There’s enormous skill in these little models. Photo: ACT Scale Model Society.
Tanks, planes, cars and the occasional orc are taking over Thoroughbred Park this weekend for a very big exhibition of very small things.
From 8 to 9 November, the Lyneham venue will become home to ScaleACT, one of Australia’s biggest celebrations of miniature modelling.
Now in its 25th year, the event brings together hundreds of meticulously detailed models, from classic warplanes to science-fiction robots, across nearly 30 stalls.
“It’s grown from a very small internal competition to a major event with the public, traders, demonstrations, workshops and visiting clubs,” says organiser Mark Napier, from the ACT Scale Model Society (ACTSMS).
“There are others like it around Australia, but those are run by several clubs together. We’re the largest single-club event in the country.”
ScaleACT technically turned 25 some time ago.
It began in the late ’90s as a members-only contest in Civic’s Griffin Centre before going public in 2000. Since then, it’s steadily outgrown its homes – including the Harmonie German Club and Kaleen High School – to the point it now fills the entire indoor section of Thoroughbred Park.
One of the many dioramas that will be on display at ScaleACT 25. Photo: ACT Scale Model Society.
The ACT Scale Model Society itself dates back to 1972 and even picked up the Chief Minister’s Gold Award in 2022 for 50 years of community service.
“We meet at the Hellenic Club 10 times a year, do public days at Toyworld Fyshwick, and run online sessions so members from across Australia – and even overseas – can join in,” Napier says.
“It’s a bit of a solitary hobby in some respects, and we have members all over Australia … but we try to bring people of like minds together in these virtual events to build and enjoy a bit of company.”
Traditionally, model building was the domain of planes, tanks and cars, but new technology is shaking things up.
“Now it’s anything scale,” says Napier.
Interest in Japanese-style ‘Gundam’ figures and fantasy miniatures has exploded among younger generations. And now with 3D printing, “it’s endless what you can do”.
“That’s opening up a whole new area for us.”
The club’s members range from retirees to people – like Napier himself – rediscovering the hobby decades after gluing together their first Spitfire as a kid.
“We find that a lot of people who did it as a kid or teenager, and then 30, 40, 50 years later, they come back into it.”
‘Gundam’ models like this one are bringing modelling back to the younger generations. Photo: ACT Scale Model Society.
At the heart of the weekend is a national-level competition drawing entries from around Australia and New Zealand. Last year, nearly 800 models were on display.
To keep things fair, builders enter as rookies, standard or masters, depending on experience. There are prizes for everything from cars and ships to fantasy dioramas, and even a “Best Aussie Car” category – so expect plenty of models of Holdens and Fords.
Toyworld will host a free build stall for kids, while expert modelmakers run demonstrations and workshops.
“We’d certainly like to expand it so we can get more families in to see just the level of skill and talent in these things,” Napier says.
“It’s a form of art in its own right.”
ScaleACT is open from 10:30 am to 5 pm, Saturday, 8 November, and 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday, 9 November. A weekend pass costs $10 per adult, $5 per child or concession-card holder, and $20 for a family. Visit ACTSMS for more information.
