The tram was built in 1914 for the Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust and had the number 42. It was sold to the State Electricity Commission in 1951 and renumbered 39. Lismore Lions Club bought it in 1971 and displayed it in a recreational reserve until the Ballarat Museum purchased it in 1976. the Museum converted it into a museum display and souvenir centre at the depot until the new Museum building was opened in 2022.Large coloured photograph of a tram, laminated. Sign outside - Museum Display EntryTram green and cream number 39 in gold on ends and sides. City Oval in destination window. Advertising boards on top of tram.tram 39, 1914, prahran and malvern tramways trust, tram 42, state electricity commission, 1951, lismore lions club, ballarat tramway museum, 1976, museum and souvenir shop, new museum 2022

This tram was built in 1914 for thr Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust and was No 42. It was sold to the State Electricity Commission in 1951 and renumbered 39. When the Ballarat Tramways closed in 1971, it was purchased by the Lismore Lions Club and displayed in a recreational reserve until purchased by the Museum in 1976 and converted into a museum display and souvenir centre located at the depot until the new Museum building was opened in 2022. This photo taken in 1971. It may have been taken on its last trip. Victorian Collection (Ballarat) Item 10755 has 16 images of the tram being moved from Lismore to Ballarat in 1976. Photograph taken by Campbell Duncan.Black and white photograph of Ballarat tram 39.tram 42, built 1914, prahran and malvern tramways trust, state electricity commission, 1951, ballarat tramways, tram 39, closure of ballarat trams, 1971, lismore lions club, 1976, museum disply, souvenir centre, new museum building, 2022, item 10755, campbell duncan, photographer

Tram 39 was built in 1914 for the Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust. In 1951 it was sold to the State Electricity Commission, Ballarat, and renumbered 39. When the Ballarat Tramways closed in 1971, it was sold to Lismore Lions Club and displayed in a recreational reserve. Ballarat Tramway Museum purchased the tram in 1976 and converted it into a museum display and souvenir centre. This was used until the new Museum building was opened in 2022. These photos show the process of loading the tram onto a truck in Lismore and bringing it back to Ballarat. The date of this was 9 May 1976. All photographs were taken by the donor, Campbell Duncan. Each photograph has information written on the back. .1 Lismore, 8/5/76 .2 Lismore, 8/5/76 .3 39 waits to be jacked down - truck ready to depart.9/5/76 .4 Truck has pulled out after 39 jacked up from it. Truck faces back down the driveway. 9/5/76. .5 Lismore. 9/5/76 .6 Lismore. 9/5/76 .7 Lismore. 9/5/76 .8 Lismore. 9/5/76 .9 Mair Street Ballarat East 9/5/76 .10 Mair Street Ballarat East 9/5/76 .11 Victoria Street Ballarat East 9/5/76 .12 Victoria Street Ballarat East 9/5/76 .13 Ballarat East, Victoria Street 9/5/76 .14 Victoria Street Ballarat East 9/5/76 .15 Victoria Street. Truck about to back down driveway 9/5/76. (this photo was used in Ballarat Courier of 15/5/76) See photo 10212. .16 Truck pulling out from under 39. 39's storage shed, Victoria Street Ballarat East 9/5/76. Sixteen black and white photographs taken of Tram 39 being transported from Lismore to Ballarat.Photo information on back of each phototram 39, 1914, prahran and malvern tramways trust, sec ballarat, 1951, lismore lions club, 1971, recreational reserve, ballarat tramway museum, 1976, museum display, souvenir centre, museum opened 2022, victoria street, ballarat east, may 1976 photos, photographer, campbell duncan, mair street, storage shed

Leslie William Cole was born on 31 January 1920 in Albury, the first child of William James Cole and Gwendoline Fair. Les spent most of his childhood living with his grandparents in Bethanga, Victoria. In 1934 when he finished school, Les moved into Wodonga. His first job was at Mates Timber Yard. He later worked for Mylons of Wodonga driving taxis and buses. In 1939 after completing militia training, Les applied to enlist with the RAAF and eventually trained as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was posted to the 6th Squadron, serving in Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island before returning to the RAAF base in Sale, Victoria. On discharge. Les returned to Wodonga and resumed working with Mylons. After a range of jobs, Les and his wife Lorna operated a shop in Ariel Street, Wodonga. In the community, Les was a founding member of Wodonga Lions Club. He also joined the Civil Defence which was a predecessor off the SES. He became the Communications Officer and trained other members. Les became the first Controller of the Wodonga Branch of the State Emergency Service, a position he held for 17 years. The new SES headquarters was named in his honour. In retirement he also worked as a Volunteer Community Driver. Les was also named Wodonga Citizen of the Year in 1984 Les continued living in Wodonga until the age of 103 in 2023, when he moved to Melbourne to be closer to his children. He passed away on 12 December 2023. The Lions Club of Wodonga was chartered in 1965 with 18 Founding Members including Les Cole. Lions Australia was first formed in Lismore, NSW in September and has grown to be Australia’s largest service club organisation.A small purple and gold fringed banner with the emblem of Wodonga Lions ClubAt the top centre: The logo of Lions International Across the centre of banner: Lions Club of Wodonga / District 201C Australia In semi-circle below Water Tower: Melbourne/ Falls Creek/Lake Hume/ Snowy Mountains/ Sydneyles cole, wodonga lions club, lions international