TRACKS, LENSES & LEGACY: Celebrating Dean Manderson’s Tireless Community Work

As the whistle blows and the miniature trains chug along over bridges and through tunnels at Melrose Park, it’s not just steam that powers the Clare Valley Model Engineers; it’s the steady commitment of Dean.

Dean, the long-standing member of the Clare Valley Model Engineers in South Australia, is the kind of person every community dreams of having: quietly capable, endlessly dedicated, and always ready to lend a hand (or a wrench, or a lens).

At the heart of the ten-hectare playground that is Melrose Park, complete with a lake, BMX track, walking paths, picnic areas, accessible facilities and, of course, over a kilometre of meticulously maintained miniature railway, Dean plays a central role in transforming a patch of parkland into a vibrant local treasure.

For Dean, community contribution isn’t a one-track affair.

Before moving to Clare, Dean was already making his mark as President of the West Torrens Camera Club, a role he first took on in 1981 and held for an astonishing 23 years. His leadership helped shape a generation of hobbyists into confident image-makers. It’s no surprise that once he settled in Clare, he brought the same energy and vision to the Clare Camera Club, where he now serves again.

The Clare Camera Club is a warm, welcoming space for photographers across the region. Meeting on the first Friday of each month (excluding January and December), the club fosters a spirit of learning, experimentation, and camaraderie among creatives at all levels.

Whether behind the camera or in front of a train engine, Dean brings the same patient curiosity and eye for detail.

If that weren’t enough, Dean also lends his editorial touch as editor of the Northern Automotive Restoration Club (NARC) newsletter. Through his work, the club keeps motoring memories alive and connects enthusiasts across regional South Australia with updates, stories, and mechanical marvels.

Happy 72 Birthday, Dean. Your journey is one for the history books and worth writing about.

References
https://www.libraries.sa.gov.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/1436972/0