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IPSWICH HERITAGE MODEL RAILWAY CLUB
(WebNews #1)

A new club for model railway enthusiasts has come into existence in southeast Queensland.

The new club was born out of a meeting of interested enthusiasts, which was held in December of 1999 at the historic Ipswich Railway Workshops site.

The initial meeting was attended by approximately 50 interested modelling enthusiasts, who deemed that a model railway club had been absent from the Ipswich area for far too many years. Especially considering that Ipswich, and its environs, was the birthplace of railways in Queensland.

During this meeting a steering committee was elected to represent the club during negotiations to obtain premises, and until the club settled into the new premises with members getting to know each other better. Then a permanent executive committee would be elected to take over the running of the club.
 

The second meeting, held at Ipswich Workshops, on Sunday, 20 February 2000, was well attended. A newsletter had been produced, which is to be a semi-regular feature. Members, along with their much cared for layouts, had been well represented during a railway themed art display at the Ipswich Global Arts Link complex on 20^th February. This had been our first public commitment from the club.

During our second meeting it was decided that our club name would officially be the Ipswich Heritage Model Railway Club, and that the club would be open to enthusiasts of all ages, sex, and devotees of all gauges and scales, without discrimination. This would be a club where there would be a section to cater to each and every model railway enthusiast.

On a request from among our members, it was decided to support a model railway display to be held to aid an Ipswich mother who needs financial support to take her young child to America for necessary surgery. This display will take place on 6^th May at Brassall Shopping Village, and all are welcome.

A club logo will be sought and a competition is currently underway to select a logo from amongst those put forward from the members.

   Our third meeting was held at Ipswich Workshops on Sunday, 26 March, and was also well attended. During this meeting it was decided that a membership list, along with contact details and gauge/scale preferences, would be produced and circulated to the members.

   Visits to model railway clubs in the Brisbane metropolitan area are to be investigated, to give us an insight and information to aid us in setting up our own club.

   At all our meetings, members have been proactive in bringing along layouts and rolling stock for the benefit and information of all who attend, and down the track further, information sessions and seminars will be arranged for the members to gain an insight into the different aspects of the model railway hobby.

   Our club is new, our future prospects are exciting, and the possibilities for advancing and developing our club are enormous. We are looking forward to the future with enthusiasm and the knowledge that our plans must be both flexible and dynamic.

   We welcome visitors from other clubs, persons interested in taking up the hobby, and anyone who feels that they would like to come to our meetings. Our next club meeting will take place at 2p.m. on Sunday, 16 April at the Queensland Railway Institute hall, North Street, North Ipswich ( at the Ipswich Railway Workshops site). Unless otherwise arranged meetings take place on the third Sunday of each month.