Stan Fretwell: Started dairy farming during the war covering for his father who was at War. Went into trade as a joiner/carpenter, then diversified into a wide range of engineering related trades including roofing; early innovator in the use of concrete blocks for building, and housing foundations.
Came to Whakatane in 1960. His father was born in Whakatane in 1892 and worked as a wheelwright and farrier before becoming a farmer. Stan wanted to be a farmer and worked as a “Teamster” in the beginning and moved on to building “mechanical horses” to pull equipment instead of having tractors. Joined AM Bisley a large Agricultural Engineering Company and then formed his own company- Stronghold Engineers. Made 850 metal spiral staircases for dairy factories etc.
Trained 2 sons and 1 daughter in engineering. Started with the Waterwheel concept in 1989 with a number of others including Bob Bennett. All were practical people with Stan having the necessary business experience. Stan maintains diaries of the work of the organisation carried out over many years and totalling more than 70,000 volunteer hours. Has had experience with Waterwheel training and developing 100 young people and getting them into further study, trades, and work. Wonderfully supported all these years by his wife, Phyllis.
Owen Rivers: Born in Palmerston North and brought up on a farm in Fielding. Ran a farm and repaired old machines. Moved up to Whakatane and continued to restore equipment. Then began using chainsaws and has a love of stationery engines. Has 3 daughters from his first marriage. Met Luzy who is a great cook and homemaker having previously run her own businesses. Began working with Stan in 1990 and also works for SCA. Loves the old stories that accompany the items and meeting the people who share their stories.
Phil Leaming: Grew up on a dairy farm. Loves machinery and spent 16 years as a Ford tradesman. Broke in a sheep farm and over time has gone into kiwifruit, goats, deer, sheep, and cattle. A vintage car enthusiast bought his wife a Standard “Flying 14” Vintage Car.
Neil Emmerson: Ex Gisborne boy who started as a Builder’s Labourer. Ex telecommunications background, a hands-on mechanic, building and collecting and currently Manager at BP Pongakawa. Involved with Waterwheel since the early days. Also has riggers ticket for rigging and scaffolding. Recently resigned as Trustee.
John Galbraith (Chairman): Recently joined Waterwheel to assist with planning and development of the Waterwheel Heritage Park. Ex King Country farming family near Piopio. Did Mechanical Engineering at Canterbury then forest engineering in Canada. Previously Manager of Whakatane Board Mills and then Chief Executive CHH Tasman Mill at Kawerau, involved in the restructuring of the Pulp and Paper mills into 2 separate Businesses. Works as a Forestry Consultant, Business Mentor, and General Consultancy. Has a strong interest in organisation, planning, and project liaison.
Lee Barton: Has been in Whakatane for 8 years. Ex Worcestershire, England. Has 2 children and lives in Edgecumbe. Employed by the Salvation Army Employment Plus as a “Youth Worker” providing work and community based opportunities, aimed at building skills and self esteem in our local youth. The Ministry of Youth Development funds his youth program, which is part of the Ministry Social Development. Lee has good networks and contacts across a range of local and national governmental departments. He has made previous successful funding applications and contributed to various local community projects. Lee has a passion for the theatre and live music having played a Yorkshire man in “Brassed off” recently and performs in a Celtic traditional folk band.
John Dixon: A Yorkshire man who came to NZ in 1974. Trained as a joiner and learnt other trades including bodging, coopering etc. Started in NZ in Oamaru, travelling to Twizel and eventually to the Kawerau Mill. Circumstances changed and he started a small company and then closed that and went to work at Mountain View Rest home where he met a lot of wonderful people and heard their stories. Met one of the oldest residents and then heard of Waterwheel and became involved more recently with Woodskills and Waterwheel. Currently a Tutor at the Tertiary Education Centre of the Kawerau College based in Liverpool Street working with youth at the non mainstream end of education. Enjoys passing on old skills and learning about them.
Phil Baldey (Consultant): After some heady years working alongside Eric Watson as Group Marketing Director of the Blue Star Group and being part of the team that saw the business grow from $4 million to $180 million in five years, Phil sold out just before his 30th birthday and ventured into consulting work dealing with high level strategic projects as well as developing as a mentor to people in their business and personal life. Phil is known as a visionary and strategist with broad industry knowledge and lots of life experience. Being both analytical and intuitive, he has the unique ability to get to the heart of the real ailments in business. Phil has had involvement with The Waterwheel since 2001. His focus is to see the dream of those who founded the idea become a reality. Phil strongly believes in the benefits economically, socially, and culturally that will be derived from the many facets of Waterwheel Heritage Park.
Helen Stewart (Secretary/Treasurer): A generalist with a range of networks and interested in developing the Waterwheel Concept. Sees good economic, social, and community development opportunities and long term benefits to the Eastern Bay and Kawerau in particular. Enjoying her involvement with the Waterwheel Project.
Gareth Moore-Jones (Consultant): An ex Pom who came to NZ 30 years ago. Works as a Leisure, Planning, and Sports Consultant for an Australasian company. Brought in by Kawerau District Council to help with the Lease and Land Management Plan for KDC and the Waterwheel project. Works with Department of Conservation (DOC) and other agencies involved with future planning requirements. Has land/reserve management expertise.
