The Milton Ulladulla Model Railway Club was given $30,000 to construct a South Coast Railway History Museum, which will take pride of place next to the existing Jack Nicholson Collection museum on the highway. 

The museum will highlight the early industrial railways in the Ulladulla region, club president Bob Goodwin said. 

“Many of these early railways were horse-drawn tramways built to transport timber logs to local sawmills, as well as silica from local mines to harbour wharves at Bendalong and Mollymook,” he said. 

The club was founded by Mr Goodwin 10 years ago in his garage at Milton. Three years ago it moved to the Dunn Lewis Centre, but now needs its own space. 

Shoalhaven City Council located the site and approved plans for the club to build a 20-metre by 10-metre steel-framed and Colorbond clad shed three years ago. 

The club will put $35,000 of its own money towards the $95,000 museum. 

“Members have raised $35,000 to-date from their five years of fund-raising activities, and will provide almost $8,000 of in-kind labour during the interior fit out,” Mr Goodwin said. 

“The state government grant announced by Shelley Hancock will provide the $30,000 needed to construct the South Coast Railway History Museum to lock-up stage. A further $30,000 of funding is still required for the interior fit-out of the building." 

Despite this, Mr Goodwin was “confident” the building would be open to the public by October. 

“We have members who had pledged money if we don’t get a grant to fit it out,” he said. 

“They are very passionate.”

Mr Goodwin said the museum would “increase visitor numbers” to the coastal community, and was “strongly supported” by the existing museum at the site. 

The Milton Historical Society will also be involved in the project and will supply a collection of historic photographs and information on the early local industrial tramways for a display. 

“The grant will allow the construction of a permanent and secure base for the Model Railway Club, improve visitor facilities on the Lake Tabourie site, and display historic photos and information not currently available to the public,” Mr Goodwin said. 

“The South Coast Railway History Museum will attract visitors who have an interest in local history, transportation, and early industrial activity, as well as those interested in model railways.”

Anyone interested in the Railway History Museum can contact Bob on 4455 5918.