About Us

Established in 1996, HunterNet Group Training is recognised by the Department of Education & Training (DET) as a Registered Group Training Organisation.

HunterNet employs apprentices and trainees. The apprentice or trainee is employed under a training contract with HunterNet, who then places them with a host employer.

As the primary and legal employer, HunterNet selects the apprentice/trainee with the host employer to ensure that they are suitable for placement.
HunterNet takes responsibility for all paperwork connected with wages, allowances, superannuation, workers’ compensation, sick/holiday pay and other employee entitlements leaving the host employer free
to run their business.
HunterNet acts as a consultant and trouble-shooter throughout the period of employment and training.
HunterNet also manages the additional care and support necessary to achieve the successful completionof the Training Contract.

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Board Members

Ivan Waterfield

Chairman

Director – On the Right Track Consultancy

Ivan holds a Master of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Management, a Mechanical Engineering Degree and a Tool Fitting trade qualification. Ivan has worked in the rail industry all of his working life, prior to his move to WesTrac. His work life has been spent in many countries across Europe, Asia and now Australia.
He commenced with Bombardier in the UK, then Alstom in 1996. He moved to Newcastle in 2005 to join United Group Rail, prior to commencing with Downer EDI Rail in March 2007. In October 2011 Ivan commenced with WesTrac to set up a new Business Unit to manufacture CAT products here in Newcastle.
Ivan has a keen interest in developing employment opportunities for the next generation of Apprentices, Engineers and Trades people. The opportunity to join WesTrac to bring Manufacturing back on shore under licence from CAT was an opportunity to good to miss.

Robert Walter

Deputy Chairman

Former Faculty Director - TAFE NSW Hunter Institute

Rob has lived and worked exclusively in Newcastle. After completing his Electrical apprenticeship with NESCA (now Ausgrid), he began training as a high school teacher at the University of Newcastle. After graduation and some additional years of working back in industry, Rob began a full time career as a teacher of Electrical Trades at TAFENSW-Hunter Institute in 1982 and later as Head Teacher of Electrical Trades at Glendale campus.
Rob’s current role in the Hunter Institute is Faculty Director of Industry & Natural Resources. He has responsibility for the quality of education and training to the Engineering, Manufacturing, Building, Transport, Rural, Electrical, Environmental and Mining industries in the Upper Hunter, Hunter and Central Coast.

Ross Bolth

Director

Director, Maxwell Engineering

Ross completed a Fitting & Machining apprenticeship followed by a year of Toolmaking.
After 25 years in the trade Ross began working for himself from home. Now, 23 years on Ross is the director of his highly successful company Maxwell Engineering with more than 20 full time employees.
Ross has been a member of Hunternet Cooperative since 1994 and a member of the Hunternet Group Training Company since its inception in 1997. So, between managing his business and his Hunternet Group Training Company duties, Ross still finds time to enjoy the finer things in life like riding with the boys on weekends and is an active member of the fund raising group “Harleys for Humanity”. Ross’s philosophy on life is …. Work hard, play hard.

Tony Cade

Director

Chief Executive Officer, HunterNet Co-Operative

In 2013, Tony Cade became the Chief Executive Officer of HunterNet Co-operative Limited, a Hunter based network of Engineering and Manufacturing companies and is responsible for the planning and management of the operations of the Network and its subsidiary, HunterNet Group Training Company. In this role, Tony is required to work closely with the network’s membership as well as industry, Government and professional bodies throughout the Hunter and Central Coast regions.
Prior to HunterNet, Tony held the position of Group General Manager, Veolia Environment and senior executive positions within WSN, the Hunter Waste Planning and Management Board, Newcastle City Council and BHP Steel.
Tony possesses strong leadership skills, a track record in developing and implementing business and strategic plans, has extensive experience in building business relationships, and is well connected with all three (3) tiers of government. Further, Tony has an extensive network of alliances and relationships with many charitable and community organisations.
Tony possesses tertiary qualifications in metallurgy and economics and has completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School (Boston), Wharton Business School (Pennsylvania), and IMD (Switzerland).

Wayne Green

Director

Head of Build Operations, UGL Rail

Wayne has been employed with UGL for thirty (30) years. During this time he has successfully demonstrated a record of managing Safety in the Workplace, Financial and Commercial requirements and obligations, Production, Supply Chain (including Warehousing), Planning and Quality Control on a wide variety of Manufacturing and Overhaul Projects with a strong focus on implementation of Lean Principles and of Change Management.
Wayne has valuable experience in Customer and Stakeholder Relations, as well as an advanced knowledge of Employee Relations, specifically Law of Employment, Enterprise Bargaining and Negotiation and Advocacy.
Having come through UGL, starting out as a Metal Fabricator has enabled Wayne to formulate relationships with colleagues and co-workers based upon integrity, trust and personal experience.

Breony Benson

Director

HR Superintendent - Glencore

Breony is an accomplished Human Resource professional with experience in generalist HR, employment relations, workers compensation and recruitment. Breony is currently employed as the National Human Resource Advisor for DYWIDAG-Systems International (DSI) looking after all areas of HR for their Australian business. Breony started her career in recruitment and worked in both agency and internal recruitment positions before moving into HR after completing her studies. Breony holds a Dip. Human Resource Management, Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and is currently in the final subject of her Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management.
Breony is a Certificated Professional (CAHRI) with the Australian Human Resources Institute and a Mentor in the AHRI mentoring program.

Eric Kreutzer

Director

Business Development Manager – Aurecon

Eric has over 30 years experience in the mining experience in the mining (Steeltley Industries and Anglo American) and consulting industries (CW Pope, ETRS, PearlStreet) including senior management of mining operations and consulting companies.
His consulting clients have included state and federal government, multinational mining companies and multinational oil and gas companies and public utilities in the power generation, water and ports sectors. Experience covers, general management, project management, market and business development and geological program supervision.