About the Waterwheel ›
The pulse point of the Yarra Valley.
A volunteer-led visitor hub for the Yarra Valley — a bend in the river, and a community that is driven to get the wheel turning.
Warburton, autumn 2024
Our story
Run by the people who live here.
The Waterwheel sits on the main street in the centre of Warburton, a few steps from the Birrarung (Yarra River). The wheel out the front is a replica, built to mark the water wheels that once powered gold mines, saw mills, houses and businesses across this area. The story of the original is worth reading.
We are a not-for-profit, membership-based organisation. We receive no government funding and rely on local businesses and volunteers. Inside you’ll find tourist information, an artists’ gallery, an environment centre, and a shopfront for locally handmade goods — plus a starting point for almost every walk in the valley.
This page tells you who’s behind it. The rest of the site tells you what we’re up to.
The five pillars
Everything we do answers to one of these.
Adopted by the membership. The full strategy lives at /strategy.
01
Tourism & visitor welcome
One door, one map, one familiar voice. Information that’s actually current, from people who live here.
Pillar 01
02
Artisans & makers
A working shopfront for local makers — fair margins, plain pricing, no exclusivity clauses, ever.
Pillar 02
03
Heritage & story
The wheel, the river, the township — recorded honestly, including the parts that are uncomfortable.
Pillar 03
04
Environment & place
Living-nature programmes, sustainability targets, and Landcare partnerships up and down the valley.
Pillar 04
05
Community & gathering
The reason any of the others matter. Markets, screenings, working bees, a kettle that’s always on.
Pillar 05
The people behind the wheel.
Secretary
James
James Talbett, Warburton local and Waterwheel Hub Inc secretary, founded Docklands Athletic soccer club and is near the completion of a Masters in Computer Science.
Committee member
John
John Ridley has lived in Warburton since 1989. He has more than 30 years' experience advising clients on making their communications more effective. As principal of the Clifton Group, he helped clients work out which people mattered most to the success of their work, and build good relationships with them.
A law graduate, John has also worked in federal and local government and in politics. He was a councillor on the Upper Yarra Shire, chief of staff to Foreign Minister Andrew Peacock, and State Director of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party.
John has long experience on not-for-profit boards. He is on the board of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, has chaired the Australian Tapestry Workshop and Melbourne Forum, and served on the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board of Victoria.
Volunteer since May 2025
Vice President
Julie
I have worked in community – focused initiatives for much of my working life I am enthusiastic to see the Waterwheel thrive as a vibrant destination for tourists, local artists and hand-makers.
Volunteer since February 2026
Committee member, Volunteer coordinator
Maureen
Maureen is a dedicated local community leaders and Yarra Ranges 2025 citizen of the year, who founded and serves as president for Millgrove Residents Action Group.
President
Nicki
As President of Waterwheel Hub Inc., I’m passionate about building a vibrant, inclusive community hub that connects local people, artists, makers, visitors and businesses. I bring a strong focus on creativity, place, collaboration and practical community development, with a vision for the Waterwheel to be a welcoming gateway to the Upper Yarra.
My role is about helping shape the Waterwheel’s future while supporting our volunteers, celebrating local talent and creating a sustainable organisation that belongs to the whole community.
Treasurer
Rachael
Proudly employing 55 locals as a business owner with her husband Rachael has a strong community focus on the Waterwheel space for handmakers and tourism, previously serving as Treasurer for Warranyte Kindergarten.
The Volunteer Handbook
Our vision and values, how the Waterwheel runs day to day, and the standards we hold ourselves to — published openly for anyone curious about how the place works.
Download the Volunteer HandbookFour ways in ›
Stand a little closer to the wheel.
Build your own plan, visit on a weekend, become a member, or stand a shift.