When people think of historical artefacts, a museum or art gallery may spring to mind, but some of our history is best preserved through use and experience, which is where the latest winner of the #GreaterIllawarra Community Funding Program comes in.
East Coast Heritage Rail - Cockatoo Run has received $2,000 for winning the June round, with $500 going to each of our runners up, Bulli Community Centre and Hospital Art Australia.
East Coast Heritage Rail volunteer, Todd Rowling, said the Cockatoo Run train is a part of Illawarra history.
“Our mission is to restore and preserve historic railway rolling stock and to raise awareness about these incredible machines through day tours like the Cockatoo Run, which takes in the spectacular Illawarra route to Wollongong before climbing the escarpment to the Southern Highlands,” Todd said.
“We work with kindred rail heritage organisations including sharing of heritage rolling stock and joint activities.
“We are all volunteers and we run day tours a number of times a year, which helps us to cover the costs associated with keeping the locomotives and carriages in good working order, however COVID has curtailed those activities over the past couple of years.
“This funding from the Greater will go towards our ongoing maintenance projects to ensure our rail heritage is preserved for generations to come.”
East Coast Heritage Rail volunteer, Todd Rowling.
Greater Bank’s Illawarra Regional Sales Manager, Greg Creagan, said rail has long played a vital role in the Illawarra.
“Our coal and steel industries and our port have relied heavily on trains for more than a century, helping make the region what it is today,” Greg said.
“It’s great to be able to make a contribution to help ensure this important history is not forgotten.”
Our July nominees in the running for $3,000 in monthly funding through the #GreaterIllawarra Community Funding Program are Green Connect, Illawarra Cancer Carers and Woonona Community Garden
The public can vote online at www.greater.com.au/greaterillawarra from 9.00am Monday July 4 until 5.00pm Wednesday July 27 2022.