Model Engineer awarded Queen's Birthday honour

Today is the official public holiday for the Queen's Birthday in most states of Oz, (but not in others, go figure) and amazingly, a model engineer has made the honours list, being awarded an Order of Australia Medal.

Great story here **LINK**about Neil Mackenzie's work over 30 years making and driving model locos, which at $2 a ride have raised serious money for several local charities. There's a good video at the link of several of his models in action.

Great to see our hobby recognized at such a level.

Ironically, Mr Mackenzie lives in Queensland, one of the states that did not celebrate the Queen's Birthday today but on some other date. Oh, well, what do you expect in a country that still does not have a national standard gauge railway with various states still sticking largely to their individual colonial gauges?

Many Congrats to Mr Mackenzie, Good on yer!

Phil

UK

They obviously have fond memories of the mother country:

Cartoon is 'Break of Gauge at Gloucester' from the Illustrated London News June 5th 1846.

Dave

PS. Well done Mr Mackenzie.

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 12/06/2017 12:10:29

Nice one.

Neil

Lol, well obviously not bad enough to refuse an award from them though.

Michael W

Hopper "Oh, well, what do you expect in a country that still does not have a national standard gauge railway with various states still sticking largely to their individual colonial gauges?"

With the previous comments in mind, does he build to 4&3/16th in gauge.?

DaveD, France

Well done that man!

Geo.

Very well done Neil -- beautiful city is Brisbane !

I think he builds with a set of 5" gauge wheels and a second set of 3-1/2" gauge wheels mounted inboard to accommodate gauge change without the above pictured shamozle.

Great life work and well deserved for his efforts.

Might have to try get over and have a look and take some photos its just 1hr drive.

Hopper I take it you are also in QLD?

Yes, but a three day drive from Brisbane, so I'll leave it up to you.

Edited By Hopper on 13/06/2017 13:30:48

Edited By Hopper on 13/06/2017 13:31:07

Thinking about this Queens Birthday honour list further, it seems those awarded are chosen by a commitee largely because someone nominated them. Ergo, it might be an idea to promote the hobby in the UK or other places for someone to nominate a similar type of outstanding model engineer who has been involved in charitable work for similar honours. Just a thought.

3hr from Brissy maybe I read his location wrong?? OR you taking into account the parking lot?


I like the thought I think some time ago there was a UK Model Engineer awarded???

I reckon the fellow from Woolongong/Albion park who's collection recently saw Ipswich railway Museum benefactors as well as the Gong Uni postumusly of course.

I have known a few NSW recipients of OAM's seniors, scout leaders and guide leaders.

Yes all it takes is for them to be nominated my good old friend who is found of Kids Cancer Council has been also.

I think he lives in Brisbane? I'm near Cairns.