Alison Byrnes (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In August, I had the pleasure of attending the Illawarra Live Steamers' annual luncheon. This year's event was particularly special as we celebrated their 60th anniversary, marking the significant milestone in March. The invitation to attend came from their president, my good friend Rob Robertson. The Illawarra Live Steamers is a model engineering club based in Wollongong which brings enthusiasts together to build and operate live steam powered miniature trains. With multiple tracks and monthly public running days, the club offers a fun, memorable experience for families and showcases the skill and dedication of its members. One of the Illawarra Live Steamers' youngest members, Jenson, who turned 15 at the end of August, has been successful in obtaining his probationary ticket. He still has to log some hours driving miniature trains before he is fully qualified, and I wish him the very best of luck.

The Illawarra Live Steamers have shown great resilience and dedication in the countless hours spent building tracks, maintaining equipment and hosting events. Just two weeks ago, I visited and attended their open day, where I presented the committee with a signed certificate from the Prime Minister for their service to the community. Congratulations again on your 60th anniversary, and thanks to President Rob Robertson, Secretary Greg Coleman and all of the executive for providing such a great space for enthusiasts and for the general public to enjoy.