On Monday, September 9, starting at 7.15pm at the Bottom Pub (Orbost Club Hotel), a special group of guests from the Tallangatta Rail Trail Advisory Group will be available to talk with Orbost people.

Of particular interest to Orbost is that this community group of volunteers has experience in repairing five historic trestle bridges on the High Country Trail which has become a must-visit in Victoria.

Since 2002, this group has worked in partnership with Parklands Albury/Wodonga, Koetong Shelley Development Association and the Bonegilla Rail Trail Advisory Group to establish, manage, develop and enhance the rail trail from Wodonga to Shelley Station, although the trail now goes to Cudgewa.

Members of the group are in Orbost as guests of the Save The Snowy Rail Bridge group who are campaigning to have the historic railway viaduct repaired and used for walking and cycling uses.

“This is a particularly exciting visit for us,” May Leatch, vice president of the Orbost group, said

“We can hear first-hand how another group has overcome challenges, and helped local economies through the enormous popularity of the High Country Trail.

“They are a group which has the think-and-act-positive motive and the can-do energy to go with it.

“Their work has been inspirational.”

Tasks for the Tallangatta group have included spraying weeds, slashing the track verges, organising the rolling and resealing of sections of the trail surface, through to the restoration of five trestle bridges.

Two cycling events are organised each year by the group – the Tall Trestle Treadle, and the Whistle Stop High Tea.

The presentation by the Tallangatta group starts at 7.15pm and all interested people are invited to attend.