Big little train proposal for Bannockburn

WITH a father that worked on the railways for five decades, Brian Gray has a passion for trains that runs through his bloodline.

Six years ago, he was coordinating a miniature railway in Portarlington, but keen on exploring another locomotive venture, he handed it over to a separate non-profit group.

“I then formed the Geelong Family Park and Miniature Railway Association in November of 2016, deciding to look for land for a new miniature railway,” he said.

“We approached the Golden Plains Shire, meeting with Nathan Hansford, who showed me a few sites. When we came into Bannockburn, we saw a site five minutes’ walk from the township, and we thought, that’d be perfect.”

GFPMRA is now in conversations with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to obtain a lease or licence for this land they loved; the 10-acre Bannockburn Public Purposes Reserve, running parallel to the very fitting Railway Terrace.

Mr Gray, association president, said the Bannockburn area was a preferable place for a Miniature Railway and Family Park because they could establish a children’s and tourist activity in a market where those opportunities are limited.

He also emphasised that GFPMRA are merely sowing seeds, with a goal for the Bannockburn community to own and drive the project with the association, right through the railway’s planning, development and operational stages.

“The township, local businesses and tradespeople can get behind us as members, donate their time or materials,” Mr Gray said.

“It will be a community hub in time. We’ll have a workshop so we can build locomotives and fabricate track on site.

“Once a month on a weekend, tradesman could take on a local young person as a trade assistant, teaching them new skills in fabrication, welding, engineering, boiler-making and spray painting. They might find a new apprentice.”

A percentage of funds raised from ride fees will go back into the community to benefit initiatives supporting disadvantaged people, and other groups like the local Lions Club, the SES and fire brigade.

As a not-for-profit, GFPMRA currently has 44 members between the ages of nine and 82.

Anyone interested in joining the project, becoming a patron or business partner can contact Brian Gray via 0473 306 852 or [email protected].

Members over 18 need a Working with Children’s Check.