Gordon Docking of the Miami Railway Station Museum was recently presented with an Award of Merit for his years of service to the museum.

Docking has been a board member for the museum since 1995 and was pleased to receive the award from the Association of Manitoba Museums. He was nominated by fellow board member, Joan Driedger.

Gordon Docking and his wife co-chair the museum's board. (Photo courtesy of Joan Driedger.)"It's been a real wonderful experience in many ways. We've met and come in contact with people from the federal government, provincial government, municipal government, from private foundations to many of the business community. It really has been a truly gratifying time," says Docking.

He says support for the museum has been increasing in the past few years, and over the two months that they are open in the year, attendance has reached over 1,000 visitors.

"We've had the roof re-shingled, we've had amazing repairs to the windows . . . we had leaks that needed to be patched and repaired, we're getting new freight shed doors, and of course, the big thing is we have a new platform to replace the one that was taken down in the 1980's," says Driedger.

She says that Docking has been an important player in getting a number of grants for the museum so that these repairs were possible. As well, they plan to add a wheel-chair accessible ramp next, so that more people can access the unique museum.

The museum is a National Historic Site and a Municipal Heritage Site, and Docking adds, "it's a pretty special building. It's the last one of its architectural style still standing. We're very proud of it."

This is why Docking believes the award is a victory for the whole museum including staff, the approximately 20 yearly volunteers, summer students, financial supporters, and the surrounding community.

He adds, they will always welcome more people who are willing to help keep the museum running, and a staple of Miami, MB.