Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc

C.M.R.T. Inc was founded to transform the 55km Castlemaine to Maryborough disused rail corridor into a world-class recreational trail. A trail that can be used by cyclists, walkers and horse-riders of all ages and abilities

Our Purpose

We want to connect communities, defend safe travel, encourage prosperity, look after the bush and tell amazing stories of place and people. We use grassroots action to inspire communities and spur governments to lead the charge to establish a new trail in Central Victoria. Our community outreach aims to rally people of all ages and backgrounds behind the idea of a trail. To build a trail, we need to build a movement.

Connecting communities

“From little things, big things grow.”
– Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody

Members, volunteers, supporters and friends. We are many, with one goal: to connect our communities along the proposed trail corridor.

OUR  Members

Being a member lets you shape the direction of our association. Plus the pride in making a difference. Membership comes with expectations too. We want our members to be actively involved. We’d love you to volunteer or donate to help us campaign for you.

Membership helps you shape a path to our trail. And if you can volunteer – or donate – you can have an even bigger impact.

 

  • get really involved
  • keep us strong
  • have your say
  • exercise your vote
  • special member events

  • become a volunteer (we hope)

Want to become a member? Or renew your membership?

Join / Renew Today

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Special thanks to all our volunteers. You keep us going! Thank you to our regular volunteers who support our Work Teams – by building our campaigns advancing our Projects or serving as Community Ambassadors – and who step forward for our elected Committee. Thanks too to our casual volunteers for helping out at events and spreading the word. We love you!

Regular volunteers

Garis Alexander, Des Boucher, Fred Cahir, John Carruthers, Tim Cocking, Kate Couttie, Bob Forde, Steve Foskey, Briele Hansen, Sandy Harman, Steve Harrisson, Geoff Hooke, Greg

Volunteer with us

James, Frank Kinnersley, Deb Macer, Owen Macer, Tony Macer, James Mack, Robin Murdoch, Jill Pattinson, Ken Stewart, Jennie Stewart, Scott Rossiter, Janice Simpson, David Tuck, Paul van der Wal, Peter Watts

Casual volunteers

Judith Barnard, Rainer Beilharz, Christine Christie, Diane Daniell, Mick Evans, Ann Ferguson, Paul Hampton, Maddie Harrop, Grace La Vella, Giuliano Marcon, Dean McLaren, Colin Moore, Geoff Park, Paul Roberts, Nicki Renfrey, Amber Robinson, David Schloeffel, Janet Schloeffel, Jo Smith 

OUR work teams

We’re all about “getting things done” at CMRT. More than 80% of what our volunteers do – and 100% of our community impact – gets achieved in our work teams. We’re organised into six work teams – each with a team lead (or two) to keep things rocking. Got a talent? Good with people and projects? Like taking responsibility? We’d love to hear from you!

Volunteer with us
  • Council, Government & Fundraising – Janice Simpson
  • Community Engagement & Events – Steve Foskey
  • Marketing Communications – Greg James
  • Member & Volunteer Engagement – Ian Lillington
  • Data Wrangling – Steve Harrison

OUR COMMITTEE

  • Janice Simpson | President
  • Vacant | Vice President
  • Geoff Hooke | Secretary
  • Des Boucher | Treasurer

Thank you to John Carruthers, Sandy Harman and Bob Forde for their extended service and who retired during 2023, Bronwen Machin during 2022, and Mark Brown, Christine Christie, Lou Citroen, and Mick Evans during 2021

become a member
  • Steve Foskey | Committee
  • Ken Stewart | Committee
  • Greg James | Committee
  • Steve Harrison  | Committee

Our Community Ambassadors

Our community ambassadors are having an impact in loads of places. From Maryborough to Yapeen. From Castlemaine to Newstead. We are connecting communities along the trail path in a new way and bring us closer together than ever before. We want each of our communities to have an “ambassador”. Someone who can encourage grassroots participation and liaise with local groups and businesses to create support and enthusiasm for the trail. Think that’s you? Get in touch!

  • Barkers Creek & Harcourt – this could be you!
  • Campbells Creek – Owen Macer
  • Carisbrook – this could be you!
  • Castlemaine – Sandy Harman
  • Chewton – Ken Stewart
  • Guildford – Bob Forde
  • Maryborough – Deb Macer
  • Moolort – this could be you!
  • Newstead – Greg James
  • Strangways – Tim Cocking
  • Yapeen – Jill Pattinson
  • Volunteer Ambassador – Deb Macer