National Railway Heritage Conference

The conference will be forward looking as well as historical and commemorative. It will be held in conjunction with both the events associated with the 150th anniversary of the beginning of railways in NSW and the celebrations associated with the official opening of the first stage of the Australian Railway Monument and railway museum at Werris Creek. The Centre proposes to do what universities do best -- bring many of the people who are now concerned with important issues together to define problems and solutions. This conference will enhance both the heritage and future of Australian railways.

The conference patron will be the Hon. Tim Fischer, former Deputy Prime Minister and an enthusiastic advocate of railways as part of a rational national transport system.

The conference will be in three parts held over three days, dealing with the past, present and future of Australian railways.

The first day will deal with railway heritage and the threats it faces.

The second day will analyse what the changes of the last two decades have meant, and try to make clear where changes have led us.

The third day will deal with future strategic planning and the hope for a rational and sustainable transport policy in which rail has its proper place.

For further information contact Dr Andrew Piper on (02) 6773 2764 or email HFRC@une.edu.au.

Details on the conference are accessible online at http://www.une.edu.au/campus/confco/nrhc2005.