless.
“And the boys who have been helping me along the way, they know what it's for. So, they like to pitch in,” he said.
“It gives them a good feeling out of it, too. A lot of boys in here, give them the opportunity to do something to make amends, they'll do it.”
Rehabilitation comes in many forms across NSW correctional centres. It can involve programs that address past behaviour and trauma, creative therapies such as music and art, behavioural change workshops, one‑on‑one counselling or groupwork, and intensive drug or alcohol treatment.
For Charlie, rehabilitation has looked a little different. It has come through ship building, where creating large‑scale, intricate models gives him time to think, a sense of accomplishment, and the chance to donate his work to charity. With the full support of the Governor at Goulburn Correctional Centre and help from officers and staff who assisted where they could - including printing reference photos of the real ship - the project also gave him space to learn about himself and imagine a more positive future.
He knows he can’t change the past, but building the ship gave him a way to feel like he was doing something worthwhile with his time and kept his mind off the chaos around him. He doesn’t want praise for it; the work itself kept him calmer, helped him grow up a bit, and, as he put it, was simply good for his soul.
*Name changed