Member’s Stories
A series of articles about the adventures of our members. Exploring rail trails and historical train travel.
The Riesling Trail: Interview with Steve and Sue Harrison
CMRT Committee member Steve Harrison and wife Sue had not been to the Clare Valley since 1989. They decided to go back and ride the 33km Riesling Trail from Clare to Auburn, and then on to the 22km Rattler Trail which continues south from Auburn along the same disused...
Family Memories of the Train Trip to Strangways
CMRT member Tim Cocking shares some family memories of the train service from 50 years ago. My Grandmother, Eleanor Pengelly, was the Post Mistress for the Strangways post office in the 1950’s, 60’s + 70’s. She made regular use of the train service to/from Newstead...
Trail Dreaming: the High Country and Tumbarumba
CMRT members are getting frisky about the growth of rail trails around the country – for fun and inspiration. CMRT members Ken and Jennie Stewart rode the High Country and the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trails in March. Greg James talks to the venturesome duo about the highlights.
Avant gardener: keeping up with Jennie Stewart
For CMRT volunteer, avant gardener and visual artist, Jennie Stewart, growing things is just what she does every day. John Carruthers managed to catch up with our energetic rep just long enough for a quick chat about her eclectic interests and CMRT’s fundraising challenge in 2024.
It’s time, says Tony Macer
On Australia Day Central Goldfields Shire recognised CMRT member Tony Macer as its Citizen of the Year. CMRT members know Tony as an amazing musicians and one of our most tireless volunteers. John Carruthers talks to Tony about community leadership, changing our national day and how the still waters can run deep.
All we want for Christmas
We’ll spare you Dasher, Dancer and Prancer. We’ll even skip that most downloaded Christmas pop song of all time…But only if you listen to our little Yuletide carol about volunteering…About making the next big leap to trail construction, and why we need more community talent. We hope that’s you!
Volunteer shout out 2022
CMRT President Janice Simpson gave a big thanks to our volunteers at our 2022 AGM last week. Special thanks to our regular project volunteers. We probably don’t do nearly enough to holler how much we’re grateful for what our volunteers do. But here are Janice’s accolades, as delivered and straight from the heart.
Springtime volunteer chortle
Blossoms are budding, the sun’s warming our backs, and we’re chortling our Springtime volunteer campaign. Two big roles that have recently opened up are Work Team Lead for Members & Volunteers, and a canny Grant Writer. There’s lots of other ways too you can help get the trail built sooner for your town.
New volunteer crop wows us
Thanks to some amazing Trail Blazers, we’ve boosted our core volunteer cohort by more than 70% in the past few months. We’ve been humbled by the talent and passion our new volunteers have brought with them. Great to welcome. Great to welcome our new women and men; and some smart young people.
Building a groundswell
Steve’s Foskey been involved with CMRT since 2020. Steve’s now a Newstead local. He’s also been a premiership centre half back. More recently Steve took on the lead for CMRT’s Community Engagement & Events Work Team. Steve talked to us about CMRT’s community ambassadors, and what stepping up means.