The Annual Scale Model Expo returns to Port Macquarie in the July school holidays, with organisers promising a weekend of miniature aircraft, ships, tanks and railways for the whole family.
The Expo will be held at the Panthers Club Main Auditorium in Bay Street, Port Macquarie, on Saturday 11 July from 9am to 5pm and Sunday 12 July from 9am to 3pm.
Visitors can expect to see radio-controlled ships and aircraft, period ships and a working railway, alongside models built from timber, fibreglass and resin. Plastic scale models on display will include modern jets and old warbirds, armoured fighting vehicles, science fiction subjects, ships and figures.
Port Macquarie Scale Modellers coordinator Craig Anderson said the event had a long history in the region, tracing back more than 27 years to when it was known as the Port Macquarie Model Boat Show.
“We believe the show has been running for over 27 years now, with the Port Macquarie Scale Modellers taking over the organising of the Scale Model Expo in 2016. Prior to this date, it was called the Port Macquarie ‘Model Boat Show’,” Mr Anderson said.
He said the original format was primarily maritime themed, featuring hand-built tall-masted sailing ships, tugs, ferries and remote-control navy vessels and racing boats.
“Over time, plastic scale models and train layouts were introduced into the expo. Since our club’s running of the event began in 2016, we have tried to diversify to an even greater variety of scale models of different genres, building materials and skill sets,” Mr Anderson said.
The Port Macquarie Scale Modellers is a local not-for-profit club with members ranging from early teens to over 80 years old. Mr Anderson said he joined after meeting the club’s two founding members, Dave and Rob, at the old Model Boat Show.
“I met the 2 original founding members, Dave and Rob at the Port Macquarie Model Boat Show. I left my details with them and said, if you ever start a club, count me in….. here we are 17 years later, with over 100 members,” he said.
“Some of my closest friends are members of the model club. We have so many great members, all with different talents and skills, that I have had the privilege of watching develop over time. I’m so proud to be associated with the club and our wide array of members.”
This year’s exhibitors include last year’s People’s Choice award winners Peter and Liddy from Nambucca Heads, known for their detailed miniature buildings, and Sydney-based modeller Gary Wickham of Scalespot.com. Local club member Noel, who won Best in Show last year, will also return with a display of dioramas, alongside nine-year-old exhibitor Aaron, who is showing his models for the second year running.
Mr Anderson said he first got into the hobby as a seven-year-old, after receiving a Star Wars X-Wing model as a Christmas present.
“I built until my early teens and then life got in the way for a number of years. I picked it back up in my early 30s and haven’t stopped since,” he said.
“It’s the sense of achievement of finishing a build and being proud of what you have turned out. You are always trying to get better each build and are continuously learning new skills and techniques to progress your models even further.”
Entry to the Expo is by gold coin donation, with proceeds going to Hastings Little Wishes, a local charity that grants wishes to children in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region living with serious illness, rare disease or chronic and complex conditions.
Mr Anderson said the club chose to support the charity after deciding it wanted to help local kids doing it tough.
“As a group we wanted to be able to support a local charity whose purpose was helping kids who are going through a rough time with illness. We reached out to Hastings Little Wishes, who were exactly what we were looking for, and they were excited with our fund-raising support,” he said.
Families attending can take part in the People’s Choice awards, with numbered models and voting slips handed out at the door.
Vendors will also be on site selling kits, glue, paints and accessories for beginners and advanced modellers alike.
Mr Anderson encouraged first-time visitors to take their time and chat with the exhibitors.
“Take your time and look carefully at the talent and craftmanship on show. Talk to the exhibitors and ask questions about their display…. trust me, they will love to have a chat and tell you all about the build process,” he said.
For anyone curious about taking up the hobby, Mr Anderson’s message was simple.
“Give it a go, what’s stopping you!” he said.
The Port Macquarie Scale Modellers meet every second Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Panthers, with new members welcome.
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