Showing 12 items matching "overland train"
-
Sunshine and District Historical Society IncorporatedPhotograph - The Overland Train, Clive Mottam, May 1973
... The Overland Train...Overland Train...The Overland was a direct Melbourne to Adelaide interstate train, running as a daylight service (no sleeper carriages), operating twice weekly in each direction. ...The Overland was a popular slight for the local Albion, Ardeer, Deer Park, Sunshine & Sunshine West residents as it travelled along the Melbourne to Adelaide trainline, blowing its whistle at the various road and pedestrian crossings and spectators along the route. Overland Train Forrest Street Kororoit Creek Bridge Albion S302 VR S302 Digital black & white photograph Photograph The Overland Train Clive Mottam ...The Overland was a direct Melbourne to Adelaide interstate train, running as a daylight service (no sleeper carriages), operating twice weekly in each direction. The train departed Spencer Street Station (Southern Cross Station) to Adelaide on Mondays and Fridays and departed Adelaide Parklands Terminal to Melbourne on Thursdays and Sundays. There were two classes for passengers to choose from, the Red Standard Class with reclining seats and cafe access and the Red Premium Class with wider seats, extra legroom, dedicated dining carriage with meals included. The journey time was 10 1/2 to 12 hours. This train service is still operating and remains the only passenger rail link between the two cities. It is one of Australia’s oldest continuously named interstate trains (the name dates to 1926, with roots back to the Adelaide Express of the 1880s). Some media reports refer to it generically as “The Melbourne – Adelaide Train", but the official service name "The Overland" remains unchanged. This picture shows the S302 and another S class locomotive haul "The Overland" bound for Spencer Street, Melbourne, as it crosses the Kororoit Creek Bridge, west of Sunshine and was taken back in the days before the tracks were duplicated between Sunshine and Deer Park West, and well before the line between Melbourne and Adelaide was standardised, resulting in the diversion of interstate trains away from this section of line.The Overland was a popular slight for the local Albion, Ardeer, Deer Park, Sunshine & Sunshine West residents as it travelled along the Melbourne to Adelaide trainline, blowing its whistle at the various road and pedestrian crossings and spectators along the route.S302 VR S302overland train, forrest street, kororoit creek bridge, albion -
Vision AustraliaPlaque - Object, A2 932 train number plate
... This number plate came from steam locomotive class A2 number 932, which hauled the 'Sydney Limited', the 'Overland' and mainline passenger trains during its 48 years of service that ended in 1961." ...This number plate came from steam locomotive class A2 number 932, which hauled the 'Sydney Limited', the 'Overland' and mainline passenger trains during its 48 years of service that ended in 1961." royal victorian institute for the blind rvib school Cast iron numberplate on wood A2 932 train number plate Plaque Object ...Cast iron numberplate (white on black background) mounted on wood, with a braille and a written nameplate which reads: "Presented by the Victorian Railways Commission to the R.V.I.B. School for Blind Railway Club. This number plate came from steam locomotive class A2 number 932, which hauled the 'Sydney Limited', the 'Overland' and mainline passenger trains during its 48 years of service that ended in 1961." Cast iron numberplate on wood royal victorian institute for the blind, rvib school -
Melbourne LegacyPhotograph - Photo, A record of comradeship activities
... L'tee Bradie Healesville 1974. 01033.7 A black and white photo of Legatees at a table and labelled Anzac Parade 1974. 01033.8 A black and white photo of three Legatees, possibly in fancy dress (cowboy hat, fez). 01033.9-10 Two colour photos of Legatees on the overland train to Perth for the National Conference in 1977, including L/ Frank Doolan, L/ Louis and Amorel Lothian. ...L'tee Bradie Healesville 1974. 01033.7 A black and white photo of Legatees at a table and labelled Anzac Parade 1974. 01033.8 A black and white photo of three Legatees, possibly in fancy dress (cowboy hat, fez). 01033.9-10 Two colour photos of Legatees on the overland train to Perth for the National Conference in 1977, including L/ Frank Doolan, L/ Louis and Amorel Lothian. ...A variety of photos from a Comradeship album. The Comradeship committee gathered photos of events and compiled them in a Comradeship photo album for Legatees to look through. 01033.1 A photo of legatees seated around tables. The caption said: L/Donovan Joynt, V.C. at an Anzac party. 01033.2 A page of photos including "Meet the Pres." party in 1971. The photos of Legatees in fancy dress have 23 April 1970 stamped on the back. Also a party at Legatee Norman Lofts' house in London in 1974 and on the back it says Norman was preparing for Ascot June 1974. A legatee at lower right is Howard Hider. 01033.3 A post card of a first world war memorial in Albany WA. 01033.4 A photo of soldiers from the first world war made into a postcard. The names on the photo are L. Liddell, Sgt Harvey Etchins (?), W Brown of the 24th Battalion P__. On the back, handwritten in blue pen, "Yesterday to Day. To Frank from Wal Brown". L Liddell may be David Leslie Liddell, service no 680A (source AWM). Wal Brown may be Walter Charles Brown, Service no 3278 (source AWM). 01033.5-6 Two colour photos of "Meet the Pres. L'tee Bradie Healesville 1974. 01033.7 A black and white photo of Legatees at a table and labelled Anzac Parade 1974. 01033.8 A black and white photo of three Legatees, possibly in fancy dress (cowboy hat, fez). 01033.9-10 Two colour photos of Legatees on the overland train to Perth for the National Conference in 1977, including L/ Frank Doolan, L/ Louis and Amorel Lothian. The other photo is L/s Frank Doolan and Rex Hall sitting together. 01033.11 A colour photo of L/ Rex Hall being awarded first prize for a rendition of Maurice Chevellier "Leetle girls were make to love and kees", in July 1976 - event and venue not known. 01033.12 L/ Rex Hall sitting with Mrs Pat Cahill on the SS Oriana on 10 March 1974. Mrs Cahill was the daughter of David H Dureau whose associate donated funds that enabled the purchase of Legacy House in his memory. 01033.13 L/ Escott in Tewantin Qld in 1986 found an aged care home with his name. The handwriting on the back of the photo pointed out he was not a resident. 01033.14 L/ Escott with Sir Walter Campbell, Governor of Queensland on 11 April 1986 at Government House Qld. 01033.15 The governor of Queensland presenting Legatee Escott with the B.E.M. on 11 April 1986. The items were part of a photo album of Comradeship activities (from 1930 to 1977) see items 01027 to 01036.The Comradeship photo album was put together by the Comradeship committee and records events that Legatees did and places they lived or visited. Some appear to be trips to visit other Legatees living overseas and social occasions held in different places. It shows the bond that Legatees have with each other.Colour photo x 20 from a Comradeship committee photo album.Various labels for the photos.anzac day, comradeship -
Kiewa Valley Historical SocietyPhotographs – Set of 3 black and white photographs of a building being transported by steam train
... Prior to the sealing of the Kiewa Valley Highway in 1950, all heavy road stock including building materials, farm equipment and other heavy machinery had to be transported via railway lines to either Albury, Wodonga or Bright and then transported overland for the remainder of the distance by wagon on rough, poorly made roads. Trains also services the mining industries of the Ovens Valley and the transportation of tourists to Mount Buffalo and the very popular Mount Buffalo Chalet....Kiewa Valley Historical Society Mount Beauty Information Centre 31 Bogong High Plains Rd Mt Beauty high-country Prior to the sealing of the Kiewa Valley Highway in 1950, all heavy road stock including building materials, farm equipment and other heavy machinery had to be transported via railway lines to either Albury, Wodonga or Bright and then transported overland for the remainder of the distance by wagon on rough, poorly made roads. Trains also services the mining industries of the Ovens Valley and the transportation of tourists to Mount Buffalo and the very popular Mount Buffalo Chalet. ...Prior to the sealing of the Kiewa Valley Highway in 1950, all heavy road stock including building materials, farm equipment and other heavy machinery had to be transported via railway lines to either Albury, Wodonga or Bright and then transported overland for the remainder of the distance by wagon on rough, poorly made roads. Trains also services the mining industries of the Ovens Valley and the transportation of tourists to Mount Buffalo and the very popular Mount Buffalo Chalet.Steam trains were a major form of transport for rural community members prior to the introduction of road transport. Local producers including farmers relied on rail transport to send and receive essential building equipment, farming produce, materials, stock and mail to maintain their lifestyles and social connections with the outside world. 3 black and white photographs of a building being transported by steam train. Photos show the train in three progressively closer photos. Photo shows a man standing in the doorway at the controls of the train, 3 figures, possibly children leaning out of the window of the carriage and another man, standing on the tracks with hands on hips. Photo could have been taken in Tallangatta, Cudgewa or Ebden near Lake Hume where trains were a major form of transport prior to the 1950’s. No markingstransportables; steam train; railway;, old tallangatta, esther temple -
Eltham District Historical Society IncPhotograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, Diamond Valley Railway, Eltham Lower Park, 7 September 2008
... Although not exact replicas, trains include models of the Spirit of Progress, Puffing Billy, The Overland, Dog Boxes, Vic Rail S class, G class and a NSW 81 Class. ...Although not exact replicas, trains include models of the Spirit of Progress, Puffing Billy, The Overland, Dog Boxes, Vic Rail S class, G class and a NSW 81 Class. ...Kids of all ages enjoy the Miniature Railway. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p163 On Sundays in Eltham thousands of children, mums, dads and grandparents can be seen travelling around Lower Eltham Park in tiny trains. They are among the two and half million passengers who have travelled on the Diamond Valley Railway since it officially began in 1961. The miniature railway originally operated from the 1940s at Chelsworth Park, Ivanhoe, until flooding caused it to be moved to the Eltham Lower Park in 1959. The railway is modelled on the 1920s era – the heyday of passenger rail travel – and the trains are built on a scale of two inches to the foot (1/6). Although not exact replicas, trains include models of the Spirit of Progress, Puffing Billy, The Overland, Dog Boxes, Vic Rail S class, G class and a NSW 81 Class. The three and a half kilometres of track is set amongst native plants and picnic areas. A friendly hoot or the clang of a bell occasionally punctuates the tranquillity as a train emerges from a treed bend with passengers excitedly waving to onlookers. For $3 the train takes you on a 13-minute two-kilometre ride. Passengers sit in single file in the narrow train, which clatters along tracks built to the scale of the Australian narrow gauge of three feet six inches (1.1m). These are used in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. Safety standards are stringently kept. Even before you buy a ticket notices tell you that you must wear closed shoes. You can even borrow these, and you are given a pair of socks for the ride! Blue-overalled volunteers check tickets, see you aboard, and drive the train. They are mainly retired men who can at last devote their time to what little boys dream of – playing with trains. Passengers are instructed in safe behaviour, then the station master waves a white flag and off we go. The guard sits at the back with his whistle and green flag at the ready. The winding track, fringed by native trees and bushes planted by volunteers, stands on crown land managed by Nillumbik Council. The train clatters along the track and crosses a bridge over a drain elevated by name to The Blow Fly Creek. We pass by Meadmore Junction at a speed of three kilometres an hour. Then on through a tunnel, accompanied by squeals of delight, and after a few moments of blackness, light glimmers at the end. On we go, past the original platform, along another route past busy Main Road through Pine Creek Station, over a bridge and through another tunnel with more screams of delight.Then a signal stops us before the ‘all clear’ to return to our original point of departure. The railway services its passengers – the largest number of any miniature railway in Australia – with a fleet including: six diesel locomotives, three steam locomotives, eight sets of passenger cars and one battery electric Dog Box set. Members also privately own 20 locomotives and powered carriage sets as well as four carriage sets.1 All the trains are stored on-site in workshops, sheds and a tunnel. The railway is entirely run by volunteers, so that all ticket money is used for maintenance and extensions, and some goes to local charities. Since 1991, the entire railway has been rebuilt, including an upgraded signalling system. About half of the 120 volunteer members are active with about 35 working each Sunday, and a dozen or so working every Wednesday. Members are trained to positions of station assistant, booking officer, train guard, train driver or signalman. Members construct new carriages and locomotives as well as maintaining track, signalling and rolling stock.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, diamond valley railway, eltham lower park -
Eltham District Historical Society IncPhotograph, Head on collision, Victorian Railways photo, 1962
... Overland'. Three of the locomotives were written off. One person died - one of the firemen. steam engine, train crash, victorian railways Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white transparency Head on collision, Victorian Railways photo Photograph Photograph George Coop ...c.1962 photo of original Victorian Railways photo Believed to be 'Overland' crash at Serviceton on 7 Sept 1951. Four locomotives were involved. The Melbourne-bound 'Overland' ran head-on into the stationary Adelaide-bound 'Overland'. Three of the locomotives were written off. One person died - one of the firemen.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white transparencysteam engine, train crash, victorian railways -
Ballarat Tramway MuseumEphemera - Christmas Card, Australian Railway Historical Society (ARHS)
... The train later became known as The Overland. The first two carriages are Mansard Roofed Carriages. ...The train later became known as The Overland. The first two carriages are Mansard Roofed Carriages. ...Christmas card made from white stippled cardboard with a serrated edge, folded centrally with a photo of Rx and R class locomotives on the front of the Adelaide to Melbourne Express at Adelaide Railway Station c1900. The train later became known as The Overland. The first two carriages are Mansard Roofed Carriages. The photo has been printed as an illustration and then glued to the front of the card. On the inside of the card is a Greetings message from the Council and Members of the South Australian Division of the Australian Railway Historical Society. See December 1999 issue of Newsrail for some information about the locomotives and carriages. Year not known, probably late 1960's. Would have been sent to Les Denmead by someone in the ARHS SA Division. See Newsrail Dec. 1999tramways, trams, adelaide, passenger trains, christmas cards, sar, arhs -
Victorian Railway History LibraryBook, Wilson, John, The Overland A Social History, 2021
... Victorian Railway History Library 39 St Edmonds Rd Prahran Prahran Railroad passenger trains - Australia Railroad trains - Overland - history A history of the Overland passenger train from Melbourne to Adelaide index, ill, maps, p.196. ...A history of the Overland passenger train from Melbourne to Adelaideindex, ill, maps, p.196.non-fictionA history of the Overland passenger train from Melbourne to Adelaiderailroad passenger trains - australia, railroad trains - overland - history -
Wodonga & District Historical Society IncPhotograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Eric Molloy preparing Heavy Harry H220, C. 1943 - 1956
... Overland Express to Adelaide, each to take the place of two ordinary locomotives. H220 entered service on 7 February 1941. Known as “Heavy Harry”, he never fulfilled his destiny, because bridges and tracks were not strong enough to carry his 260 tons (with tender). The war put an end to plans to strengthen the line and to build the other two locomotives. As a result, the locomotive spent its entire service life on the Northeast line as this was the only other line on which it could operate. It was used mainly on fast goods trains...Overland Express to Adelaide, each to take the place of two ordinary locomotives. H220 entered service on 7 February 1941. Known as “Heavy Harry”, he never fulfilled his destiny, because bridges and tracks were not strong enough to carry his 260 tons (with tender). The war put an end to plans to strengthen the line and to build the other two locomotives. As a result, the locomotive spent its entire service life on the Northeast line as this was the only other line on which it could operate. It was used mainly on fast goods trains ...The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Eric Molloy preparing Locomotive H220 "Heavy Harry" for another run. Eric was born on 11 August 1906. He started cleaning with the Victorian Railways on 26 November 1926. Eric passed his Driver qualification on 1 December 1943. "Heavy Harry" - H220 was the only locomotive constructed in this class. The H class is the largest locomotive built to operate on the Victorian Railways. He was built at Newport in 1941 as the first of three mighty locomotives to haul the Overland Express to Adelaide, each to take the place of two ordinary locomotives. H220 entered service on 7 February 1941. Known as “Heavy Harry”, he never fulfilled his destiny, because bridges and tracks were not strong enough to carry his 260 tons (with tender). The war put an end to plans to strengthen the line and to build the other two locomotives. As a result, the locomotive spent its entire service life on the Northeast line as this was the only other line on which it could operate. It was used mainly on fast goods trains with an occasional run on an express passenger train and typically completed five return trips a week between Melbourne and Wodonga, covering around 1,875 miles per week. H220 continued in service until it was withdrawn for an overhaul on 20 May 1956. H220 was stored rather than overhauled, and never returned to service. It was written off the VR locomotive register on 30 April 1958. and was put on display in the Newport Railway Museum in 1962. In April 2008, 50 years after its official withdrawal from service, H220 was added to the Victorian Heritage Register. railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, locomotive h220, "heavy harry", eric molloy -
Wodonga & District Historical Society IncWork on paper - Passing the Customs Officers at Wodonga, Australasian Sketcher, 1881
... trains. The Sydney Morning Herald on 31st March 1881 reported:- "Luggage Scrutinised: The discomfort attending travellers proceeding overland from Sydney having to submit to their luggage being scrutinised by the Custom House officials at Wodonga is about to be increased. ...trains. The Sydney Morning Herald on 31st March 1881 reported:- "Luggage Scrutinised: The discomfort attending travellers proceeding overland from Sydney having to submit to their luggage being scrutinised by the Custom House officials at Wodonga is about to be increased. ...This image appeared in the Australasian Sketcher on 13th August 1881. The initials in the corner indicate the artist may have been J D Cooper who worked with the Australasian Sketcher at that time. The Australia Customs Service played an important role in the history of Wodonga and a major part in the federation of the colonies of Australia. In 1852 the colonies were given the right to collect import duties on items such as coffee, tea, tobacco, chocolate and spirits. NSW was first to impose collection of duties in 1853. At that time Wodonga was not an official port of entry and was not allowed to collect duties. This regulation made it illegal for people to transport dutiable goods across the Murray River from NSW which provided an incentive for smuggling, while at the same time strangling the legitimate trade. Belvoir (later to become Wodonga) was a made a port of entry with its own Customs House gazetted on 22nd December 1854. The Government set aside 500 Pounds in 1859 to build Belvoir's own Customs House. After the arrival of the Railways to Wodonga in 1873, Customs Officers also checked travellers on the trains. The Sydney Morning Herald on 31st March 1881 reported:- "Luggage Scrutinised: The discomfort attending travellers proceeding overland from Sydney having to submit to their luggage being scrutinised by the Custom House officials at Wodonga is about to be increased. Passengers doing this journey must now be present on the platform at the Wodonga terminus three-quarters of an hour before the train leaves for Melbourne; and the Customs authorities have intimated that unless passengers attend as indicated, with the keys of their portmanteaus ready to open them for the inspection of the officers, the luggage will be detained until the next train, when it will be forwarded under bond, the owners having to pay the carriage." Tariffs were one of the most contentious issues which influenced discussions surrounding Federation. They were abolished when Federation was achieved in 1901. This item is significant because it depicts an early view of Wodonga when it was still an important customs post.A print from a pencil sketch which was published in the Australasian Sketcher 1881. It features a scene at the customs office in Wodonga. Initials JD in bottom right cornerearly wodonga, wodonga customs office -
Melton City LibrariesBook, 'Railway Guide Book Melbourne and Adelaide, 1891
... Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. ...Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. ...Memories of Train Travel compiled by Wendy Barrie 4/09/2013 Train travel had changed very little from the time my mothers generation to mine. The timetable meant the usual rush to Melton South by bike in her case and if she was running late the train pulled up on the crossing. I was driven to the Station from home past Keith and Mary Gillespie’s house near the Ferris Road rail crossing to Bridge road to Melton South for the 7.32 train. While attending Sunshine High School in 1961 I would meet up with three other students, two of whom I knew from Bacchus Marsh High School days. We usually got into the same compartment on the train, it was a typical country train with a corridor along the side and compartments with a door, roof racks and sometimes heated metal containers for the feet in the winter. Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. The carriages had 1st and economy class compartments showing photographs of county scenes and holiday destinations. The engine was the large A class diesel. They are still running to Bacchus Marsh 50 years later, due to the need for the greatly increased number of commuters travelling to work in the city. Sometimes the carriages were pull by a Steam engine, these were a problem in the summer time because the sparks caused fires along the train lines and then quickly spread into the dry grass, crops and stubble. The Motor Train left Spencer Street at 4.23 pm and was the best train for me to catch. Ferris Road was a designated stop and train pulled up on the road crossing. It had steps at the door and rungs to hold while alighting to the ground. The ballast along the tracks was rough and uneven and awkward to land on. The train was painted blue and yellow with the letters VR pained on the front. This saved may parents the afternoon trip to collect me from the Station. On the walk home on the gravel road I would pass Uncle Tom and Aunty May’s house before reaching home. Melva Gillespie was studying at Sunshine Technical School and we sometimes both got off the train at the same time. On other occasions the Motor Train was replaced with a diesel engine with carriages, it was also required to stop and the driver had to be notified in advance. This meant getting into the guards van a Rockbank. It was more difficult alighting from the carriage as the gap was greater and more precarious to swing out and land on the ground. A few times in my last year of study at Melbourne Teachers College in Grattan Street Carlton. I managed to catch the 2.30 pm train to Serviceton, it was express to Melton and was very quick trip. The last train, was the 5.25 pm diesel to Ballarat and I usually caught this train to Melton South Station. On one occasion after being held up on the tram in Bourke street I had to make a mad dash to the platform chasing the train as it was just moving off and yelling to the guard, fortunately I was noticed and the train ground to halt. I scrambled into the end door and took most of the journey home to recover. After the last year at High School I continued to travel on the train, 2 years to Prahran Technical School changing at North Melbourne. There were a lot school children travelling to private schools and some at the primary level and mainly from Bacchus Marsh. Rockbank children also travelled by train from the beginning of their high school years, quite a few went to Sunshine High School. Book provided a timetable and information about the stations the train travels to from Melbourne to Adelaide. transport -
Melton City LibrariesPhotograph, Wendy Barrie, Unknown
... Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. ...Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. ...Eldest daughter of Edna and Bon Barrie, born on 03 November 1943 in Melbourne, Victoria, Memoirs of Wendy Barrie, recalling the early formative years of life in Melton: In 1949 I started school at Melton State School no 430 and was driven the 2½ miles to there by my parents at first. Later we walked home in the afternoons or were picked up by car as we made our way home along the Western Highway. In 1956 I went to Bacchus Marsh High School. There were 4 students in grade 6 and 3 of us went to the High School. The students from Melton, Melton South and Toolern Vale State Schools went by bus to Bacchus Marsh High School as far a fifth form. My parents drove me to the pick up point and during the five years of travel to High School. The bus travelled via Toolern Vale and later went through Exford and through Parwan. On the return journey in the afternoon the bus went in the reverse direction. The bridge at Exford was an old narrow wooden one, and the students had to get off the bus and walk across, with the driver crossing in the empty bus for safety reasons. There was a travelling allowance paid to parents and it was estimated from the distance the crow flies, a straight line. We lived a Ferris Lane, just where the Harness Racing entrance is now situated about 2 ½ miles by road to school too close to qualify for the subsidy. While at State School Melton we would walk home in a group with the Nixon and Gillespie children, along the main road over the bridge near the Shire Offices and down a hill. I was being dinked on Joyce Gillespie’s bike while holding onto the seat, toppled off the bike striking my chin and teeth on the bitumen and cracking my jaw. I was about 9 years old and stayed a couple of days in the Quamby Hospital in Bacchus Marsh, it seemed like and eternity at the time and quite traumatic being separated from my family. I can remember contemplating how I could get out of the window and run away but realised it was too far to walk home. Often we would cut across the Common on our way home from school picking up stray golf balls and collecting them from the creek when it dried out. We were warned about not accepting lifts from strangers passing along the Melbourne/ Ballarat Road. The only danger we faced was being swooped by the magpies particularly on the open ground on the Common. We were also fairly cautious when the Gypsies camped on the Common in the area just about opposite the small reservoir. “Mum” grandma Myers loved to have us call in on our way home, and usually would cut a slice of Jongebloed’s bread and spread it with home made butter. Sometimes we waited there until we were collected by car, usually driven by our mother. Margaret Nixon and Joyce Gillespie were a few grades ahead of me and Barbara Nixon was born just two months earlier than me. Our mothers were great friends for over 6o years, born in the same month three years apart. They lived within a few days of the same age as each other at the time their deaths. Dad and George Nixon attended Melton school at the same time. Sarah nee Hornbuckle Nixon and my grandfather Frederick Myers Snr were at school together at the same in the 1880s. The Nixon family lived in Keilor Road just past the Toolern Creek near the turnoff. Tom and Ann Collins lived on the southern side of the Western highway and Keilor road intersection. Jim and Ruby Gillespie’s house was further long Keilor road on the right. They backed onto the Myers who lived on the north side of Western Highway east of Myers Gully (Ryans Creek). The Bridge over the Toolern Creek as very narrow and as truck traffic increased there were accidents. One truck took out the side railing and plunged upside down into the bank and into the shallow water. Another fatal accident happened between a car and a truck right in front of the Myers house. Grandfather Fred had been a bike rider all his life, as far as the Riverina in his younger years, wryly made the comment about the drivers the speeding along the Ballarat Road were setting out to kill themselves. The road was busy particularly after the Races at Ballarat when the crowds were hurrying home to Melbourne. Train travel had changed very little from the time my mothers generation to mine. The timetable meant the usual rush to Melton South by bike in her case and if she was running late the train pulled up on the crossing. I was driven to the Station from home past Keith and Mary Gillespie’s house near the Ferris Road rail crossing to Bridge road to Melton South for the 7.32 train. While attending Sunshine High School in 1961 I would meet up with three other students, two of whom I knew from Bacchus Marsh High School days. We usually got into the same compartment on the train, it was a typical country train with a corridor along the side and compartments with a door, roof racks and sometimes heated metal containers for the feet in the winter. Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. The carriages had 1st and economy class compartments showing photographs of county scenes and holiday destinations. The engine was the large A class diesel. They are still running to Bacchus Marsh 50 years later, due to the need for the greatly increased number of commuters travelling to work in the city. Sometimes the carriages were pull by a Steam engine, these were a problem in the summer time because the sparks caused fires along the train lines and then quickly spread into the dry grass, crops and stubble. The Motor Train left Spencer Street at 4.23 pm and was the best train for me to catch. Ferris Road was a designated stop and train pulled up on the road crossing. It had steps at the door and rungs to hold while alighting to the ground. The ballast along the tracks was rough and uneven and awkward to land on. The train was painted blue and yellow with the letters VR pained on the front. This saved may parents the afternoon trip to collect me from the Station. On the walk home on the gravel road I would pass Uncle Tom and Aunty May’s house before reaching home. Melva Gillespie was studying at Sunshine Technical School and we sometimes both got off the train at the same time. On other occasions the Motor Train was replaced with a diesel engine with carriages, it was also required to stop and the driver had to be notified in advance. This meant getting into the guards van a Rockbank. It was more difficult alighting from the carriage as the gap was greater and more precarious to swing out and land on the ground. A few times in my last year of study at Melbourne Teachers College in Grattan Street Carlton. I managed to catch the 2.30 pm train to Serviceton, it was express to Melton and was very quick trip. The last train, was the 5.25 pm diesel to Ballarat and I usually caught this train to Melton South Station. On one occasion after being held up on the tram in Bourke street I had to make a mad dash to the platform chasing the train as it was just moving off and yelling to the guard, fortunately I was noticed and the train ground to halt. I scrambled into the end door and took most of the journey home to recover. After the last year at High School I continued to travel on the train, 2 years to Prahran Technical School changing at North Melbourne. There were a lot school children travelling to private schools and some at the primary level and mainly from Bacchus Marsh. Rockbank children also travelled by train from the beginning of their high school years, quite a few went to Sunshine High School. During my third year of teacher training I travelled to Flinders Street to RMIT for ceramics classes and Grattan St Teachers College located in the grounds of Melbourne University. There were many teachers being trained at the Secondary Teachers College due to the baby bulge creating a great shortage of teachers. Sunshine High School was very well represented amongst the different courses in Primary, Secondary and Art and Crafts. I attended Melbourne University lectures, studying a Fine Art subject. Bernard Smith was the most notable of the lecturers. he replaced Professor Joseph Bourke who had taken leave for the years. In 1962 he published the art book “Australian Painting”. The secondary art and craft student teachers from the College were in the majority, taking this subject and were well regarded due to their practical art and craft methods and their teaching round experience. In December 1964 I graduated as a Trained Secondary Teacher – Art and Crafts. The graduating ceremony was held at Wilson Hall. I received my appointment to work at Maryborough High School. Uncle Max and Aunty Rosemary Myers arranged my accommodation. Uncle Max was a teacher at the Maryborough Technical School fat the time. The appointment was suddenly changed when just before the school year was about to start when I received notification that I was now required to move to Warracknabeal High School. I was subject to a bond for the three years of training and three years of teaching and was under an obligation to comply with the directive of the Education Department. My father stood as guarantor when I was accepted as student at the Melbourne Teachers’ College, thus enabling me to receive my teacher training, and a 5 pounds a week allowance for expenses. After teaching for two years at Warracknabeal High School I was fortunate enough the gain a transfer to Sunshine West High School, returning to live at home in Melton and travelling by car to work with a fellow colleague, Jock Smith who lived at Station road Melton. I completed bond obligation and resigned at the end of the year. The employment regulations at that time did not allow the option of leave of absence for, indefinite overseas travel. I returned to Australia in October 1969. Visiting Arthur Hart the Principal of Sunshine High School he arranged with the Education Department for my re-employment at Sunshine High School until the end of the year. In 1970 I was transferred, and returned to Sunshine West High School where I worked for the next three years. In January 1968 I sailed on the “Oriana” to South Hampton with two teaching friends from Warracknabeal High School on a travelling and working holiday. Doreen Kiely, a former Bacchus Marsh High student and fellow train traveller from Bacchus Marsh, was already working in London, had arranged our accommodation at the London Travellers Club Hotel, Braham Gardens, Earls Court SW5. We based our stay at this address in London and travelled around Scotland, Ireland and England. In the summer we took a four month trip around the Continent and the Mediterranean. I registered with The Royal Borough Of Kingston Upon Thames as a Supply teacher, and worked at Chessington School form autumn to spring the following year and living with Mrs Rose Gillies at Kinross Avenue, Worcester Park, Surrey. In the spring of 1969 visiting Norway, Sweden and Finland joining an organised camping group to the Artic Circle, entered Russia at Leningrad (St Petersburg) Moscow, Minsk, to Poland and Czechoslovakia. In August returning to Worcester Park for the flight to Montreal to stay with cousin Lynette and husband Jurgen. A side trip was taken to Toronto, Niagara Falls and New York. The flight home from Montreal to Melbourne took 52 hours. A ½ day break in Vancouver before boarding the Qantas boeing 707 via San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, Sydney to Melbourne. Around the world in 21 months. Photographs of Wendy local identities
