Meet the RIG Team
RIG flourishes through contributions from volunteers. Volunteer guides who staff our Boathouse and museum daily, showing visitors the rebuild of Independence, telling the story of the original. Volunteer boat builders who come to work on Independence, one or two days a week. Volunteers who help run fundraising events. And a Committee of volunteers who manage the organisation.
We will publish further information about our volunteers on this website, but for now, here is our management committee.
Tony Klieve:
RIG President
Greg Roberts:
RIG Vice President
Jasper Taylor has been involved with several community groups since retiring and moving to American River. He is RIG’s Secretary and Treasurer.
Rod Howard was introduced to wooden boatbuilding as a teenager but the desire to build a wooden boat was delayed by a career in Engineering and Management in heavy industrial settings. "Being part of the RIG is one of retirement's great pleasures."
David Churchill: Project Planner: Leaving Agricultural College and farming to become a British Paratrooper, David then emigrated. He worked in administration with First Nation people, then in tourism and finally to KI, starting a real estate agency. Now retired, he enjoys sailing and building Independence.
Irene Halley: Committee member
Tony Stockton, Boat Builder: "After visiting American River and discovering its beauty and hidden charms I decided to move here.
Most of my life has revolved around boats one way or another, which has seen me work in most aspects of the Marine Industry.
Gravitating to the RIG Project seemed a natural progression, where I have forged invaluable friendships and insights."
David Cowans has lived on Kangaroo Island since 2003. Moving from Sydney was supposed to be the first step on the road to a quieter life instead of which he joined the RIG committee. End of quiet life!
David Gillieson has lived at American River since 2017, and has a keen interest in the maritime history of Kangaroo Island. He coordinates the volunteer guides at the RIG Boatshed.