Station facilities for the travelling public on the narrow gauge line at Colac Railway Station were non-existent for many years. Tickets were purchased from the broad gauge booking office and the travellers then had to walk with their luggage over the rough, potentially ankle-twisting, stone approaches, through the goods yard and wait in the open amongst the mud holes alongside the narrow gauge departure track. In 1922 a footbridge was erected over the broad gauge lines, and a passenger shelter and small goods shed were built on the departure track.B/W. At Colac Railway Station, an locomotive 8A with five NQR wagons, an NM livestock wagon and a NBDBD combined passenger and brake van destined for Beech Forest, with either the driver or the fireman peering out of the engine, three youths standing at the front of the engine, and a group of people, including a woman, standing near the livestock wagon. A multi-storied shed and two houses are in the background. 179mm x 280mm picture.colac; railway; narrow gauge; na locomotive;

Originally named 'McInnes' after a local selector, this station opened during construction of the Crowes railway on 1 May 1911. The name was altered to Weeaproinah, the second station of that name, on 9 December 1912, after the parish in which the station was situated. (The original 'Weeaproinah' on the railway became earlier 'Dinmont' in the Olangolah Parish.) The station comprised a passenger shelter and a loop siding with a ramped platform for a sheep and pig race. A departmental residence was built for a track repairer based at the station, but no station or caretaker staff were employed there. The residence was burnt down during the 1919 bushfire but it was replaced and remained in use as a departmental residence until 1930. Weeaproinah became an unattended crossing station in December 1927 under the Train Section Order system.B/W. Weeaproinah mallee shed. In the shed there are five large wall-mounted posters and a cream can. An unlocked door with a "Skins / Hides" poster gives access the inside. A tree trunk stands to the right.weeaproinah; railways; shed;

Wimba station opened with the line in March 1902 as an unnamed stopping place, and a water tank for locomotive requirements was placed on the side of a hill about 100 metres south of the station. Locos bound for Beech Forest stopped at the passenger shelter at the station, uncoupled, and moved forward to the water tank. Goods were loaded and unloaded during this pause. The station and the tank closed with the line.B/W. Engine 14A, an NUU louvre van and an NC guard's van at the Wimba Tank, with fireman L. Moore on the roof of the cabin running water into the engine's tank. The guard returns to his van.wimba; railways; water tank;

This original station on the Colac-Beech Forest line was first known as "Moorbanool" after the local parish, and then shortened to "Banool" on 1 November 1904. At first facilities consisted of a passenger shelter, a loop siding for 11 trucks, plus a residence for the ganger of the track gang based there. By 1912 with the extension of the line to Crowes increased train services on the line required a crossing station in this section of the track, and therefore Banool became a staff and ticket station with a crossing loop and home signals. However, this only lasted for two years and was abolished as an economy measure in 1916. Loading figures show that in most years the outwards tonnage at Banool was less than 150 tonnes. The station was reduced to a passenger shelter and goods loop only by 1929, and by the time of closure in 1962 most trains were steaming through.Colour. Locomotive G42 and its NQR goods wagons, loaded and unloaded, steaming past Banool station passenger shelter. 143mm x 274mm print.banool; moorbanool; railways; locomotive g42;

While one of the lesser prime loading points sawn and split timber were loaded at Beech Forest, and a large share of this was brought to the station over two timber tramways that operated between 1904 and 1933. At the eastern end of the railway yard, near the six-ton derrick crane, a wooden tramline curved out the gate and along the road for about 8 km (5 miles) to the co-operative Box Company, known locally as the Box mill, owned by the Victorian Diary Farmers' Co-operative whose purpose was the milling of butter boxes. Other millers also provided timber. Logs were hauled to the mill by horses, and the sawn timber despatched over a tramline that joined the Box mill line about 1.2 km (0.75 miles) along. B/W. Two men loading puncheons (a short post approximately 4 feet [1.2 metres] especially used for supporting a roof in a coal mine) on a NQR wagon at Beech Forest. Note the lack of trees in the background.beech forest; railways; puncheons;

B/W. Led by locomotive G42, the last NBH excursion carriage passenger train near Friend's Road, Tulloh, on 31 March 1962.tulloh; railways; loco g42;

In February 1959 eight NBH carriages were tranfered from storage at Newport to Colac in time for the first tentatively organized trip over the Colac-Beech Forest railway line. Eventually seventeen excursion trains ran, with carriages and an NC guard's van, usually hauled by G41 or G42, but occasionally 14A locomotive. The train run by 14A ran soon after the carriages were delivered.B/W. At McDevitt station locomotive 14A passes through on a rare NA-hauled eight excursion carriage and NC guard's van train. The front of the engine is labelled "The Ridge; 21 M(arch) 1959; ARHS", the Australian Railways Historical Society.colac; beech forest; railways; mcdevitt;

Colour. Locomotive G42 shunting in the Beech Forest railway yard on 5 June 1957. In the background, an NUU louvred van, and behind that the Goods Shed and the water tank for the sawmill. 135mm x 279mm print.beech forest; railways; loco g42;

B/W. An aerial view of Beech Forest showing the balloon loop at the end of the station yard (enclosing the two tennis courts), two ex-departmental residences, the station buildings, and other aspects of the township.beech forest: railways; township; aerial;

B/W. Aerial view of Beech Forest showing the complete station yard including the balloon loop (incorporating the two tennis courts), two ex-departmental residences, the station building and where the Colac and Crowes lines diverged. As well Beech Forest Hall, council offices and Shire Secretary's house, Denherts Track, and Main Road are shown.beech forest; railways; township; aerial;

B/W. Between Dinmont and Ditchley, a man on a railway bridge overlooking a waterfall in 1919. dinmont; ditchley; beech forest; waterfall; railways;

Victoria is not noted for its waterfalls but in fact there are many hundreds of beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout the state. Each waterfall is different from the next, some remarkably so. Consider the amazing Hopetoun Falls surrounded by lush rainforest ferns near Beech Forest, compared to the often snow-covered Piemans Falls crashing down to the bottom of Bryce Gorge. This publication documents many of the more accessible waterfalls of Victoria, some for the first time, and many close to Melbourne. Ideal for bushwalkers, photographers, campers, or those who are interested in a healthy walk or looking for somewhere to enjoy a pinic lunch. There is nothing better than doing so at the base of a majestic waterfall with the spray drifing across the rock face and the unique sound of the water tumbling into the drop pool below.250 Victorian waterfalls. Ray Barber. Ian Wacey. 1st ed. Ian Wacey; Eltham North (Vic); 2011. 320 p.; illus., map, references, index. Soft cover. ISBN 978 0 646 54331 4waterfalls; ray barber; ian wacey;, victoria;

Colour. On Melbourne's Royal Agricultural Show in September, 1954, at Dinmont an UP goods train hauled by G42 is taking on water.dinmont; railways

The official opening of the Colac-Beech Forest railway took place on Wednesday, 26th February, 1902. On a typical Beech Forest wet day the train halted at the bottom of Gardner Hill for the opening party led by the State Governor, Sir George Sydenham Clarke, to walk up to the Ditchley Park Hotel for the official banquet in the adjoining hall. The menu of four courses plus coffee was assembed by the caterer, Chas. D. Straker. The toast list was led as usual by a toast to the King, followed by 18 toasts concluded by the Acting Commissioner of Railways.B/W. The menu and toast list at the opening of the Colac-Beech Forest Railway on Wednesday, 26th February, 1902, at Beech Forest. 128mm x 264mm actual

Originally known as "Moorbanool" after the local parish, the name was shortened to Banool on 1 November 1904. At first facilities consisted of a loop siding for eleven trucks and a passenger shelter, plus a residence for the ganger for the track gang based there. Increasing train services on the line required a crossing station in this section of track, so in 1913 Banool became a 'Staff & Ticket' station with a crossing loop, home signals, and a station office, although this only lasted two years. Loading statistics showed that in most years the outwards tonnage at Banool was less than 150 tonnes. From 1924 the amount of timber despatched began a slow rise, but apart from a few years activity was generally slack. The crossing loop, the usually empty goods loop being used if necessary, the home signals and its status as a staff station being removed over the period 1923-27. The track ganger shelter was removed around 1929 and the station reduced to a passenger shelter and goods loop only.B/W. A goods train passing Banool Station, c.1940.

B/W. Tracks 1 to 4 at Beech Forest, an NA-class locomotive and goods on No.1, an NQR wagon on No.4, and a station building in the right, in the early 1900s. 167mm x 280mm print.beech forest, train, wagon, railway, tracks, train station

For two years after the opening of the Colac-Beech Forest railway line trains were preceded by a ganger on a trolley to ensure no landslips or wash-a-ways created a danger to the trains. Afterwards the trains continued on their own. The line was built as cheaply as possible, "a mere skeleton of a railway" as one Victorian Railways spokesperson commented. With earthworks specified to the bare minimum landslips in the cuttings and wash-a-ways in sloping areas were always a problem, particularly in the early years before the works had time to settle. The line to Crowes was built to open in 1911 and a wash-a-way between Lavers Hill and Crowes was only to be expected. B/W. 8A locomotive, with driver and fireman, and a mounted repair gang attending a wash-a-way just past Lavers Hill in 1913.183mm x 260mm print.

From the 9th April until the 8th July 1896 the Victorian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, chaired by Mr. Cameron with members from both houses, took evidence on three narrow gauge extensions from broad gauge railway stations in the area, the Beech Forest Extension from Colac, the McDonald's Track Extension from Warragul, and the Drouin and Poowong East Extension from Drouin.Minutes of Evidence, Beech Forest Narrow-Gauge Extension. Minutes of Evidence, McDonald's Track Narrow-Gauge Extension. Minutes of Evidence, Drouin and Poowong East Narrow-Gauge Extension. Victorian Parliamentary Papers; Melbourne (Vic); April-July, 1896. 60 p. (VPARL1896-97 No 42)

From the beginning of World War 1 in August, 1914, until it ended in November, 1918, teachers from across Victoria enlisted for the Australian Imperial Force and embarked for overseas. Anzac, the Sinai Desert, the vast fields of France, and in Palestine the Education Department soldier-teachers toiled manfully thoughout. Of the 752 enlistments 724 were teachers, two were School Medical Officers, one was a School Nurse, one an Inspector of Schools, while the remaining 24 belonged to the clerical division employed by the Education Department. 146 died. But it was not only teachers who contributed to the war effort. Children and parents gave 400,000 articles of comfort sent abroad, contributed as a rough estimate 460 tons of supplies to hospitals at home, made contributions of £50,000 to The Young Workers' Patriotic Guild, and £217,419 for the war savings effort in the schools, and £422, 470 in general school subscriptions.Hardcover book, bound with brown cloth cover and gold embossed title containing 306 pages, black and white photographs and illustrations and text. This book, published to keep before teachers and children expamples of service and sacrifice in a great cause, is presented to the Hordern Vale School. It should be kept in an honoured place as a souirce of guidance and inspiration for successive generations.great war, wwi, victoria, education department victoria, teachers, enlistments, honors, decorations, war service records, first world war, world war one

The terminus of the railway, and the southern-most station on the Australian mainland, was Crowes, approximately 2 kilometres from Lavers Hill. The line ended at "The Black Stump". Crowes was designed as a fully functioning terminus and received a complete instalment of facilities. The site was laid out with three roads plus a dead end siding for a locomotive shed and ash pit. Goods sheds, a platform and livestock ramps catered for freight loadings, while on the north side was a station office, waiting room, parcels shed and passenger shelter. Three departmental residences were also provided. The resident Station Master was withdrawn in November 1916 and the station closed with the line on 10 December 1954.Photograph. Terminus of the Colac-Crowes at Crowes.crowes; terminus; "the black stump";

In 1902 a ballast siding was opened 4km south of Gellibrand to provide materials for track construction. A spur siding, with points facing Beech Forest and a capacity for six trucks, was cut into the side of a slope. Above this was erected a loading bin and chute. The stone proved to be of durable quality so the siding continued in commission after 1902 for track re-ballasting work. By the mid-1920s Victorian Railways found it more economic to use ballast from Penshurst, so the siding was closed by 1925 and the rails lifted.Photograph; B/W. Gellibrand Ballast Loading Sitegellibrand; ballast; railways; siding;

Photograph, B/W. Locomotive G41 derailed at the "Black Stump" at Crowes on 7 August 1942. Actual photo: 169mm x 276mmcrowes; garratt; g41; derailment; "black stump";

In 1903, before the extension to Crowes, Beech Forest Railway Station was the terminus, already 3 roads wide with Station building, outshed, Goods Shed, and three small departmental residences. An NQR wagon near the Goods Shed is loading timber while a further NQR wagon sits outside the station building.Photograph, B/W, 174mm x 267mm. Beech Forest Railway Station, 1903.beech forest; railways; station;

Six surveyors and a horse posing outside five tents somewhere on the Beech Forest line in approximately 1901.Photograph, B/W. Railway survey camp, Beech Forest line.survey camp; beech forest; railways;

Photograph, B/W, A4. Railway bridge over the Gellibrand River with people standing at the right-hand end, a railway water tank nearby on the left, and a tent underneath on the left.gellibrand, gellibrand river;railways; bridge;

Photograph, B/W, A4. Near the Weeaproinah railway station (later known as Dinmont railway station) in 1907. Note the trolley with two men aboard following the line on the left-hand side.weeaproinah; dinmont; railways;

James Robbins and Mary Jane Ellery were married on 23 April, 1829, in Stoke Lane, St Michael, Somerset, and had six children. James died aged 51 on 7 December, 1845. Mary married again to John Boyce less than twelve months later, and they had a further three children. John and Mary Boyce (Robbins nee Ellery) came to Port Adelaide, South Australia, on the "Flora Kerr" on the 4 March, 1855, with eight of their nine children. Hannah Robbins stayed in England, probably married. On the same ship another daughter, Ann Robbins, came out with her husband, John Treasure, who had already been to Australia searching for gold. From these unions, several generations of children were recorded, the book exploring their lives. James Robbins, 26 November 1794-7 December 1845, and Mary Jane Ellery, 1810-5 September 1889. Doris Robbins. Self published; Colac (Vic); February 1998. 560 p.; illus. Soft cover.stoke lane; st michael; somerset; port adelaide; victoria; tatura; castlemaine;

James Robbins was born on 9 February, 1869. He married Martha Owen (nee Burch) on 9 October, 1889, in Adelaide, South Australia. After having two children by her first marriage James and Martha went on to have seven children of their own, all except one surviving. James settled in Beech Forest in 1887, travelling to and from Tatura for two years before finally settling in Beech Forest. He had a number of jobs including Director of the Beech Forest Butter Factory, farmer, bullock wagon driver, and butcher. He died in Colac. James' predecessors and his successors are spelt out.Ancestors and descendants of the family of James and Martha Robbins, 1760-1990. Doris Robbins. Self published; Colac (Vic); 1990. 67 p.; illus. Soft cover.james robbins; martha owen; beech forest; tatura; colac; rushworth;