[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][b][size=3]WE DID IT![/size][/b][size=3] In a first for the SWRHC we have had 2 000 visitors, and lots more, in a calendar year. Great credit is due to all involved - if we didn't present a good "product" the visitors wouldn't come.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]So now to the 'Australind Goes Platinum". We needed 233 visitors to attend to reach our goal - the gates opened at 10am and a couple of minutes past 11 a young family of 4 walked through and one of them was number 233. Thanks to K Mart Bunbury we were able to reward them with a gift card so I imagine that Christmas in that household will be that little bit extra special this year. How Graham managed to keep count as the visitors swarmed in I don't know but his fingers and toes must have worked over time. But that is the quality and drive of all of our volunteers in the desire to put on a good show.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Opposite Graham at the model railway you could be mistaken for thinking you were at Myers Christmas Sale - there was not a square centimetre of space spare for a good hour or so. Harry, Garry, Bernie, Picko and Paul, a new recruit, kept the trains running however and were only too happy to tell visitors about the trains and how they built the layout. There was also a special guest on hand - thanks to John Rumming, the boys had an N scale (1:160 scale) model of today's Australind railcars running on the layout, emulating its big brother on the full size railway.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Just outside the entry building, Anne and Don had caps, courtesy of TransWA, and a special edition booklet telling the story of the Australind over its 70 year life for sale at bargain basement prices. We still have some of both left so you can pick one, or more, up at our next Open Day on December 17th.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Further down the track the blacksmiths were in full swing, having built up their strength by raiding the cakes before the gates were opened to the public and opposite them Heather, Evee and Carolyn worked like beavers in the Picnic Van to keep our guests fed and watered while Steven and Kelly were under some pressure at the barbecue as well to keep up the supply of sausages and onions - but in true SWRHC style they all kept pace with demand with quality food and service.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]At the old machinery shed Don was preparing for a quiet day - when I had asked him earlier if any old snorters and wheezers would be in action (I could have said here that they were all staying home but I resisted!) he had said no but it didn't take long before he was talked into getting one going, much to the delight of many visitors.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Our newly concreted floor in the machinery side of the roundhouse was also under pressure as people found it much easier to wander around the newly positioned displays relating to the agricultural history of the area and many positive comments were received about the tidiness of the area and our newly erected interpretive panels showing how the industries took the produce from seed to finished product.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]This area proved to be perfect for a display of an earlier version of the Australind, this time in Sn3.5 scale (1:64 of full size). Charles DeBruin had very kindly offered to bring his model of the original Serpentine station and surrounds and this was detailed with a number of typical trains from the mid 1960s, including a locomotive hauled Australind consist, loaned by members of AMRA WA's Sn3.5 group. Charles was assisted on the day by Bill and Jane and other members of the group made cameo appearances. If Charles had received $1 for every photo taken of the layout he would be a very rich man today. He still is, though, as he gets to drive full size trains too![/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]On the other side of the roundhouse John, Roy and Gary were inundated with people wanting to have a look at how rail travel used to be prior to the Australind and the 105-year-old "dog box" carriage under restoration was seldom without people in it and/or watching and asking about their restoration work.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Behind the roundhouse, Gordon and Harry manned the Men's Shed and they too had quite a few visitors checking out their "Taj Mahal", their fine array of just about every tool and machine on the market and their fine woodwork and metal work.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Unfortunately, the necessary permission to move rail vehicles did not come through in time so instead of bringing the Australind carriage and buffet car to the people we arranged to take the people to them. Thanks to Philippa and Peter (more about him soon!) tours of these with accompanying history were provided as an "extra" for our visitors.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Now to Peter - he is a current driver of the Australind and was quick to contact us when we first made mention of this day, offering photos, memorabilia and himself. On the day he was everywhere where something needed doing, helping with the tours and giving a talk on what it is like to drive the Australind. He also convinced a number of his railway mates to come along and we were delighted that he convinced one of the cabin crew to give the public an insight into her role and also a fitter from Picton who was a part of the team that maintained the railcars until this task was moved to Claisebrook.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]In the months leading up to this celebration we had been busy gathering material for various displays and on the day we had a display of all of the former station buildings along the South West railway except Venn (some 5 miles/8km north of Pinjarra and in the middle of nowhere such that it had been questioned why a station had been built there!), another showing the "old" Australind in many different iterations and the railcars in the various liveries they have worn and a third sharing memories from people who had travelled on the Australind in the past.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Many thanks to Harvey History Online, the Harvey Historical Society, the Waroona Historical Society, Don Finlayson and Jeff Austin for their assistance with the photos and information and to the folks who shared their stories both before and on the day.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]On the day we were also given several items for our collection and we thank the donors for their generosity.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]But not all of the day was centred on the SWRHC grounds. Our next-door neighbours, Meadowbrooke Lifestyle Village, hosted 2 exhibitions/competitions, one being the "Australind Art Array" for all government and private primary schools from Byford to Bridgetown and the other being the "Why I Love Where I Live" photographic event for Seniors. River Valley Primary School and Brunswick Primary School received $250 each for their efforts thanks to Meadowbrooke. For the Seniors, Stuart won the Judges' Choice and Chris the Public's Choice. Both received a double return pass on the Australind courtesy of TransWA, a night's accommodation courtesy of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Pan Pacific Hotel, dinner at Miss Maud's and complementary entry to the Bassendean Rail Museum courtesy of Rail Heritage WA.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Many thanks to members of the Capel Men's Shed, Old Machinery Group and Boyanup Foundation Blacksmiths for their help in getting the site set up for the Open Day and in the packing up.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][size=1] [/size][size=3]Our thanks are also extended to the Shire of Capel for its support which enabled us to publicise the event widely.[/size][/font][/size][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][font=arial, sans-serif] [size=3]And so to December's Open Day - please note that this will be held on the 3rd Sunday (the 17th) due to Christmas Eve being the 4th Sunday. Our theme for this day is "Training for Christmas" and provides the opportunity to escape the madness of shopping as we probably will have the perfect gift for your “Train Tragic" family member, friend or relative as well as non train ideas from the blacksmiths and Men's Shed. Or if you just want to have a peaceful wander down memory lane or somewhere for the kids to play and explore, the SWRHC could be the place for you.[/size][/font][/color][/justify]
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[justify][color=#222222][size=2][font=arial, sans-serif][center][size=3]For further information have a look at our facebook page [/size][/center][center][url=https://www.facebook.com/SouthWestRailandHeritageCentre/][color=#1155cc][size=3]https://www.facebook.com/SouthWestRailandHeritageCentre/[/size][/color][/url][/center][center][size=3], email us at [/size][/center][center][email=swrhc@railheritagewa.org.au][color=#1155cc][size=3]swrhc@railheritagewa.org.au[/size][/color][/email][/center][center][size=3] or call Norm on 0459 712 552.[/size][/center][/font][/size][/color][/justify]