On the 6th May 2025 Varley Group proudly handed over a very special donation — a custom-engineered gangway for one of the Hunter Region’s most treasured historic steamships – William the Fourth.
The gangway was engineered by our Defence team, led by Engineering Manager Richard Pope, and manufactured at our Carrington facility under the expert leadership of Nathan Hunter and Ross Wells — a valued member of the Varley Services team, who has contributed nearly 40 years of service to the Carrington operation.
A faithful replica of Australia’s first ocean-going paddlewheel steamship, William the Fourth was built on the banks of the Williams River at Raymond Terrace and launched by Hazel Hawke on 26 September 1987.
The ship was gifted to Newcastle as part of the 1988 Bicentenary celebrations, the vessel now resides at Newcastle Harbour, offering history cruises, morning and afternoon tea cruises, and private charters to share our region’s maritime story with the public.
The new gangway enhances safety and accessibility aboard the ship — a fitting addition to a project that has been brought to life through the dedication of volunteers, maritime specialists, and community supporters.
This donation reflects not only Varley’s engineering capability, but also our long-standing connection to the maritime industry — a legacy that began in Newcastle in 1886.
A sincere thank you to everyone at Varley involved in this very special community project, including Mario Rebellato, Nathan Hunter, Ross Wells, Ryan Pead, Ben Hogeboom and Richard Pope. Our thanks also extends to Bob Cook, the ship’s project lead and a long-time advocate for its restoration.
This is a proud example of local collaboration supporting our shared heritage.
Learn more about the history, and upcoming cruises aboard William the Fourth at:
William The Fourth Cruises | An unforgettable experience
Images: Varley Group donates a new gangway to historical ship – May 2025