Guest Speaker - Gerry Laws, Secretary of the Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum Committee.
Gerry spoke of the preservation and promotion of tramways. In 1907 the first sawmill was built in the Rubicon Forest. 
The dependence on road transport proved unreliable in winter and in 1912 a two-foot gauge steel railed line from Rubicon to Alexandra was completed. Three small steam locomotives operated on the line until 1935, when due to the risk of fire, they were replaced with diesel engines. The Timber Tramway is a nationally accredited registered charity entirely operated by a small group of passionate volunteers. The lease with the Murrindindi Shire Council is currently being negotiated but it is expected that it will be handed back to the Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum Committee by the end of the year (after 14 years of negotiation!). The museum is open to the public twice a month and since 1986 has attracted approx. 80,000 visitors, who as well as enjoying a unique experience are also educated about local history. The goals of the group are to: improve the site, expand the network of track and secure funding to preserve the historical items. Funding is always a challenge, but the committee is confident of sustainability.
The dependence on road transport proved unreliable in winter and in 1912 a two-foot gauge steel railed line from Rubicon to Alexandra was completed. Three small steam locomotives operated on the line until 1935, when due to the risk of fire, they were replaced with diesel engines. The Timber Tramway is a nationally accredited registered charity entirely operated by a small group of passionate volunteers. The lease with the Murrindindi Shire Council is currently being negotiated but it is expected that it will be handed back to the Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum Committee by the end of the year (after 14 years of negotiation!). The museum is open to the public twice a month and since 1986 has attracted approx. 80,000 visitors, who as well as enjoying a unique experience are also educated about local history. The goals of the group are to: improve the site, expand the network of track and secure funding to preserve the historical items. Funding is always a challenge, but the committee is confident of sustainability.3 minuter David Anderson (in Tippy’s absence)
David showed a video of the English Corner program at Chiang Rai school in north-ern Thailand. Chiang Rai, the 3rd school where the EC project was introduced was slow to roll out the program but as evidenced by the video, has now embraced the program. Teddy bears which featured in the video were donated by Gaye Garlick of Yea.
David also spoke of ‘Ando’s Road Trip’ – he and Mark Anderson (Rotary Foundation Major Gifts Officer) are visiting a number of clubs in the district to provide Foundation information, including at the RC of Seymour dinner meeting of Monday July 29th Yea members are invited to attend the Royal Hotel Seymour, on the 29th for a ‘Christmas in July’ themed evening.
David showed a video of the English Corner program at Chiang Rai school in north-ern Thailand. Chiang Rai, the 3rd school where the EC project was introduced was slow to roll out the program but as evidenced by the video, has now embraced the program. Teddy bears which featured in the video were donated by Gaye Garlick of Yea.
David also spoke of ‘Ando’s Road Trip’ – he and Mark Anderson (Rotary Foundation Major Gifts Officer) are visiting a number of clubs in the district to provide Foundation information, including at the RC of Seymour dinner meeting of Monday July 29th Yea members are invited to attend the Royal Hotel Seymour, on the 29th for a ‘Christmas in July’ themed evening.
Hello members.
It was great to welcome members Bobby Dewar and Carol and Russell Hogg back from extended leave this week and I wish Past President Tony a short leave of absence as he is taking a well earned break. We have a busy few weeks ahead of us as the speakers’ calendar fills up and Yea Garden Expo draws closer. You’ll see the BBQ trailer out and about too as we are already booked in to cater for a Cruise Night in October, we’re planning another busy few week’ Breakfast and much more.
If you tune in to 106.9 FM on Mondays between 7 and 9 am, Kelly and I are going to be chatting about what’s happening for the upcoming week in Rotary.
Let me know what you think of the segment.
Cheers Penny
It was great to welcome members Bobby Dewar and Carol and Russell Hogg back from extended leave this week and I wish Past President Tony a short leave of absence as he is taking a well earned break. We have a busy few weeks ahead of us as the speakers’ calendar fills up and Yea Garden Expo draws closer. You’ll see the BBQ trailer out and about too as we are already booked in to cater for a Cruise Night in October, we’re planning another busy few week’ Breakfast and much more.
If you tune in to 106.9 FM on Mondays between 7 and 9 am, Kelly and I are going to be chatting about what’s happening for the upcoming week in Rotary.
Let me know what you think of the segment.
Cheers Penny
Thanks to Yea Cancer Charity for catering tonight