Promotions & Media

Claire and Stan Moore – Qld Rail Heritage Volunteers

By Elizabeth Frederickson
Coordinator, Development and Events Unit, Voluntering Queensland
February 2001

Stan Moore was such a steam train enthusiast that he thought a steam train trip would be a good way to woo his friend Claire. It actually worked! He introduced Claire to heritage trains and now they both volunteer with Queensland Rail Heritage Volunteers. Like most volunteers, their relationships with other people appear to dominate their stories, rather than "train-spotting" itself. However, February 2001 was the arts, heritage and tourism theme month for International Year of Volunteers, and Stan and Claire's volunteering story has heritage trains at its heart.

How did you get involved with volunteering?

Claire: I started with QR Heritage at the end of 1996, but I've been interested in rail for over 30 years. As a passenger on steam train trips, I enjoyed the travelling, the company and the old carriages, which were really lovely. Stan really introduced me to it – he took me out on a steam train! My own interest developed and I decided to contribute to preservation so that future generations could appreciate the trains.

Stan: I’ve always had an interest in rail, all my life! As a teenager, I joined a rail enthusiast's group, then got involved in committees and running train trips. I liked what Qld Rail were doing with their voluntary program, in that you could do minor repairs on the carriages, some cleaning and repainting. You could really get your hands on the cars! So, I started volunteering with them in 1996.

Describe your role as a volunteer

Claire: I help to restore seats and some of the woodwork in the carriages. Also, on tours I do ticketing, carriage attendant, dining car, souvenirs – a real variety! I've been to Cairns, Charleville, Maryborough and Bundaberg as part of the Centenary of Federation's trips. We also do the Brisbane Sunday steam trips regularly.

When you come home from volunteering, what are some of the satisfying things you find yourself telling your family and friends?

Claire: I really enjoy working with the public! Once, we worked with some disabled people from Dalby, and they really enjoyed the trip. One guy didn’t want to get off! It's nice to hear the "oldies" reminisce about their times, and the look on the children's faces is great, too. They get excited and amazed, especially when the whistles blow. It's good to see children come up and thank you at the end of a trip – without prompting from their parents.

Stan: You meet people from all walks of life when you are on trips and get to know those who you are volunteering with really well.

How has your volunteering changed since you have been there?

Claire: QR Heritage has employed a volunteer coordinator. It's good to be able to talk with her about anything to do with the volunteers.

Stan: The volunteer coordinator has organised training for the volunteers such as painting, hospitality, alcohol awareness and disability awareness. All volunteers do basic electrification and track safety courses before starting on train trips. Volunteers have had a close relationship with senior management at Qld Rail, which I hope will continue. They have always taken an interest in what we're doing. They know us by name and always give us a good hearing.

Do you imagine yourself volunteering 5 years from now? If so, what will you be doing?

Claire: I hope to stay on with QR Heritage, as I have recently retired and maybe will have some time for more volunteering such as Meals on Wheels.
Stan: I'll stick with it. It's part of my life!

And now, let's hear from the other perspective... Leanne Olsson is the Volunteer Coordinator at QR Heritage Volunteers and gets her own kind of rewards from working with volunteers.

How many volunteers are involved in the QR Heritage Volunteers?

270 Volunteers throughout Queensland

Please describe the various tasks volunteers are involved with.

QR's volunteer program is made up of a large group of people living throughout Queensland who, in there spare time, assist QR with our heritage activities. QR Heritage Volunteer groups have been established in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Townsville, and Monto. The volunteers assist QR in such roles as cosmetic restoration of items for displays, participating in displays promoting QR Heritage, assistance in preservation of items of QR Heritage significance and assisting in the organization of and operation of vintage train tours.

The program also assists in identifying and promoting QR's cultural heritage in local regions throughout Queensland. Volunteers also help at the Railway Historical Centre at Ipswich in relation to QR's archive and audio visual collection and The Railway Shop in relation to special projects from time to time.

What personal satisfaction do you experience from your involvement with volunteers?

I enjoy meeting and working with people. QR Heritage Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds but all have a common thread of interest in rail heritage throughout Queensland. I am always interested in why people volunteer and am pleasantly surprised at the number of QR employees who volunteer for the organization in their own time. I enjoy being part of the team when the volunteers have successfully completed a task on behalf of QR. And I enjoy seeing the recognition and appreciation they receive from QR and the public for the roles they play in assisting with QR's Heritage. I enjoy my role as Volunteers Co-ordinator for QR Heritage. I am very proud to work with a corporate organization such as QR that supports it's own volunteer program which assists in maintaining the cultural heritage of the organisation.

Why do you think the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) is important?

Recognition of volunteer contribution and identification of volunteer organisations is important this year. Without voluntary involvement, our community would be a much poorer place. Volunteers make a valuable contribution to our lifestyle and all volunteers should be very proud of the assistance they provide. Society should be made aware of the valuable contribution volunteers do make.

Are you doing anything special for IYV?

IYV displays with a local historic rail theme are planned in Gladstone from Friday 13-Sunday 15 April and in Townsville from Saturday 4- Saturday 11 September. Both displays with be at the Railway Station in the respective city.

An IYV display is planned in Brisbane, over the May long weekend, 9 - 11 May. This display will be at the annual Brisbane Miniature Train Show at the Brisbane Showgrounds. The show is organized by the Australian Model Railway Association, Queensland Branch, which is also a volunteer organisation.

What improvements or changes to volunteering in Queensland would you like to see come out of IYV?

Co-ordinated access to information about volunteer groups, perhaps in the form of an annual directory. Would you like to make any other comments about your involvement with volunteers?

If you would like to find out more about volunteering in the heritage or tourism areas, contact Volunteering Queensland's state-wide referral service by phone or via our web-site. See the front page for contact details.