The Altona Miniature Railway (AMR) organisation is looking for new volunteers to keep their weekly train rides a regular occurrence.
AMR is a hobby club run by members that provide miniature train rides on scaled steam and diesel engines over a 1.5 km length track.
Secretary Matthew Rawles-Allen has been a volunteer for 23 years, among the many other community members who run the non-for-profit.
“Since coming out of COVID, we are looking for more participation in volunteering to help with the tasks , whether that’s maintaining our trains, or giving rides to the general public,” he said.
Matthew said being an entirely community run volunteer organisation, they have a wide range of people who help out.
“We have a group of retirees who usually help out twice a week with maintenance on the train.
“As well as some teenagers who come down and run their model trains as well as the large trains”
Since 1985, Matthew said the miniature railway has been extremely popular with the community.
“It has allowed people to get out and enjoy a low-cost activity.
“It also gives our retirees a chance for a social outing within the local community.
“They get to benefit from the social aspect while undertaking activities together to benefit the wider community.”
Many years later, Matthew said the feedback they receive shows AMR is still going strong.
“In the current economic climate we are a very attractive low cost activity for family entertainment.
“We’re trying to meet the demand we see because of that, while trying to increase our volunteers.”
