Bill and Thea both came to Australia in 1986 from Holland, to set up Aussie Drain P/L. Before 1986, Bill worked in the family business in Holland, which was established by his father in 1946. After being approached by Mr. John Mastenbroek, they were the first to import the Mastenbroek subsurface drainage machine to Australia. They began their first drainage job in the Heytesbury Settlement.

1987, meaningful coincidence had led them to attend a Salinity Conference in Bendigo. At this conference, they had a chance encounter with a grape grower, where discussions took place about how salinity was affecting the horticultural industry.

An opportunity had opened up for Bill and Thea to assist the grape grower to control salinity on his property through salinity control.

News had spread fast how efficient and effective subsurface drainage was to the horticultural and agricultural industry, and how Aussie Drain were the leaders in Salinity Control. Drainage prospects opened up for the both of them, and had led to many areas such as NSW, Griffith and Leeton.

Their Success had even reached their home town in Holland. A newspaper had written a story about a couple who were continuing the legacy of a drainer’s dream in another country. Bill’s father, was a very proud man.

After visiting Mr. Mastenbroek in 1988, they increased their machinery, by importing a different digging machine. By 1990, they had imported a sports field drainage machine, and landed a major opportunity to do drainage work for Optus Oval in Carlton. They were approached to do MCG, and many prestigious grounds and Race Tracks.