About Us
The oldest model engineering club in the world · Since 1906
Sydney Society of Model Engineers Inc. (SSME) is the oldest model engineering club in Australia and the oldest continuously operating Model Engineering Club in the World. The aim of the society is to promote all forms of model engineering.
Our story
The S.S.M.E. began in 1906 at Summer Hill in Sydney where members met in a private home to discuss the engineering topics of the day. Originally known as the Summer Hill Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. In 1912 the name was changed to the Sydney Society of Model and Experimental Engineers and later shortened to the Sydney Society of Model Engineers.
In 1932 the club rented and then purchased a site on Parramatta Rd at Ashfield. The Society held its first exhibition in January 1933 and continued to operate on that site every Saturday until 1970. Changing technologies and model engineering interests necessitated larger premises. In October 1971 the Society opened its 10 hectare (25 acres) property at Luddenham.
The Model Park at Luddenham
For 55 years the S.S.M.E. Model Park supported 11 different sections catering for trains, boats, planes, cars, slot cars, tether cars, Largescale Offroad and stationary steam models and more.
Trains
Boats
Planes
Cars
Slot cars
Tether cars
Largescale Offroad
Stationary steam
and more
The Model Park was a 10 hectare rural property at 869 Luddenham Road in Sydney’s south western suburbs, approximately 50km from the city central business district.
Our next chapter: Razorback
The club held its final open day at Luddenham in July 2026. Because of airport development pressures, we are now relocating and rebuilding at a new site at Razorback, in the Macarthur/Wollondilly region. Follow the blog for news on the move, and for when we will be welcoming visitors again.