REVIEW: 2026 Model Expo & Competition
All the planning, organising, and stressing heading into this year's Model Expo at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club paid off gloriously. With so many punters through the doors it was clear that all our efforts, and advertising, had produced a very successful event, enjoyed by everyone who attended or participated. Public feedback was hugely positive overall, with many stating how impressed they were with the range and the quality of models on the tables. We may even have a new member or two joining us in the near future.
A massive shout out to the club members who volunteered their time to help out over the weekend, and for helping to make the show the success it was. Also an honourable mention and big thank you to Rex and Nigel from Central Otago Model Society, who travelled all the way from Alexandra with their big N-scale rail layout, assembled it, and ran their trains without complaint all weekend. As always their layout proves a popular attraction for the public wandering about, but most enthralled were the younger ones in the crowd who appeared to naturally gravitate toward the movement and noise of the tiny trains.
The wonderful evening meal on Saturday night in the downstairs dining room was well earned and very much enjoyed by those who attended. The night was generously filled with much banter, the telling of many modelling anecdotes, and reviewing of the day's events.
Overall the competition and, particularly the judging, went very smoothly, and everyone who competed seemed very satisfied with the results. At the prizegiving ceremony a brand new award was presented to Gary L. for his incredible (and massive) Waterloo Farmhouse diorama - the Nigel Russell Memorial trophy. Not only was his diorama elected by the club president as most deserving of the award, the public concurred and Gary was presented with the coveted Public Choice award as well. Best in Show went to Gary G. for his wonderful little Wonder Woman figure.
More results below.
Thank you again to all our sponsors and contributors, for without your generous support our Model Expo would not exist.
A massive shout out to the club members who volunteered their time to help out over the weekend, and for helping to make the show the success it was. Also an honourable mention and big thank you to Rex and Nigel from Central Otago Model Society, who travelled all the way from Alexandra with their big N-scale rail layout, assembled it, and ran their trains without complaint all weekend. As always their layout proves a popular attraction for the public wandering about, but most enthralled were the younger ones in the crowd who appeared to naturally gravitate toward the movement and noise of the tiny trains.
The wonderful evening meal on Saturday night in the downstairs dining room was well earned and very much enjoyed by those who attended. The night was generously filled with much banter, the telling of many modelling anecdotes, and reviewing of the day's events.
Overall the competition and, particularly the judging, went very smoothly, and everyone who competed seemed very satisfied with the results. At the prizegiving ceremony a brand new award was presented to Gary L. for his incredible (and massive) Waterloo Farmhouse diorama - the Nigel Russell Memorial trophy. Not only was his diorama elected by the club president as most deserving of the award, the public concurred and Gary was presented with the coveted Public Choice award as well. Best in Show went to Gary G. for his wonderful little Wonder Woman figure.
More results below.
Thank you again to all our sponsors and contributors, for without your generous support our Model Expo would not exist.
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Competition Results
BEST AIRCRAFT: David M-O. (Delta jet)
BEST MILITARY VEHICLE: David M-O. (Sherman tank)
BEST CIVILIAN VEHICLE: Bruce C. (HQ Holden)
BEST SHIP: Gary G. ("Vampire" destroyer)
BEST FIGURE: Gary G. (Wonder Woman)
BEST SCI-FI / MISCELLANEOUS: Mace B. Thunderbirds Movie collection
BEST JUNIOR: Brodie C. (Gundam Freedom Fighter)
BEST DIORAMA: Gary L. (Sainte-Mere Eglise Church)
BEST IN SPECIAL DISPLAY: Herb R. (German Destroyer)
NIGEL RUSSELL MEMORIAL AWARD: Gary L. (Waterloo farmhouse diorama)
PUBLIC CHOICE: Gary L. (Waterloo farmhouse diorama)
BEST IN SHOW: Gary G. ("Vampire" Destroyer)
BEST MILITARY VEHICLE: David M-O. (Sherman tank)
BEST CIVILIAN VEHICLE: Bruce C. (HQ Holden)
BEST SHIP: Gary G. ("Vampire" destroyer)
BEST FIGURE: Gary G. (Wonder Woman)
BEST SCI-FI / MISCELLANEOUS: Mace B. Thunderbirds Movie collection
BEST JUNIOR: Brodie C. (Gundam Freedom Fighter)
BEST DIORAMA: Gary L. (Sainte-Mere Eglise Church)
BEST IN SPECIAL DISPLAY: Herb R. (German Destroyer)
NIGEL RUSSELL MEMORIAL AWARD: Gary L. (Waterloo farmhouse diorama)
PUBLIC CHOICE: Gary L. (Waterloo farmhouse diorama)
BEST IN SHOW: Gary G. ("Vampire" Destroyer)
