RossM
Active Member
On 26 August I attended my first model show in Australia. Having been in Australia for almost a year, and having started to do some modelling more regularly, I thought it was time to see what the modelling scene is like down under. I was not disappointed. QMHE is one of the larger shows in Australia and, in the UK, we would probably describe it as a sizeable regional show. Though I could be wrong, my impression is that the modelling scene in Australia is affected by the country’s geography in that there does not appear to be too many shows. This is probably in part because of numbers and the distance involved in travelling between major urban areas; it is a 12-hour drive between Brisbane and Sydney. Nevertheless, assuming I am right in my impression, the fewer numbers of shows is no bad thing. Personally, I prefer a fewer number of high quality shows compared to what I find now happens in the UK, i.e. from around the end of January to the start of December there is essentially a show a week. In short, if you were to attend a show every weekend, you would end up seeing the same pieces week in week out. At least with less frequent shows, you see something new and do not suffer from fatigue.
QMHE is a two-day show held in Redbank between Brisbane and Ipswich and is held in a large sports hall. It is a joint effort having been started in the 1990s. The show incorporates the Queensland Scale Modelling Competition, which is reputed to be the second largest in Australia after Model Expo in Melbourne. The show has the usual mix of club displays and traders as well as demonstrations. One club I found which I would like to know more about is Queensland Figure Modellers. I cannot find a website for them, so if anyone knows anything about them, then please let me know. I also found a great base maker in the form of Jim’s Bases. Having always leaned towards buying Oakwood Studio bases in the UK I was unsure where I might find similarly high-quality bases here in Australia. Happily, I can say I have found them!
Here is an image of my swag from the day. I got a good deal on a D-Day Miniature Studio figure from Firestorm Models while my main purchases were some tools to replace some of those that I, unfortunately, had to ditch before coming to Australia.
These were my top three pieces at the show, and I was impressed with the standard on display in the competition. I overheard someone mention that there were around 450 entries in the competition, which I think shows that the hobby is alive and well here in Queensland. Moreover, while I did not enter anything, it has given me some impetus to get both the Whippet and Jager bust finished.
Here are some more pictures that I took at the show. Sorry for the mediocre quality of the images but they were taken on my iPhone; however, I have edited them to try and improve colour levels etc.
Overall, I had a delightful day, and I should say well done to the organisers for putting on a great show that I will undoubtedly be coming back next year!
Continue reading...
QMHE is a two-day show held in Redbank between Brisbane and Ipswich and is held in a large sports hall. It is a joint effort having been started in the 1990s. The show incorporates the Queensland Scale Modelling Competition, which is reputed to be the second largest in Australia after Model Expo in Melbourne. The show has the usual mix of club displays and traders as well as demonstrations. One club I found which I would like to know more about is Queensland Figure Modellers. I cannot find a website for them, so if anyone knows anything about them, then please let me know. I also found a great base maker in the form of Jim’s Bases. Having always leaned towards buying Oakwood Studio bases in the UK I was unsure where I might find similarly high-quality bases here in Australia. Happily, I can say I have found them!
Here is an image of my swag from the day. I got a good deal on a D-Day Miniature Studio figure from Firestorm Models while my main purchases were some tools to replace some of those that I, unfortunately, had to ditch before coming to Australia.
These were my top three pieces at the show, and I was impressed with the standard on display in the competition. I overheard someone mention that there were around 450 entries in the competition, which I think shows that the hobby is alive and well here in Queensland. Moreover, while I did not enter anything, it has given me some impetus to get both the Whippet and Jager bust finished.
Here are some more pictures that I took at the show. Sorry for the mediocre quality of the images but they were taken on my iPhone; however, I have edited them to try and improve colour levels etc.
Overall, I had a delightful day, and I should say well done to the organisers for putting on a great show that I will undoubtedly be coming back next year!
Continue reading...
