About Us
Our story begins with a mountain railway which closed in 1972, and is now degraded and not suitable for rail operations. But the rail corridor is perfect for developing a rail trail for community use.
Tallowood Ventures was established as a not for profit organisation and registered charity in late 2022 after discussions with Glenreagh Mountain Railway, Woolgoolga Mountain Bike Club, local councils and village communities. Glenreagh Mountain Railway transferred their assets, including the railway corridor, to Tallowood Ventures in early 2023.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a 35 km walking and cycling trail on the rail corridor from Glenreagh to Ulong, suitable for all to walk, cycle and run. We want to see locals and tourists actively enjoying the trail, connecting communities, and encouraging eco-tourism to benefit the region.
We also want to share stories of the heritage railway, and restore the 1919 steam engine for operations on a short section of the railway at Glenreagh.
Who we are
We are Tallowood Ventures Ltd, governed by a constitution and our Board of Directors. We work alongside a wider team of volunteers, supporters and friends.
Wal Muir
Chairman
Wal was raised in South Grafton. Originally training as a teacher in Armidale, he also holds degrees from UNSW and UQ. Wal worked as an exploration geologist in the oil and gas industry in Australia and overseas. Wal served on the Board of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia, including two years as Chairman. He has been CEO of a large consulting firm, CEO of an oil and gas company, and an adjunct professor at QUT in Brisbane. Wal retired to Woolgoolga, where he enjoys surfing, cycling, growing carnivorous plants, and ensuring that the rail corridor from Glenreagh to Ulong doesn’t sit there unused for another 30 years.
Karen Masson
Director, Rail Trail Project Officer
Karen is a third generation raised in Coffs Harbour, before leaving to study, and to pursue her career in health (OT). After returning to the Coffs Coast with her family, she joined the Coffs Harbour Mountain Bike Club and started Coffs Trail Runners to meet others who share her passion for outdoor adventures. She is a committee member at Woolgoolga Mountain Bike Club, and a mountain bike skills coach. Having raced and ridden bikes all over the world, and Australia, she believes the Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail will be an exceptionally beautiful trail for all ages and abilities to walk, ride and enjoy nature together.
Stewart Mackie
Director
Stewart was raised in Grafton, and now lives in Woolgoolga with his family. He worked for many years with Qantas as an engineer, and locally in engineering and with Clarence Valley Council as a Project Manager. Stewart volunteered with Glenreagh Mountain Railway. His family are active in Scouting, and Stewart loves hiking. He’s handy too, with a passion for old trades like cabinet making, saddlery and blacksmithing. Stewart believes Tallowood Ventures can transform this region, and is a worthwhile investment of his time.
Chris Hanson
Director
Chris has lived in Coffs Harbour for 30 years and is Safety and Production Manager at the timber mill at Glenreagh. An active volunteer, he is a First Responder for NSW Ambulance, President of Glenreagh Heartstart, and volunteered for Glenreagh Mountain Railway. He believes Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail and steam train operations will boost the local economy. Chris enjoys growing fruit and rainforest trees on his property, and relaxing with a cross stitch.
Kate Pembroke
Director
Kate has spent most of her career in and around the tourism industry and moved to the Coffs Harbour region in 2019 from Sydney. Kate has worked across policy, government relations and corporate affairs for agencies including Tourism Australia, Events NSW and Destination NSW. More recently Kate headed up the media and communications team at City of Coffs Harbour Council and led community engagement for Kempsey Shire Council. Kate is passionate about ambitious and transformative projects and sees the wide-ranging benefits for Coffs hinterland and surrounds flowing from the Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail project.
Jonathon Gould
Director
Jonathon moved to Coffs Harbour in 2019 from Sydney. He works for a large Australian NGO with a significant presence in Coffs Harbour. Jonathon is a keen cyclist and served many years until recently as President of the Coffs Harbour Cycle Club. he seems enormous opportunity from redeveloping the Glenreagh to Ulong rail trail into a multi-purpose recreational destination for the local community and visitors.
Contact us
- info@tallowoodventures.com
- PO Box 9015 Moonee Beach, NSW 2450
Glenreagh Heritage Railway and Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail are community projects of Tallowood Ventures Ltd, a not for profit company and registered charity.
ABN 71 663 551 728
We acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr people on whose country we live, work and play, and recognise their continued connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.