Manila Downunder

~~ THE G-SPOT BARKADA ~~

Supporting Philippine Charities!

Since first going to the Philippines in 1999 I have had a desire to try to help the country and become involved in a few projects.
As a railfan I was concerned with the countries lack of historic records and preservation in this area. Upon returning home I set up the 'Philippine Railways SIG' in order to search out other people around the world with a similar interest.
The group has grown to a point where now we have over 200 members.

Following my visit in 2007 a concerted effort was made to set up a group in the Philippines with a view to obtaining records and rollingstock. A museum was planned as a home for all that is collected and the collection made available for researches, locals, tourists and other interested parties.

2008 has been a huge year for the now official 'Railways and Industrial Heritage Society Phils. Inc' with a television appearance and much support from within the railways and government themselves. Membership is steadily growing and the first items of rollingstock have already been obtained and restored, while the extensive historical photo collection is also growing.

We are now in 2009 and we are approaching the final stages of setting up the Australian chapter of the group 'Railways and Industrial Heritage Society Phils. (ANZ Chapter) Inc.' of which I have been made president.
Along with Bill Sullivan (Vice-President and regular at our karaoke nights) we are hoping to grow membership and raise some donations for the society.

As can probably be told from the name, the society is not 100% railway based. Although that is the primary interest of most of the membership, the group also aims to preserve items of industrial interest and even things like historical Jeepnies etc.

A donation box will be present at all karaoke nights and we would humbly ask you to drop in anything, no matter how small, to help us give a museum of history to the beautiful country that is the Philippines.
Cheques made out to the 'RIHSP(ANZ Chapter) I' can also be sent to the groups postal address PO Box 181, Matraville 2036, NSW Australia.

Please help us to preserve some of the Philippines
very important transport and industrial history.

RIHSP(ANZ Chapter)I Website


The Future: A few of us hold a desire to set up a different association one to day help with important projects in the Philippines. Whether it be repairs to an important structure, an operation for a needing person, or
any other similar project.
Although this is a while down the track, we would be interested to hear from other people with a big heart and a desire to help.