Past and Present Oakleys
Oakley Family History-Five Generations of Growing
John Oakley - Great Great Grandfather
William Henry Oakley – Great-Grandfather, Foreman on Waimakariri River Stop bank Project, originally only 20 acres farmed. Farmed 50 acres and leased the balance of the farm that the family owns now. Grew potatoes commercially with oats and wheat. Retired 1947.
Walter Mark William Oakley – Grandfather, Farmed with his father until 26 years of age and bought his first farm at Hororata in 1934. Also he leased land off neighbouring farms to grow potatoes commercially. He soon purchased land previously leased by his father. Walter farmed together with his wife Rose Oakley, who is now over 9o years old and has retired in Gore. Walter was an inventor of revolutionary farm equipment. He died in 1995. The farm is now owned and operated by Grandson, Michael Oakley.
Graeme William Oakley – Father, Bought the first titles of the Halkett Farm in 1957. In 1961 the balance of the farm was freehold. He worked together with his father until the early 1980’s on the Horoata and Halkett farms. Diversified into barley, fodder, beet, seed potatoes, red clover for hay, and developed irrigation on the whole farm by mid 1960s. Graeme worked together until five years ago in Halkett with his wife Dorothy. They were also helped in the past by Robin in holidays and weekends. Graeme sold the farm in 2006 and oversees the potato enterprise for Oakley's.
He retired in 2010 and still lives on Walters old farm in Halkett. He provides a valuable source of knowledge as mentor for Robin and physical support. He was a keen Scout Leader since 1953 and is Patron of West Melton Scout Group. He is still involved with rifle shooting in Halkett. Graemes years of farming skills and expertise has been a great source of inspiration for Robin. He now travels often and persues his other interests such as tramping, golf and rifle shooting.
Above, Graeme and Dorothy Oakley in Rarotonga, and Graeme in the potato padock.
Mother, Dorothy Oakley, Dorothy was a great support on the farm in the early years and very active person in the rural community. Elected to the Selwyn Community Board for nine years, Chaiman for three years . Dorothy served on the Rural Women NZ National Board for ten years, as Vice President . She was Chairman of he Sewlyn Central Community Care, and in 1993 was awarded the Q.S.M. ( Queens Service Medal) for her services to the Rural Community. In 1994 she was appointed as a Justice of the Peace and was a Marriage Celebrant. Dorothy was also appointed a member of the Canterbury Community Trust Board in 2009. Sadly Dorothy Oakley recently died of breast cancer in January 2011 and is survived by her husband Graeme, five children, and 11 Grandchildren.
Brother, Michael Oakley lives in Horoata Canterbury and farms cattle and sheep, and is also growing various crops and vegetables. He is prominent in hot air ballooning , ( where he is sponsored by vegetables.co.nz), and also he is also very successful in the competition gliding and ballooning world.
See web link below from Christchurch Press on Michael Oakley Febuary 2008 http://www.stuff.co.nz/4382777a3600.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsMM-fgQjqI Click this site for a youtube video of Michael flying his glider over Mt Hutt
BELOW, Top left, Walter Mark Oakley, planting potatoes 1934.Top right, George Green and Archie Oliver, employees of Walter Mark Oakley, 1933, planting potatoes with a Farmhall F12 Tractor.
Bottom left, George Green and Archie Oliver planting potatoes 1935 with 2 row planted built by Walker Mark Oakley. He joined two single row planted together.
Bottom right, Walter Mark Oakley driving tractor with employees, using a pre 1924 truck. Planting potatoes 1935.
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Robin Oakley
Oakleys Premium Fresh Vegetables was established by Robin Oakley in 1985 at the age of 15 while still in Form five at Darfield Primary School . He was following in the farming footsteps of his father Graeme who grew potatoes. Robin was then involved with farming, Scouting and tramping. He remembers life as a very young child planting vegetables for the family and helping out on the harvester in the holidays for pocket money.
Robin first started growing and selling a more diverse range of vegetables as a sole trader, first at the stall at the farm gate, and then for the local Markets from the family farm at Halkett in Canterbury. He also used surrounding leased farm land in the Courtenay area. Robin is a 5th generation vegetable grower in Canterbury. He decided to diversify to grow other vegetables and sell them under his own name. Over the next few years Robin's productivity increased due to the demand of his 'premium fresh vegetables.' In 2002 Oakleys Premium Fresh Vegetables was incorporated as a Company , then production and staff levels increased. The decision was made to move the business and his family from Halkett to the area of Southbridge in Ellesmere , (some 60km away). This was also due to an impending shortage of suitable irrigated land in the Halkett -Darfield area, and requirements to extend the broccoli season further into the winter.
Robin and Shirleen shifted the majority of the business to the Southbridge area in 2000-2001. The soil typs in this area are suited to growing crops all year round.Oakley's Premium Fresh Vegetables is still a locally owned business (by Robin and Shirleen), employing about 35 staff. Often needing more casual labour at busy harvest times. Many being local people and some Christchurch staff who come out daily. We operate from our new facilities in Southbridge built in 2006. Robin lives in Christchurch with his wife Shirleen, and their two young daughters, Rose and April. He enjoys working near the Rakaia Huts where he fishes, kayaks, and jet skiis in Lake Ellesmere, all within minutes of work. This makes for a great work/life balance.
Robin has had the priviledge of travelling to other countries with Shirleen to see different growing operations , and attend various Vegetable Conferences, to France, U.S.A., Holland, Australia, UK, etc. Some of these growing practices and ideas he copies and brings this experience back into the Oakley's business. He is always looking for new improved ideas to make the product better. He is active in sponsorship for many local communities groups and likes to employ local contractors and staff. As well as Managing the Company, Robin is busy with the children's activities, is a keen multi sportsman, and a big Canterbury and All Black rugby supporter. He enjoys kyaking, biking, all water sports, snow boarding , gardening, travelling, golf......etc. AND just loves growing vegetables. Most days he is found in the office or yard and out in the paddock keeping a 'hands on' role. He enjoys adventure bike tours in other countries and jet skiing in the Summer.
Vegetable growing is not just a business for Robin, but a life long passion.
His motto is ''Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life'.''
Left, Robin at pumpkin harvest time Middle, Robin planting by hand on the Halkett family farm in the 1970's. Right, Robin and Graeme, 2010
Robin’s Story…………………………………….
(Extract from Christchurch Press interview 2001).
“I had a keen interest in growing vegetables and after winning awards at the local school, Halkett Primary , school’s garden competitions .........my Father then offered me the opportunity to use one of our farm paddocks to grow vegetables commercially by phone orders. At age fifteen when I was in the fifth form, I was growing certified seed potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet corn and pumpkin for local sales. I sold produce from a roadside stall , selling to neighbours and the local community.I left school at fifteen to work on the family farm and also to pursue and develop further in my vegetable growing interests. At this time we had no specialised machinery for any of the new vegetable crops , so all work was done by hand. I was able to use my fathers machinery in exchange for my labour on his potato farm. At this stage of my business enterprise, I had identified vegetable cropping as a good option due to the following factors; More intensive use of land requiring less area, irrigation, low capital initially, (as I could provide the labour) , 4 – 5 months return on capital, and I could pay for land and machinery in exchange for labour.By 1985 I was leasing an area of approximately 15 acres off my father and growing cauliflower and cabbage for winter production, pumpkin, sweet corn and seed potatoes. With the exception of seed potatoes that were sold to merchants, approximately 25% of my production were sold at local produce markets through Turners & Growers. I transported this personally on Dad’s Landrover, leaving home at 5am in the morning.”
Pictured above , Shirleen and Robin at the packhouse opening
Shirleen Oakley
Shirleen is busy with their two girls Rose and April and enjoys working alongside Robin in the business as Company Director . She has been involved in the adminstration of Oakleys Premium Fresh Vegetables since 1992. She was instrumental in setting up their new Southbridge administration facilities. Within the Oakley's business Shirleen deals with Public Relations, helps Dawn with the administration functions, organises the catering, set up and administrates the website and new company newsletter, organises social activities, and supports Robin in his role as Managing Director . She also oversees all the sponsorship opportunities Oakley's are involved with.
Shirleen divides her time between her family and Look Good Feel Better, a charity she has been with since 1992. This is her passion, as Look Good Feel Better provides beauty workshops for all women suffering from cancer and provide confidence building classes and beauty workshops to counteract the side effects of cancer treatment. This is a free community service which Shirleen has built up in Canterbury . She is the workshop co ordinator for Christchurch, Timaru and the West Coast. And Shirleen is busy following after school committments with the children, while supporting local activities and caring for their two teenage girls .
Shirleen and Robin live in Christchurh, as they moved recently to be near the girls high school. As well as supporting Robin with all of his sporting activities , she is interested in marketing, public relations work, movies, reading, shopping, travelling , jet skiing and really loves working with Robin within their business.
Shirleen often loves to travel with Robin. They have travelled through USA, Asia, Europe , Australia, and Pacific countries. In 2010 they attended the Asia Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Logistica in Hong Kong to promote our vegetable products to the Asian market in September 2010. In June 2011 they completed a bike and bus tour through Spain , Italy and France.................now thats Adventure Vegetables!!
Shirleen Oakley
Shirleen Oakley
Look Good Feel Better .... (Christchurch, Timaru and Greymouth Tutor) Shirleen Oakley was one of the original Look Good Feel Better volunteers in Christchurch when the programme started in 1992. At this time, she was working for Shiseido as a beauty tutor. Having also spent time working for Elizabeth Arden and Estee Lauder, Shirleen has an impressive history in the cosmetics industry. Today, Shirleen lives with her husband and their two daughters, and owns a large vegetable growing and distribution company in Southbridge, near Christchurch. “Since we started conducting workshops in Christchurch, we have expanded into Timaru and the West Coast. I absolutely love my hands on role with the charity. I really enjoy the special relationship we have with the ladies who come through the workshops. It’s a priviledge to help them see their potential, and build their self-esteem during a very difficult time in their lives”. Having always enjoyed working with make up, Shirleen continues to be involved with weddings, functions, theatre productions, balls and private tuition. In between her passion for make up and work for Look Good Feel Better, Shirleen loves to read, cook, travel, go to the movies, and spend time with her friends and family.
See web site www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.nz
Right, Robin and family, first year growing in Southbridge 2000
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