We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Ballarat Tramway Museum
Newspaper clipping (Adelaide Advertiser 26/3/1956), titled "Tape visible from 500ft" with photo and caption of a F class drop centre tram with new reflecting tape on front of drivers cabs and visibility at 500 feet.
Record updated and image added 21/9/2013.
Document regarding the abandonment of tramways in Ballarat and Bendigo. Presented to State Parliament Sept. 1970 by the MInister for Fuel and Power, the Hon J C M Balfour MLA. Outlines the losses incurred by the SEC, replacement public transport system, the worn out nature of the system, the gifting of one Bendigo tramcar to the AETM, costs of track repairs and new trramcars, tenders for replacement bus services, retrenchment payments to staff, reconstruction of existing roads following removal of the tracks, and town planning and traffic aspects. Includes a photo of a bus and interior seating. A graph from 1934 to 1970 shows the service miles, passengers carried, average fare, expenditure, revenue and loss, along with dates of major fare revisions.
Yields information about the 1970 proposal to close Ballarat and Bendigo tramway systems which was successful despite previous attempts when the Bolte Governments did not have the numbers in the upper house.
Document 16 Quarto sheets, duplicated and one sheet with a folded colour graph.
In ink on front sheet "D/T/S"
tramways, ballarat, bendigo, abandonment, closure, parliament
Photograph - Black and white of Ballarat tram No. 40 parked at the Sebastopol tram terminus. The conductor has lowered the trolley pole and is tying the rope off. The tram has an SEC Electric Cooking roof advertisement and the destination of Lydiard St Nth. In the background is the Royal Mail Hotel. Not known who took the photo during Jan. 1966.
Yields information about the appearance of tram No. 40 during Jan 1966 and the Sebastopol terminus.
Black and white photograph on Ilford paper.
In ink on rear "Gardens 1/66"
tramways, wendouree parade, gardens loop, tramcars, tram 40
Photograph - Black and white of Ballarat tram No. 31 parked at Gardens Loop in Wendouree Parade. In the background are the large trees that were a feature of this location and on the pole behind the tram, the timetable boards. Not known who took the photo on a very quiet day during Jan. 1966.
Yields information about the appearance of tram No. 31 during Jan 1966 and Gardens Loop.
Black and white photograph on Ilford paper.
In ink on rear "Gardens 1/66"
tramways, wendouree parade, gardens loop, tramcars, tram 31
Photograph - Black and white of Ballarat tram No. 40 parked at Gardens Loop in Wendouree Parade. In the background are the large trees that were a feature of this location. Not known who took the photo during Jan. 1966. Note the two numbers on the front of the tram, as result of the installation of the dash canopy lighting.
Yields information about the appearance of tram No. 40 during Jan 1966 and Gardens Loop.
Black and white photograph on Ilford paper.
In ink on rear "Gardens 1/66"
tramways, tram 40, wendouree parade, gardens loop, tramcars
Report details the condition of the special work with associated drawings of the rail head showing wear at many points around the system. Includes the size and type of the rail and the location of the rail sampled, includes curves, special work, junctions and type of equipment, Dated 30-4-1958.
Demonstrates a detailed report into the condition and wear of the Ballarat Tramways trackwork in 1958.
Report - 8 typed foolscap sheets carbon copy within a manila card folder with steel clips containing about 50 drawings on light card sheet of rail sections.
Outside cover in ink "To accompany reprot to Manager on "Condition of Ballarat Tramways Special Work" dated 30-4-58"
ballarat, secv, trackwork, rails, special work, points, reports, tramwaysm
Newspaper report on the issue of the disposal of former SEC Bendigo trams following the closure of the system. The Adelaide-based tramway museum (AETM) was allocated Birney No. 29 by the SEC and agreed to by the Minister for Fuel and Power Mr Balfour. When they tried to collect it, the loading was stopped, with the agreement of the City of Bendigo, quoting Mayor Cr J P Pearce. The newspaper gives the background to the issue of the retention by Bendigo of the former SEC fleet. Following this action, no other tramcars that had been allocated at the time left Bendigo. In 1975, the Government paid the Bendigo Trust to reconstruct a Birney that had been scrapped before the closure of the Bendigo system which was given to the AETM. See the AETM website for further details - tram 303. Story by Barry Cail. See item 8779 for the Herald Sun report of the same date.
Yields information about the Bendigo system following closure and the retention of tramcars.
Newspaper - page 1 of The Bendigo Advertiser 24/10/1972 - newsprint
bendigo, tramcars, aetm, birney tramcars, tram 29, tram 303, adelaide, tramcar disposals
Photograph - night flash - shows tram 42 crossing the Lydiard St level crossing with a large crowd on board. Tram has the destination of depot. Given the tram number and the crowd, most likely the last tram from Lydiard St North to the depot. Tram 42 was recorded as the last to leave Lydiard St North on 19/9/1971. Not known who took the photograph.
Yields information about the last tram to cross the Ballarat Railway level crossing.
Black and white photograph on plain paper.
tramways, lydiard st north, level crossing, tram 42, last tram
Form used by the ESCo in the 1920s to record the details of the Motorman's or Driver's work for the day. Notes Name, date, tramcar, time on, off, routes, trips, meter (power or electricity use), remarks and defects. See item 2544 for a SECV version of the late 1930s. On the rear is a hand drawn image of a Mt Pleasant - Doveton St weekly ticket morning and evening trips. Priced 1/6d.
Demonstrates a form used to record the tramcar mileage on a daily basis.
Preprinted form on off white card, titled "Motorman's Record" with a hand drawn and coloured image of a Mt Pleasant Weekly ticket on the rear.
tramways, forms, tramcars, mileage, records, reports, esco, weekly tickets, mt pleasant
Form used to record daily tramcar mileage on a Provincial tramway. Records the tram, times, route, run, no. of trip and Mileage along with the Motorman's signature. Has a space for each branch or system to be filled in.
Demonstrates a form used to record the tramcar mileage on a daily basis.
Preprinted form - No TYE1-153 on light card.
tramways, forms, sec, secv, tramcars, mileage, records, reports
Form used to advise crews of the outcome of any breach or regulations by the Tramway Superintendent whether the explanation was satisfactory or not and whether it had been recorded on the Conduct Record Card. Used during the 1930s. See item 9122 for the report form and 5017 for a 1948 version.
Demonstrates a form used to advise crews of a breach of the rules etc and seeking an explananation.
Preprinted form - No TYE1-37, on plain off white paper.
tramways, forms, sec, secv, rules, behaviour
Form used to advise crews that they had been reported for a breach of Rule No. or Special Order No. etc. Has space for the date (1930s), Signature, date, time, and trip. Seeks the person's explanation which had to be in writing. Used post the SEC takeover of the Ballarat system. Headed the Electricity Supply Department of the SECV. See item 9123 for the subsequent form used.
Demonstrates a form used to advise crews of a breach of the rules etc and seeking an explananation.
Preprinted form - No TYE1-38, on plain off white paper.
tramways, forms, sec, secv, rules, behaviour
Published by Nucolorvue Productions of Moorabbin Vic. Features photos the Imperial Crown at the Shell House, Ballarat Post Office, looking west up Sturt St with a number of trams in the City Loop. It would appear that the trams have been fitted with dash canopy lightings which dates the photo to early 1960s to mid 1960s. As well Eureka Stockade, Civic Hall, Lake Wendouree, Bridge St from Stones Corner that shows the tramway overhead and signals, Arch of Victory, Sturt St Statuary and Gardens, Begonia House, The Gardens and the Floral Clock with the Town or City Hall.
Demonstrates a postcard folder produced by Nucolorvue.
Printed colour postcard folder titled "Ballarat The Begonia City", featuring a photo of begonias on the cover and an address box on the rear of the folder.
sturt st, city loop, postcards, gardens, lake wendouree, begonias, eureka stockade, shell house
SEC Ballarat No.36 in the 1950 or earlier in Wendouree Parade with the Lake in the background. Tram has the destination of Depot. The depot access tracks are in the foreground. See item 4529 for another photo looking the other way most likely taken at the same time.
Yields information about SEC Ballarat tram No. 36 - one of a series of official photographs early 1950 or earlier and the appearance of the tram.
Black and white photograph contained within item 9118.
secv, tramcars, tram 36, wendouree parade, depot junction
Photo album - with a photograph and typed details of a selection of the various trams in the fleet. Based on the date of the tram car mileages as at 31-3-1958, compiled during 1958. Not known who compiled it, but could have been the Tramway Superintendent Mr Denmead from SEC or other parties photos. All photos are common to the collection except for the one of tram 36 in Wendouree Parade at depot junction. Has sheets for: ESCo 2 - Power station - item 698 ESCo 2 - Sturt St advertising Jago boots - item 1710 ESC0 18 - Sturt St - Suttons advert - item 2490 ESCo 21 - Sebastopol type at depot - item 3002 ESCo 23 - Sebastopol type at depot - item 5142 SEC 17 - at depot junction - item 1714 SEC 19 - at depot - item 4525 SEC 21 - at depot - item 4526 SEC 22 - at depot - item 1360i7 SEC 23 - Gold tram at depot - item 1707i1 SEC 26 - at depot - item 4529 SEC 29 - at depot - item 541i1 SEC 30 - at depot - item 1706 SEC 36 - at depot junction - similar to item 4527, added as 9119 SEC 40 - at depot - 1355i1 Bendigo - silver star starch - item 1890.
Demonstrates the history of the SEC Ballarat fleet through a selection of photographs.
Album - 22 paper leaves, bound with grey end papers and grey plascticised cover with leather finish. Album produced by New Star. Photos secured with photo corners, typed sheets glued onto the leaf.
photo album, secv, tramcars, car fleet, tram 2, tram 18, esco, tram 21, tram 22, tram 23, tram 26, tram 29, tram 30, tram 36, tram 40
Lists for each weekday, the work done on each tram, who was on leave, and events or failures, derailments - shown in red ink, motormen examined.
Yields information about the Ballarat Workshop activities, tramcars maintained and events.
Printed and bound book - Collins Australian Diary No. 324 for 1965 - two pages per week, ruled with date and holiday information.
ballarat, tramcars, workshop records, workshops, maintenance
Lists for each weekday, the work done on each tram, who was on leave, and events or failures, derailments - shown in red ink, motormen examined.
Yields information about the Ballarat Workshop activities, tramcars maintained and events.
Printed and bound book - Collins Australian Diary No. 324 for 1964 - two pages per week, ruled with date and holiday information.
ballarat, tramcars, workshop records, workshops, maintenance
Lists for each weekday, the work done on each tram, who was on leave, and events or failures, derailments - shown in red ink, motormen examined,
Yields information about the Ballarat Workshop activities, tramcars maintained and events.
Printed and bound book - Invicta Australian Diary No. 4 for 1962 - two pages per week, ruled with date and holiday information.
ballarat, tramcars, workshop records, workshops, maintenance
Lists for each weekday, the work done on each tram, who was on leave, and events or failures, derailments - shown in red ink, motormen examined, Notes during June the completion of the work to install the dash canopy lights.
Yields information about the Ballarat Workshop activities, tramcars maintained and events.
Printed and bound book - Collins Australian Diary No. 324 for 1961 - two pages per week, ruled with date and holiday information.
ballarat, tramcars, workshop records, workshops, maintenance, dash canopy lights
"Discover Historic Sebastopol" - a guide to historic sites in Sebastopol. Has a map of locations or sites of interest, introduction, includes notes on trams, Royal Mail Hotel and the last tram. Published by Sebastopol Historical Society and the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre with design by Peter Lambert Design.
Yields information about the history of the Sebastopol district.
Pamphlet - 36 pages, colour stapled, DL size.
sebastopol, local history, tramways
Presentation to D J Irwin, the Depot Foreman at Geelong following the operation of the last tram No. 4 on 24 March 1956. Mr Irwin subsequently became the Depot Foreman in Ballarat. Would appear that the threaded knob is not part of the original conductor's bell as it does not fully screw into the bell housing.
Demonstrates a presentation to depot staff at the time of the closure of the Geelong system.
Part of conductors bell - brass fitted with a brass threaded knob.
Engraved "SEC Geelong Tramways Pres to D J Irwin D/F by BTS J Moore, Last tram 24-3-1956"
geelong, depot foreman, closure, conductors bell, d j irwin, j m moore
Photograph shows Geelong power station after completion.
Yields information about the Geelong Power station c1926
Black and white print on paper.
Plate number 1-8 in ink
tramways, geelong, mesco, power station
Photograph shows Geelong power station after completion.
Yields information about the Geelong Power station c1926
Black and white print on paper.
Plate number 1-8 in ink
tramways, geelong, mesco, power station
Photograph shows Geelong power station after completion.
Yields information about the Geelong Power station c1926
Black and white print on paper.
Plate number 1-8 in ink
tramways, geelong, mesco, power station
Photograph of an ESCo Bendigo tram with its crew and a passenger. The tram has the destination lettering of Quarry Hill & Eaglehawk. Illustrates the tram appearance of 1908, showing the seating and step board arrangements which were different to that of Ballarat at the time. Also provides information about the uniforms and badges worn. Two crew named as Motorman Parkman and Conductor C Campbell. Most likely from the Basil Miller collection.
Yields information about Bendigo tramcars during 1908
Photograph, black and white with notes on rear.
In ink on rear "Bendigo, Motorman Parkman, Conductor C Campbell, view of 1908"
tramways, trams, bendigo, esco, crews
Photograph of Bendigo sprinkler or scrubber tram taken at the depot. Shows the equipment provided on the tram and the lights for night working. The tram was replaced in 1954 by cross bench tram No. 17, converted for this purpose. One of a series of 7 photos (items 9108 to 9114) possibly taken at the time of the SEC takeover in 1934 to illustrate the type of tram that was being used at Bendigo. Possibly an SEC report photo. Based on the book Destination Eaglehawk, most likely from the Basil Miller collection.
Yields information about Bendigo scrubber of sprinkler tram during the early 1930s.
Photograph, black and white with notes on rear.
In ink on rear "Scrubber car and water tank (as at present 1947)", and Ken Magor stamp.
tramways, trams, bendigo, esco, scrubber, sprinkler tram
Photograph of Bendigo crossbench or toastrack tram No. 18 at the depot. Demonstrates the layout of seats etc. One of a series of 7 photos (items 9108 to 9114) possibly taken at the time of the SEC takeover in 1934 to illustrate the type of tram that was being used at Bendigo. Possibly an SEC report photo. Based on the book Destination Eaglehawk, most likely from the Basil Miller collection.
Yields information about Bendigo tram 18 during the early 1930s.
Photograph, black and white with notes on rear.
In ink on rear "No. 18 Summer car, as existing at present", and Ken Magor stamp.
tramways, trams, bendigo, esco, tram 18
Photograph of Bendigo Tram 12 with the tramcar number on the side in ESCo red and cream livery. Shows the seating arrangement with the outside seating facing inwards. Has a roof advertisement for "Leggo's". One of a series of 7 photos (items 9108 to 9114) possibly taken at the time of the SEC takeover in 1934 to illustrate the type of tram that was being used at Bendigo. Possibly an SEC report photo. Based on the book Destination Eaglehawk, most likely from the Basil Miller collection.
Yields information about Bendigo tram 12 during the early 1930s.
Photograph, black and white with notes on rear.
In ink on rear "No. 12 - Prior to 1934, and Ken Magor stamp.
tramways, trams, bendigo, esco, tram 12
Photograph of Bendigo Tram 11 with the tramcar number on the side in ESCo red and cream livery. Shows the seating arrangement with the outside seating facing inwards. This tram remained in service until 1947. Has a roof advertisement "Drink United Invalid Stout". One of a series of 7 photos (items 9108 to 9114) possibly taken at the time of the SEC takeover in 1934 to illustrate the type of tram that was being used at Bendigo. Possibly an SEC report photo. Based on the book Destination Eaglehawk, most likely from the Basil Miller collection.
Yields information about Bendigo tram 11 during the early 1930s.
Photograph, black and white with notes on rear.
In ink on rear "No. 11 - Prior to 1934, and Ken Magor stamp.
tramways, trams, bendigo, esco, tram 11
Photograph of Bendigo Tram 9 with the tramcar number on the side in ESCo red and cream livery. Shows the seating arrangement with the outside seating facing inwards. This tram was modified in 1945 to enclose the ends. See item 4342 for further details. One of a series of 7 photos (items 9108 to 9114) possibly taken at the time of the SEC takeover in 1934 to illustrate the type of tram that was being used at Bendigo. Possibly an SEC report photo. Based on the book Destination Eaglehawk, most likely from the Basil Miller collection.
Yields information about Bendigo tram 9 during the early 1930s.
Photograph, black and white with notes on rear.
In ink on rear "No. 9 - Prior to 1934, ie before State Electricty Commission took over" and Ken Magor stamp.
tramways, trams, bendigo, esco, tram 9
Photograph of Bendigo Tram No 8 at the depot entrance. Originally an ESCo tram and taken over by the SEC in 1934. Painted with an SEC logo and lining. Shows the seating layout. One of a series of 7 photos (items 9108 to 9114) possibly taken at the time of the SEC takeover in 1934 to illustrate the type of tram that was being used at Bendigo. Possibly an SEC report photo. Based on the book Destination Eaglehawk, most likely from the Basil Miller collection.
Yields information about Bendigo tram 8 during the mid 1930s.
Photograph, black and white with notes on rear.
In ink on rear "No. 8 prior to 1934, and Ken Magor stamp.
tramways, trams, bendigo, tram 8, secv
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
