Lights turn on at Waterwheel Historic Trust’s new home with support from Trust Horizon
The lights have recently been switched on for the first time at Waterwheel Historic Trust’s brand new home, thanks to a $10,800 grant from Trust Horizon.
The Waterwheel project first began in 1990, led by a small group of passionate locals seeking to preserve the Eastern Bay’s farming and industrial heritage. The organisation became a Charitable Trust in 2016. Today, the Waterwheel Historic Trust (‘The Waterwheel’) has grown to almost 40 members – all dedicated to restoring historic machinery, vehicles, and equipment back to working order.
The Waterwheel is home to a huge range of machinery, representing New Zealand’s rich farming and agricultural history. The collection includes trucks and tractors, potato seeders and hay balers, an historic fire engine, and even a sheep shearing machine over a century old.
Finding a place to store and work on this vast range of machinery has long proven a challenge. The Waterwheel was originally based out of the home of founding trustee, Stan Fretwell. However by the early 2000s, the Fretwells were ready to have their home back, and a new space was needed.
After a number of years spent without a fixed base, in 2021 a group of volunteers banded together to find The Waterwheel a permanent home.
“It’s so important to have an understanding of our past, and to see how far we’ve come since our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents’ time,” says Stephanie Bull, Waterwheel Historic Trust Co-Chair. “With our own home, we hoped to be able to do more events, draw in more members, and share with the wider public how things used to be done.”
After a Waterwheel member donated the lease of some land, plans began to build two sheds on the section. “We had two funders for the sheds, but after consent and weather issues the costs grew,” says Bull. “We started looking for funding, and Trust Horizon was kind enough to help us with the electrical fit-out.”
Now almost complete, The Waterwheel’s new home features a workshop, office/kitchen area, bathrooms, and a museum space. “We turned the lights on for the first time the other day, and that was a lovely moment.”
Trust Horizon Deputy Chairperson, David Bulley, says The Waterwheel’s work aligns with the Trust’s own vision for the Eastern Bay. “We believe in creating proud communities, and The Waterwheel’s new hub will be a place where people can come together, learn, and take pride in our shared agricultural history.”
Stephanie Bull and the Waterwheel Historic Trust’s members look forward to the new opportunities the new premises will bring. “Right now visits are by appointment only, but we plan to open the museum to the public three days a week. We’d also like to run workshops for young people, and host more events that showcase our machinery.”
The Waterwheel is hoping to host an opening event in mid-January. “We’re very appreciative of Trust Horizon for helping us with our electrical fitout,” says Bull. “We look forward to thanking them, and all the members of the community who have helped throughout the process, at our opening early next year.”
If you want to apply for funding from Trust Horizon, look at our funding page here for more information on what we fund and how to access funding.