For the Permanent Way Institution New South Wales (PWI NSW), 2025 was a year of steady progress.
Widely recognised as one of the largest and most active sections of the PWI worldwide, the New South Wales section continues to raise the standard for technical content, networking, and value across its annual program of events.
That momentum was clearly visible in Newcastle at PWI NSW’s 51st Annual Convention, and again on the synthetic pitches of Caringbah for the inaugural Railway Soccer Cup. Both events showcased what the institution does best: uniting the rail infrastructure community to address serious industry questions, while also providing opportunities to reconnect as colleagues and friends.
As we roll further into 2026, PWI NSW is framing the year as one of connection and collaboration. A year in which the industry is encouraged not just to participate in events, but to help shape the conversations that will define the next decade of rail in New South Wales.
At the crossroads of freight and passenger rail
The 2025 PWI NSW Annual Convention, held at the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre (NEX) on 30-31 October, 2025, focused on the theme “At the Crossroads – Freight v Passenger”.
Over two days, attendees discussed a key issue for the network: how to balance the long-term needs of freight and passenger services on a limited rail system, while still providing safe, reliable, and affordable services for the communities reliant on rail.
The program included keynote speeches, technical papers, and panel discussions, with a practical element. A pre-registration and networking event at the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)’s Port Waratah Provisioning Centre in Carrington gave delegates a chance to see how heavy haul operations are managed first-hand, setting the tone for a convention focused on real-world practice rather than theory.
The keynote speakers emphasised a mix of strategy and practice. Jacqueline Linke, Director of Greater Sydney Client Engagement and Delivery IT at Transport for NSW, started the event with a breakfast address that challenged attendees to rethink leadership, influence, and the so-called “soft” skills that help technical professionals drive change across complex organisations.
Later in the day, Wayne Johnson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the ARTC, drew on more than 15 years of experience in resources, freight, and logistics to examine the freight/passenger balance from a national perspective. His address anchored the debate in the realities of interstate freight corridors, regional export supply chains, and the sustained capital needed to keep those assets fit for purpose.
Throughout the sessions, several themes kept emerging:
The need to move beyond “either/or” thinking and develop integrated solutions that acknowledge the mutual value of freight and passenger networks.
The importance of systems thinking – viewing rail not as a stand-alone asset but as part of broader city-shaping, freight, energy, and land-use systems.
The necessity to build and retain skills, especially in track and rail systems disciplines, as major projects transition into long-term operations and maintenance phases.
What elevated the Newcastle convention was not just the calibre of speakers, but the depth of engagement – asset owners, contractors, consultants, suppliers, and government agencies used breaks, networking events, and question and answer sessions to challenge assumptions and test ideas.
That culture of open, respectful debate is increasingly characteristic of PWI NSW conventions and is vital to the institution’s role as a neutral forum where the entire industry can collaborate to tackle the big questions.
Soccer boots and conversation
If Newcastle was traditionally where the industry gathered to debate the future of rail, Caringbah was where it came to reconnect on a different level.
On Friday, 10 October 2025 – fittingly, International Mental Health Day – PWI NSW and the Rail Track Association Australia (RTAA) co-hosted the inaugural Railway Soccer Cup at 5Sports in Caringbah. The five-a-side tournament invited teams from across the rail industry to swap their hi-vis for the football jerseys.
The event was intentionally more than just a social gathering. In partnership with industry groups and health charities, the cup aimed to promote mental health and wellbeing through sport, encouraging meaningful conversations and providing a relaxed setting for colleagues to check in with each other.
Each team selected a charity of their choice, and at the end of the tournament, the organisers pledged a $500 donation to the winning team’s charity. RTAA and PWI then matched that amount, adding an extra $1000, turning a day of sport into a tangible support for community groups.
Additionally, heart health checks were available on-site, emphasising the connection between physical health, mental wellbeing, and long-term fitness – a message that struck a chord in an industry where shift work, risky environments, and ongoing pressure are everyday realities.
Feedback from teams was straightforward and consistent: it was a fantastic day. Players shared their joy at donning a jersey alongside colleagues they usually only see on Teams, meeting competitors in a different setting, and involving younger staff in an inclusive, fun, and relaxed way. For many, the Soccer Cup became a highlight of the year and an immediate “must-do” on the events calendar.
Anchoring 2026
PWI NSW is gearing up for a 2026 program shaped by intentional reconnection and deeper collaboration across the industry. This isn’t a change in direction, but rather an enhancement of what already makes the institution distinctive: its capacity to bring people together in meaningful, practical, and forward-looking ways.
The 2026 events calendar again features the key gatherings that have become synonymous with PWI NSW.
- April – Golf Day
- May – Executive Breakfast
- June – Winter Dinner
- August – PWI Annual General Meeting
- September/October – Railway Soccer Cup
- October – Annual Convention
These flagship events are supported by a consistent series of technical meetings, regional visits, online sessions, site tours, and networking opportunities. Together, they establish a rhythm that encourages members and partners to stay engaged all year round, rather than only at major events.
As major New South Wales projects progress through construction, commissioning, and operational transition, and as the pipeline of future works develops, the need for open, cross-organisational collaboration becomes even more critical.
The technical meetings, site visits, and online learning sessions held throughout the year will continue to be crucial in providing industry members with insights, knowledge, and exposure to real-world applications. In 2026, the institution aims to diversify its topics, locations, and contributors, ensuring the program stays aligned with the changing needs of a modern rail sector.
The Annual Convention will again serve as the culmination of these discussions. While the 2025 theme focused on freight versus passenger priorities, the 2026 convention will continue to explore strategic questions that require collective input. The goal is not just to convey information but to bring together the people who can turn it into action.
A year driven by community, participation and purpose
As New South Wales rail embarks on another year of major infrastructure projects, network reform, and operational changes, PWI NSW’s role in building community becomes even more critical.
The institution’s strength lies in connecting people — from track and civil workers to systems engineers, planners, executives, and emerging leaders.
2026 will build on that strength by encouraging members to participate more broadly, contribute more openly and reconnect more intentionally. Whether through a technical paper, a conversation during a site tour, a table at the Winter Dinner or a five-a-side match in the Soccer Cup, each interaction strengthens the fabric of the industry.
PWI NSW starts 2026 with confidence, clarity, and purpose. The message to the industry is clear: this year is about reconnecting, collaborating, and supporting the community that has backed rail professionals for over 50 years.
