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)
OUR COMMITTEE
- Janice Simpson | President
- Geoff Hooke | Vice President
- Maureen Welch | Secretary
- Des Boucher | Treasurer
- Steve Foskey | Committee
- Ken Stewart | Committee
- Greg James | Committee
- Steve Harrison | Committee
- Kate Couttie | Committee
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
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!
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!
- Council, Government & Fundraising – Janice Simpson
- Community Engagement & Events – Steve Foskey
- Marketing Communications – Greg James
- Member & Volunteer Engagement –
- Data Wrangling – Steve Harrison
About CMRT
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 Members Stories
A series of articles about the adventures of our members. Exploring rail trails and historical train travel.
Our Backers
You’ve got our back. We simply couldn’t do this without you. From Maryborough to Castlemaine and across Australia, we’re humbled by the support we’re receiving from the community, business and government.
Our Partners
Big projects need good friends. Friends who can help show the way and frame standards. Friends who help us walk just a little taller. Thank you to our partner organisations.
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
