About Us

Stephen Cull

Born and raised close to the shores of Lake Ontario, Stephen Cull led an active life until a tobogganing accident in 1991. After 38 days in intensive care and 11 months rehab he was confined to a wheelchair - immensely grateful to those who had brought him through his ordeal, and aware of how fortunate he was to have survived. In the summers that followed he would often sit by the side of the lake watching the hustle and bustle of life on and around the water, remembering the exhilaration of sailing, reflecting on the absence of people in wheelchairs, and wondering if it would ever change. Then he got to thinking, "Why not? Why couldn't people with disabilities experience the pleasures of boating?"

It was the glimmering of an idea that finally crystallized almost a year later in the summer of 2001 at a cottage in Muskoka where Stephen was staying with some friends, one of whom had a pontoon boat and a specially constructed dock, both wheelchair accessible. Stephen invited his 85 year old aunt along but she declined. Having sailed most of her life, she knew that you had to 'climb' into a boat and felt she was no longer able to do that comfortably. When Stephen mentioned that he would be 'rolling' onto the boat in his wheelchair her eyes lit up, "Count me in," she said. As the four unlikely shipmates were cruising on the lake the look of pleasure on his aunt's face got Stephen thinking about what it would take to provide the same opportunity for others.

Access to the harbour and the dock were key factors. So too was the location. It should be within easy traveling distance for as many people as possible. Then there was the boat itself. It would have to be barrier-free and fully equipped to handle the needs of people with disabilities so that they could enjoy the experience in safety and with dignity without having to go beyond their comfort zone. And so began Stephen's voyage of discovery.

Fred Oliver

Councillor Oliver has dedicated his life to bettering his community. His career began following his appointment to Police Chief for the Township of Trafalgar in 1948 where he retained his position through the amalgamation of the Township and the Town of Oakville. After the Region of Halton was formed, he continued his duties as the Deputy Police Chief until retiring in 1980 when he switched his focus to serving his community in different ways.

In 1980, he was elected as Regional and Town Councillor for the Town of Oakville and served as such until his departure from politics in 1994 when he moved to a country home in Havelock. But the call of politics was too strong to ignore and Councillor Oliver returned to Oakville and his elected position of Regional and Town Councillor in 2000 where he continues to serve today.

Councillor Oliver's many other interests have contributed to bettering his community. He founded the Town of Oakville Water Air Rescue Force (TOWARF) in 1954 and served as its commander for 16 years. He has also worked as president of the Police Chiefs Association and sat on the Police Services Board for six years. Councillor Oliver's interest in sports led him to serve as president of the Oakville Golf Club and as general chairman of the Canadian Open, where he has volunteered for 17 years. He has also served as president of the Oakville Senior "A" Hockey Club and is a 50-year member of the Lions Club, having served as their president and zone chairman. The boards at Sheridan College and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital have also been well served by Councillor Oliver.