 |
Norm is a foundation member of AMRA having joined back in 1951 as only the third member to join from outside the home state of Victoria. His interest in model railways precedes this by quite some years with his involvement with 'O gauge house', and the Sydney Model Railway Society. Norm was also co-founder of the model railway section of the Burwood Police Citizens Boys Club where a large O gauge layout was built which over a period of nineteen years with monthly exhibitions and numerous television appearances drew many into joining the hobby.
In 1961 the boys club decided to hold a model railway exhibition with all the then existing local clubs to participate. The NSW branch of AMRA ended up taking over the organizing of this exhibition and thus was born the Sydney Model Railway Exhibition which moved first to the Sydney lower town hall and then the showground before reaching its current location at Liverpool. Partnered with Col Shepherd, Norm also built an O gauge exhibition layout which was the showpiece of the Sydney Exhibition for many years.
Norm has devoted much time to helping anyone with a model railway related problem. He became heavily involved in the early days of the NSW branch including providing transport to and from members homes for meetings (when few members had access to cars) and assisting both physically and financially in the eventual acquisition of the NSW branch clubrooms. Throughout the branch's existence whenever there is work to be done, Norm can be found making his contribution.
In the mid 60s the Victorian branch decided that they wanted someone else to have a go at running the Association (which they had run since its foundation) and asked the NSW branch to consider taking over and in 1968 Norm found himself on the Federal Committee of Management of which he is now the longest serving member. When the Secretary's position fell vacant, Norm stepped forward to fill the position temporarily until a more suitable person could be found. This temporary role continued for over sixteen years. From there he moved into the Federal Registrar's job, a position that he continues to fill to this day.
Norm is also the driving force behind the O gauge layout at the branch clubrooms having spent a great deal of time in its construction and , over the years, its reconstruction. Norm has also contributed much time to the HO layouts and when it came time to start naming the stations on this layout one station quickly acquired the name 'Read'.
Norm is officially retired but from his involvement in more than one model railway club and the way he is always around participating in everything you certainly wouldn't know it. When he was working, Norm was an accomplished technician with the gift of passing on to his fellow workers many of the little tricks that he had learnt. This has carried over to his hobby activities.
On the 31st December 1982 came the announcement that Norman Read had been awarded the British Empire medal for services to youth through model railways. Upon hearing that he was to receive this award his response was "This will be the recognition for model railways that we have always wanted".
