How does an annual report adequately describe the contributions made over a whole year by those who form the volunteer Committee?
In this ‘Year of the Volunteer’ Railtrails Australia continues to grow only because of quite extraordinary effort, and even sacrifice, by all its committee members. Here I want to put on the record my perception of that effort but first note some of the products and activities from the past year.
Most obvious, important and demanding was ongoing production of the guide book Railtrails of Victoria, published late in 1999 and reprinted during 2000 with a second run of 3000 books. I say ongoing because as a self publisher we also had to manage the marketing, distribution and promotion and that has required a high level of persistent effort. Hard on the heels of this first guide book production was a decision to produce another and more detailed edition modelled on the first but making use of all that was learnt first time around. This not only expands and updates the Victorian list but adds South Australia and represents a symbol of of our expansion out of Victoria as a more truly national organisation. Support this year for the efforts of the Esk Shire for a rail trail along at least part of the former Brisbane River valley line also highlights our wider efforts.
Closely allied to the work on the books has been establishment and expansion of our web site and the linked email communication options for the Committee, subscribers and a wider Network. Thanks to a $500 donation from Bicycle Industries Australia Inc the capacity of the web site was considerably expanded. www.railtrails.org.au has received many commendation for its design and content. This site has very significant potential for Railtrails Australia in the future as we grow the organisation and seek smarter, quicker and cheaper ways of sharing information and influencing rail trail developments across the country. Telling rail trail users where to ‘get on’ and ‘get off’ presents challenges for all r.t. Committees of Management, and our efforts to develop a signs protocol is bearing results with a near final draft document now being prepared. This will assist our relationship with trail Committees. It also strengthens our capacity to develop technical information on a range of engineering and related matters.
One of the most frustrating matters we have had to resolve has been our data base. There is no negative reflection on any individual efforts but a series of unfortunate disjunctions and happenings meant it was many months before we got on top of the problem. A supporting action has been work to document the procedures we have been using in both internal management and other relationships. This is essential risk management to avoid loss of function which can occur when such knowledge leaves when an individual moves to other things.
We are calling on all rail trail supporters to express their support for the development of a new rail trail in NSW to a...
Some exciting news from Western Australia! Earlier this week, the WA government committed $17.5 million to completing th...
Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) recently received very welcome news and financial support to allow them th...
The e-bike is a great way to get more people and families using the rail trails in Australia! Bicycle Network believes e...
This week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
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Register for news updatesWe are calling on all rail trail supporters to express their support for the development of a new rail trail in NSW to a...
Some exciting news from Western Australia! Earlier this week, the WA government committed $17.5 million to completing th...
Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) recently received very welcome news and financial support to allow them th...
The e-bike is a great way to get more people and families using the rail trails in Australia! Bicycle Network believes e...
This week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...