The Apex Club of Latrobe Inc were looking for a new challenge and a new event to run. Brian Stewart - Apex Club of Latrobe Life Member, approached some individuals in the nearby town of Railton who had some knowledge of a models event concept to see if they were interested in assisting the Apex Club of Latrobe establish this style of event. In 2004 together with an enthusiastic group of volunteers and the Apex Club of Latrobe members, the first “Apex Railtown” event was run as a models, collectables and lifestyle expo. The event was held at the Railton Primary School in Railton, with an estimated attendance of 3,000. Assistance during the running of the event is also given by the Apex Club of Devonport, The Apex Club of Deloraine (Women’s) and The Apex Club of Emu Bay.

In 2005 the event had grown so that exhibitors had to be turned away. This event was again a success, with more exhibitors and greater attendance. Following Apex Railtown 2005 the event was completely re-evaluated by the Apex Club of Latrobe members and the Apex Railtown volunteers, and one of the decisions agreed on was to consider other venues. After careful consideration of several venues, the Devonport Showground’s were chosen as the preferred option, and the 2006 event is scheduled for this site.

Railton, “The Town of Topiary” has been the venue of the first two Apex Railtown events, and will continue to be proudly promoted during the event and with a special promotional site. Ensure that you don’t’ miss visiting this lovely town when visiting the region.

Community Services
The Apex Club of Latrobe Inc uses funds raised from the event for Apex’s community projects and towards ensuring the event becomes self supporting into the future.

Following the 2005 event, the Apex Club of Latrobe also assisted the efforts of the Railton Topiary Group with their tourism plans to promote Railton as the “Town of Topiary” and donated “Constable G” (Giraffe) – a 2 metre high topiary giraffe whose home is now the front yard of the Railton Police Station, and he is one of the largest character topiaries fully grown in the township.

Constable G is now a large attraction in the main street of Railton, and is a feature on the “topiary map” produced by the Railton Topiary group to assist in guiding visitors around the amazing and beautiful character topiaries in town.

Stop and follow the character topiary trail of over 100 topiaries (free maps available in town) – and check out the wide, wide street where the bullock drivers used to turn the large bullock teams enroute to the railway station with drays filled with their produce.