Pat Gillet (nee Swap) was the first female turner employed by New Zealand Insulators. In 1936 with the war effort underway and the men of Temuka at war, women were employed to carry on the work. Pat toured the factory before her 92nd birthday. Chris van der Werff told Pat that we always enjoy having previous staff members back and appreciated the effort she had made to come in.
GM Chris van der Werff looks for a photo of Pat in the Canteen
At work in 1936
Viewing work on the "Carousel" (Automated Insulator Machine)
Pat meets Janelle (Team Leader on the Turning Line)
Checking the quality of todays production
Looking through Temuka Pottery
At the end of the tour, Pat was presented with a Temuka Pottery Sushi Plate
