A Brief History of the NEMRC

In early 1986 a small group of keen railway modellers, from around the Inverell area in northern NSW, met with the idea of forming a club to enable them to meet on a regular basis to further their activities and interests. The group initially met once a month in the back room of a local Inverell shop, and commenced building a small modular exhibition layout. In October 1986 a small model railway exhibition was held in conjunction with a Leisure Show at Copeton Waters State Park, near Inverell. This provided an insight into the hobby for the people of the local area.

Over the next five years we existed only as a loose group of interested modellers, meeting on regular occasions. In 1992, the INVERELL and DISTRICT MODEL RAILWAY CLUB was officially formed, and held its inaugural model railway exhibition in the Inverell Town Hall. The exhibition was a huge success, and since then, the Club has earned a reputation for organising one of the best country exhibitions. In March 1993, the IDMRC became an incorporated association.

The Club held another three exhibitions in Inverell from 1993 to 1995. Some of our members assisted the Armidale Masonic Lodge with another two held in Armidale in 1997 and 1998.In December 1998 we changed our name to the NEW ENGLAND MODEL RAILWAY CLUB Inc. to better reflect the spread of members. In May 2000, we held our first exhibition in Armidale under our new name. In March 2001 we held our first New England Convention at at the Yaraandoo Environmental Interpretive Centre, near Ebor on the New England plateau.