Page 3376 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 14 November 2007
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Annually, the museum opens its doors to the fire brigade, the SES and the federal police. These agencies utilise the museum and the workshop areas within the grounds for security exercises and training. Many times we have seen mock disaster zones be established, with the society providing free access for these occasions. This generosity is just one aspect of the society’s contribution to the Canberra region.
I have the pleasure of being in constant contact with numerous dedicated volunteers from the Railway Historical Society. Dedicated members Rainer Schulz and our own Lainie Loewe have supplied me with coalface information about the daily running of the museum. I have seen personally a visitors log of all who have passed through the museum. In this journal there is a clear diversity of people who have visited the museum. The museum regularly plays host to local and interstate visitors, as well as international guests from time to time. Stephen Elleman of Rhode Island, USA, visited the museum earlier this month and said what a great experience he had. Alan Winfield from Cambridge in the UK described the museum as “excellent”. Local visitor to the museum Ali Rangwalla commented positively about how informative her visit was to the museum. So, as you can see, it appears that all who visit the museum are thrilled with their experience.
Looking to the future, there is an ACTPLA-initiated railway master plan study underway and the consultants have had discussions with the society. A plan is underway to see the retention of the railway goods shed, hopefully integrating a new combined Canberra railway station and railway museum at the goods shed location. This would be a significant boost for the society as it is one of only two accredited rail operators in Canberra.
The ARHS has over the last 40 years contributed greatly not only to the preservation of important vintage pieces of our history but also to the Canberra community. I recognise and encourage others to realise the importance of this organisation and the benefit to the community it brings. With the necessary upgrade of the Kingston foreshore area and the upgrade to the railway grounds at Kingston, it may be necessary for the Railway Historical Society to relocate its workshop and museum facilities. I have held discussions with members of the historical society’s council.
A big concern for the society is their survival if they were required to relocate. The society are concerned that, should they be required to relocate, the financial burden on their volunteer society would cripple their operations and force the closure of the group. This would be a travesty. The dreams and efforts of all these hardworking Canberra volunteers would be lost. So in this motion I call on the ACT government to commit to assisting the ACT division of the Railway Historical Society by investigating the provision of financial assistance if a relocation of their premises is required. As a hardworking, committed volunteer organisation, they are unable to support themselves with extra funds should a required relocation go ahead. I also call on the ACT government to ensure the provision of land that would cater for all of the society’s needs should it be necessary for the society to be relocated.
The Railway Historical Society is one of those hardworking and committed groups of people who strive to achieve a high level of professional service that directly benefits
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