When Col Walter retired he needed something to fill his time and after seeing the removal of a historic house, Mr Walter decided that some record of the old Cairns needed to be kept.
With no training or experience, Mr Walter decided to start building miniature versions of Cairns historic buildings.
He now has a display at the Pier shopping centre where people can wander through his display of miniature buildings dating from 1883 through to the 1930's.
"I woke up one morning and saw an old building being demolished and I said to myself I'm going to rebuild that house in miniature and from that I decided to start rebuilding miniature Cairns," he said.
"All the buildings are made from a mixture of dowel, mixing sticks, matches, weatherboard and cardboard."
Over the past 12 years Mr Walter has built hundreds of miniature buildings from Cairns past which he researches with the help of local libraries, historical organisations and photos from locals.
Mr Walter is a returned Vietnam veteran who said that working on his miniature village has helped him with his mental health.
"This is the best thing for me, working with my hands and the concentration that it takes," he said
"My doctor said this is the best thing for my mental health as it gives me a reason to get up in the morning and chat with people who pop into the shop."
Mates and Trains
President of the Cairns model railway club John King said there was more to the club than just trains.
"At any given time, we could have half a dozen people or so here at the club house who would normally be at home watching TV," he said.
"Instead, here they are with other people enjoying themselves, it's a great way to socially interact."
Mr King said part of the enjoyment is working with his hands being able to build something from scratch.
"I'm 80 years old and I think I'm as young as anyone in their 30s and 40's," he said.
"It's a way of keeping yourself occupied and you always have something to look forward too.
"I get a lot of enjoyment out of making models and I also get a lot of enjoyment out of watching our members build and play trains."
The Cairns Model Railway club recently found a new home at the Raintrees shopping centre, and a new layout thanks to a high-profile benefactor.
"About three weeks ago we relocated, and people can now see our layouts as they walk past to do their shopping," he said.
"We have several large layouts which have all been donated, including our largest layout which was donated by the bush tucker man Major Les Hiddins."
Planes, tanks and automobiles
Scott Collingwood is hoping to start a model club in Cairns for anyone who is interested in building static models of aeroplanes, tanks and automobiles.
"There's a social aspect of getting together to share and compare notes on what we are working on," he said.
"There are also the historical factors that we like researching."
Mr Collingwood said that working on models with like minded people is good for his mental health.
"It's that divergence from the everyday, it gives you something to focus on, something that is detailed that you have to put a bit effort into," he said.
"It's rewarding because the more effort you put into it the more reward that you get back.
"We are hoping to start a club that has a social aspect and is also a meeting of minds."
A meeting of mates and minds
Lead Clinical Adviser for Beyond Blue Dr Grant Blashki said that social connectedness can play a big part in helping with mental health issues.
"You don't want to wake up in the morning with no plans and no real reason for getting up, that's not great for your mental health," he said
"When people get into a rut, their mind is just full of negative thoughts," he said.
"Getting your brain into the here and now by meeting people and making and fixing things can help.
"A big part of recovering from a mental health issue can be that beautiful creative absorption that you get when you're lost in something that is hands on or is artistic."
