Shire of Eltham Archives: Series 69, Item 2 This video was produced for the Shire of Eltham in response to the 1985 Victorian Local Government Commission Report titled ‘The Restructure of Local Government in Victoria – Principles and Program’ (the Morris review). The recommendation was to amalgamate the Shires of Eltham and Diamond Valley, something that Eltham Council did not support as being appropriate for the shire or compatible with the 'Spirit of Eltham'. The video features Shire President, Cr. Mary Grant talking with the Hon. Pauline Toner MP and Max McDonald MP. Eltham Shire CEO Rodney Roschellor presents an alternate proposal for a shire merging more aligned to the 'Spirit of Eltham'.Also featured are Eltham icons such as the Eltham Railway Trestle Bridge, Montsalvat, Eltham Community Centre along with mudbrick making, artist Matcham Skipper, the Green Wedge and St Andrews Market. Other commentary is provided by locals Judy Wadham and Lester Eaton.VHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:10:56; 73MBcouncil amalgamation, cr. mary grant, eltham community centre, eltham railway trestle bridge, eltham shire council, green wedge, judy wadham, lester eaton, matcham skipper, max mcdonald, montsalvat, morris review, mudbrick construction, pauline toner, rodney roscholler, shire of diamond valley, shire of eltham, spirit of eltham, st andrews market, video recording, shire of eltham archives

Shire of Eltham Archives: Series 69, Item 5 Video opens with panning view of completed kinder from Frank Street followed by images of the centre under construction then opening day speeches. Introduction and welcome by Mandy Press (Executive Officer, Shire of Eltham) with speeches by the Hon. Pauline Toner, Member for Eltham and Shire president, Cr. Alan Baker. The Hon. Pauline Toner acknowledged Shire President Alan Baker and her parliamentary colleagues Vin Heffernan, Neil Brown and Bob Halderson and Councillors; three levels of Government which led to the achievement of the kinder, and gave special thanks to the Council and parents for the forward planning to accommodate children from babyhood to school with childcare, kinder and baby health facilities all combined in one facility in the middle of parkland in a residential area. Shire President Cr Alan Baker then followed to formally open the centre. The site had been identified in early 1985 at that stage only as a pre-school but with an opportunity to develop, the additional services were driven by Cr Baker. Though a very long name, its simple message is "Care for Kids." Designed by architect Neil Biggins of Clark, Hopkins and Clark. Cr Baker stated that the theme of "people living in the environment" was very much encapsulated by the facility. Cr Baker informed that the construction of the facility had led to some concerns with a reduction in open space and potential traffic generated to the facility and those users of the facility were asked to ensure their use is sensitive to the local residents. Cr Baker talked about the financial costs and how the Federal grant funding was no longer as plentiful as previous and that the Victorian Government had come to the assistance thanks to Pauline Toner covering some other costs as well as the ongoing running costs of around $40,000. The Federal Government contributed $233,000 out of a childcare component rather than preschool. Cr Baker thanked Mandy Press again as well as Shire Engineer, John Stanton. Cr Baker also acknowledged Ed Latanzio who was in charge of the project, along with his colleague Alan Lansdowne; Gary Bartlett and his team for the exterior surroundings to the facility. He mentioned that Neil Biggins the architect had said not many Shire Councils show the same commitment to the exterior surroundings as the interior which was a credit to the Council and Gary Bartlett. He also thanked Bev Vern, Council's preschool advisor who assisted in developing the programs; Grant Roberts from Federal Office of Childcare for assisting the Cooperative in setting up the funding program; the builders George Takola and George Apted; Michelle Matello who undertook the needs analysis that identified another preschool was required; Cathy King who assisted in the development of the childcare program; Pat Grundy and Susan Forbes, Council officers who assisted with the development of the services and the members of the preschool committee. In addition, local residents and in particular Helen, Peter and Chris who advised Council of their concerns and worked with Council to overcome these issues; members of the Interim Steering Committee and the Directors of the Childcare Co-op. Cr Baker stated that the Co-op nature of the facility and the location of the three services under one roof was unique and the task of the programs was to be led by Annie, Dianne and Lynn Afternoon tea and activities followed the unveiling of the plaque. The video shows some of the children's entertainment and their engagement as well as interior and exterior views.VHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:26:02; 302MBshire of eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives, eltham shire council, alan lansdowne, bev vern, bob halderson, cathy king, clark hopkins and clark, councillors, cr. alan baker, ed latanzio, eltham, eltham woods childcare co-operative, federal government, federal office of childcare, frank street, gary bartlett, george apted, george takola, grant roberts, john stanton, mandy press, michelle matello, neil biggins, neil brown, pat grundy, pauline toner, people living in the environment, susan forbes, victorian government, vin heffernan

We don?t leave our identities at the city limits: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in urban localities Bronwyn Fredericks Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live in cities and towns are often thought of as ?less Indigenous? than those who live ?in the bush?, as though they are ?fake? Aboriginal people ? while ?real? Aboriginal people live ?on communities? and ?real? Torres Strait Islander people live ?on islands?. Yet more than 70 percent of Australia?s Indigenous peoples live in urban locations (ABS 2007), and urban living is just as much part of a reality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as living in remote discrete communities. This paper examines the contradictions and struggles that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience when living in urban environments. It looks at the symbols of place and space on display in the Australian cities of Melbourne and Brisbane to demonstrate how prevailing social, political and economic values are displayed. Symbols of place and space are never neutral, and this paper argues that they can either marginalise and oppress urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, or demonstrate that they are included and engaged. Juggling with pronouns: Racist discourse in spoken interaction on the radio Di Roy While the discourse of deficit with regard to Australian Indigenous health and wellbeing has been well documented in print media and through images on film and on television, radio talk concerning this discourse remains underresearched. This paper interrogates the power of an interactive news interview, aired on the Radio National Breakfast program on ABC Radio in 2011, to maintain and reproduce the discourse of deficit, despite the best intentions of the interview participants. Using a conversation-analytical approach, and membership categorisation analysis in particular, this paper interrogates the spoken interaction between a well-known radio interviewer and a respected medical researcher into Indigenous eye health. It demonstrates the recreation of a discourse emanating from longstanding hegemonies between mainstream and Indigenous Australians. Analysis of firstperson pronoun use shows the ongoing negotiation of social category boundaries and construction of moral identities through ascriptions to category members, upon which the intelligibility of the interview for the listening audience depended. The findings from analysis support claims in a considerable body of whiteness studies literature, the main themes of which include the pervasiveness of a racist discourse in Australian media and society, the power of invisible assumptions, and the importance of naming and exposing them. Changes in Pitjantjatjara mourning and burial practices Bill Edwards, University of South Australia This paper is based on observations over a period of more than five decades of changes in Pitjantjatjara burial practices from traditional practices to the introduction of Christian services and cemeteries. Missions have been criticised for enforcing such changes. However, in this instance, the changes were implemented by the Aboriginal people themselves. Following brief outlines of Pitjantjatjara traditional life, including burial practices, and of the establishment of Ernabella Mission in 1937 and its policy of respect for Pitjantjatjara cultural practices and language, the history of these changes which commenced in 1973 are recorded. Previously, deceased bodies were interred according to traditional rites. However, as these practices were increasingly at odds with some of the features of contemporary social, economic and political life, two men who had lost close family members initiated church funeral services and established a cemetery. These practices soon spread to most Pitjantjatjara communities in a manner which illustrates the model of change outlined by Everett Rogers (1962) in Diffusion of Innovations. Reference is made to four more recent funerals to show how these events have been elaborated and have become major social occasions. The world from Malarrak: Depictions of South-east Asian and European subjects in rock art from the Wellington Range, Australia Sally K May, Paul SC Ta�on, Alistair Paterson, Meg Travers This paper investigates contact histories in northern Australia through an analysis of recent rock paintings. Around Australia Aboriginal artists have produced a unique record of their experiences of contact since the earliest encounters with South-east Asian and, later, European visitors and settlers. This rock art archive provides irreplaceable contemporary accounts of Aboriginal attitudes towards, and engagement with, foreigners on their shores. Since 2008 our team has been working to document contact period rock art in north-western and western Arnhem Land. This paper focuses on findings from a site complex known as Malarrak. It includes the most thorough analysis of contact rock art yet undertaken in this area and questions previous interpretations of subject matter and the relationship of particular paintings to historic events. Contact period rock art from Malarrak presents us with an illustrated history of international relationships in this isolated part of the world. It not only reflects the material changes brought about by outside cultural groups but also highlights the active role Aboriginal communities took in responding to these circumstances. Addressing the Arrernte: FJ Gillen?s 1896 Engwura speech Jason Gibson, Australian National University This paper analyses a speech delivered by Francis James Gillen during the opening stages of what is now regarded as one of the most significant ethnographic recording events in Australian history. Gillen?s ?speech? at the 1896 Engwura festival provides a unique insight into the complex personal relationships that early anthropologists had with Aboriginal people. This recently unearthed text, recorded by Walter Baldwin Spencer in his field notebook, demonstrates how Gillen and Spencer sought to establish the parameters of their anthropological enquiry in ways that involved both Arrernte agency and kinship while at the same time invoking the hierarchies of colonial anthropology in Australia. By examining the content of the speech, as it was written down by Spencer, we are also able to reassesses the importance of Gillen to the ethnographic ambitions of the Spencer/Gillen collaboration. The incorporation of fundamental Arrernte concepts and the use of Arrernte words to convey the purpose of their 1896 fieldwork suggest a degree of Arrernte involvement and consent not revealed before. The paper concludes with a discussion of the outcomes of the Engwura festival and the subsequent publication of The Native Tribes of Central Australia within the context of a broader set of relationships that helped to define the emergent field of Australian anthropology at the close of the nineteenth century. One size doesn?t fit all: Experiences of family members of Indigenous gamblers Louise Holdsworth, Helen Breen, Nerilee Hing and Ashley Gordon Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University This study explores help-seeking and help-provision by family members of Indigenous people experiencing gambling problems, a topic that previously has been ignored. Data are analysed from face-to-face interviews with 11 family members of Indigenous Australians who gamble regularly. The results confirm that substantial barriers are faced by Indigenous Australians in accessing formal help services and programs, whether for themselves or a loved one. Informal help from family and friends appears more common. In this study, this informal help includes emotional care, practical support and various forms of ?tough love?. However, these measures are mostly in vain. Participants emphasise that ?one size doesn?t fit all? when it comes to avenues of gambling help for Indigenous peoples. Efforts are needed to identify how Indigenous families and extended families can best provide social and practical support to assist their loved ones to acknowledge and address gambling problems. Western Australia?s Aboriginal heritage regime: Critiques of culture, ethnography, procedure and political economy Nicholas Herriman, La Trobe University Western Australia?s Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) and the de facto arrangements that have arisen from it constitute a large part of the Aboriginal ?heritage regime? in that state. Although designed ostensibly to protect Aboriginal heritage, the heritage regime has been subjected to various scholarly critiques. Indeed, there is a widespread perception of a need to reform the Act. But on what basis could this proceed? Here I offer an analysis of these critiques, grouped according to their focus on political economy, procedure, ethnography and culture. I outline problems surrounding the first three criticisms and then discuss two versions of the cultural critique. I argue that an extreme version of this criticism is weak and inconsistent with the other three critiques. I conclude that there is room for optimism by pointing to ways in which the heritage regime could provide more beneficial outcomes for Aboriginal people. Read With Me Everyday: Community engagement and English literacy outcomes at Erambie Mission (research report) Lawrence Bamblett Since 2009 Lawrie Bamblett has been working with his community at Erambie Mission on a literacy project called Read With Me. The programs - three have been carried out over the past four years - encourage parents to actively engage with their children?s learning through reading workshops, social media, and the writing and publication of their own stories. Lawrie attributes much of the project?s extraordinary success to the intrinsic character of the Erambie community, not least of which is their communal approach to living and sense of shared responsibility. The forgotten Yuendumu Men?s Museum murals: Shedding new light on the progenitors of the Western Desert Art Movement (research report) Bethune Carmichael and Apolline Kohen In the history of the Western Desert Art Movement, the Papunya School murals are widely acclaimed as the movement?s progenitors. However, in another community, Yuendumu, some 150 kilometres from Papunya, a seminal museum project took place prior to the completion of the Papunya School murals and the production of the first Papunya boards. The Warlpiri men at Yuendumu undertook a ground-breaking project between 1969 and 1971 to build a men?s museum that would not only house ceremonial and traditional artefacts but would also be adorned with murals depicting the Dreamings of each of the Warlpiri groups that had recently settled at Yuendumu. While the murals at Papunya are lost, those at Yuendumu have, against all odds, survived. Having been all but forgotten, this unprecedented cultural and artistic endeavour is only now being fully appreciated. Through the story of the genesis and construction of the Yuendumu Men?s Museum and its extensive murals, this paper demonstrates that the Yuendumu murals significantly contributed to the early development of the Western Desert Art Movement. It is time to acknowledge the role of Warlpiri artists in the history of the movement.b&w photographs, colour photographsracism, media, radio, pitjantjatjara, malarrak, wellington range, rock art, arrernte, fj gillen, engwura, indigenous gambling, ethnography, literacy, erambie mission, yuendumu mens museum, western desert art movement

This is a poster advertising an art exhibition by the Warrnambool artist, Robert Ulmann. The exhibition was held in the Naringal Hall in November/December 1982. Robert Ulmann (1927-1999) was born in Zurich, Switzerland where he studied sculpture and painting. After living in Canada for some time he came to Australia in 1969. From 1970 to 1972 he was employed by the Northern Territory Administration as a manual arts instructor to the aboriginal people of Docker River west of Uluru. He exhibited extensively in city and regional galleries and won numerous awards for his artistic works. His love of wildlife extended to his interest in the Southern Right Whale and he was greatly responsible for publicizing the annual appearance of the whales at Logans Beach in Warrnambool and protecting their environment. His studio in Warrnambool is still visited by many tourists. This poster is of interest as it concerns an art exhibition of the work of Robert Ulmann, a well-known Warrnambool artist of the 20th century. This is a sheet of white paper with black edging. It is an advertisement for a Robert Ulmann Art Exhibition. The page has a sketch of three birds with Robert Ulmann’s signature underneath. robert ulmann, history of warrnambool

Shire of Eltham Archives: Series 69, Item 4 This video was produced for the Shire of Eltham by IMP Productions and provides a description of the shire, 277 square km on a north/northeast axis, some 25 km northeast of the centre of Melbourne with a population of around 40,000. Scenes include Yarra River, rural settings and urban settings, housing estates, Shillinglaw Cottage, Pigeon Bank at Kangaroo Ground, the Eltham Railway Trestle Bridge with reference to the fight by locals in the 1970s to save it from replacement, Montsalvat, mudbrick making and its use as a building material, the use of mudbrick in the Eltham Community Centre blending harmoniously with the environment. Emphasises people living in the area due to the qualities of life provided. Also the Living and Learning Centre, St Andrews Markets and other local markets, the Eltham Leisure Centre, cricket and horse riding at Eltham Lower Park, the Infant Welfare Centre (part of the Eltham War Memorial), how residents are mindful of protecting their historical heritage, the CBA bank and Allwood House at Hurstbridge, Tracey Naughton about the Eltham "As we are" Community Banner project and the “River of Life banner”, the Parks and Gardens office in the former Police Residence building (now the Local History Centre), Alistair Knox Park, road planning and types of roads, tree canopy, Peck's Dam, green carparks, road drainage, Gordon Ford's garden and natural landscapes, and Were Street shops in Montmorency. Planning for shopping facilities and carparks with a population of 40,000 growing to 55,000, Arthur Street Mall and carpark, local village feel in the shopping centre. Councillors and Council staff featured include Mary Grant, Bob Manuell, Rodney Roschellor, John Cohen, Alan Baker. Also scenes of Commercial Place, Diamond Valley Railway, Eltham Galley, Riverclay and canoeing on the Yarra intermingled with images of the shire from the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph collection.VHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:11:56; 79MBshire of eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives, alistair knox park, allwood house, arthur street, arthur street mall, bob manuell, canoeing, carparks, cba bank, commercial place, council staff, councillors, cr. mary grant, cricket, diamond valley railway, eltham community banner project, eltham community centre, eltham galley, eltham leisure centre, eltham living and learning centre, eltham lower park, eltham railway trestle bridge, eltham war memorial, gordon ford garden, horse riding, housing estates, hurstbridge, infant welfare centre, john cohen, kangaroo ground, local history centre, montmorency, montsalvat, mudbrick, parks and gardens, peck's dam, pigeon bank, police residence, river of life banner, riverclay, road drainage, road planning, rodney roschellor, shillinglaw cottage, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, st andrews market, tracey naughton, tree canopy, were street, yarra river, alan baker

Document, Bendigo , A Living Monument To A Golden Age. Local History Seminar Saturday March 16,1985, Campbell Theatrette, North Central Goldfields Library, Hargreaves St, Bendigo. Supported by: Ministry for Planning and Environment, History and Heritage Committee, Victoria's 150th. Anniversary Celebrations. Bendigo City Council. Royal Historical Society, Bendigo. 2 Copies. Pictured H.M. Leggo & Co, Merchants & Importers, High Street, Bendigo.c 1896, shops and offices.Excelsior House name on building. Horses Carts Bicycles and People out the front of the premises.document, names of bendigo pioneers, h.m.leggo & co

This image from 1998 depicts a lady sitting in her kitchen within public housing at Banksia Gardens, Broadmeadows. The houses at Banksia Gardens were designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and support for all community members. This photograph offers a valuable glimpse into the daily life and living conditions during that period, highlighting the socio-economic environment and the role of public housing in providing stability, accessibility, and community support to its residents.This photograph of a lady sitting in her kitchen within public housing at Banksia Gardens, Broadmeadows, taken in 1998, holds significant historical value. The houses at Banksia Gardens were designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and support for all community members. The image provides a poignant glimpse into the daily life and living conditions of the time, highlighting the socio-economic environment and the essential role of public housing in offering stability, accessibility, and community support. It serves as a testament to the efforts made to create a more inclusive and supportive community for residents with diverse needs.Black and white photograph on glossy photograph paper.Lady sitting in her kitchen public housing/Broadmeadows 1998banksia gardens, broadmeadows, accessible housing, 1998

Aboriginal myths, legends and fables create a rich wealth of stories from Aboriginal Cultural heritage. The stories tell of the mystical bonds that exist between Aboriginal people, their environment and the spirit life of the Dreamtime. Each story provides the reader with an insight into the fascinating beliefs of one of the oldest living cultures on earth.murray river, myths, legends, fables, baiame, bunjil, rainbow snake, astronomy, creation stories, dreamtime

1 optical discnon-fictionDrummoyne - Concord History Set Drummoyne: A Western Suburb's History from 1794 Concord: A Centenary History These publications commemorate the centenary of local government in the district and outline the history since settlement to 1982. They contain a number of useful photographs and maps of the area. Local and regional histories often include the names of community leaders such as business people, local government officers and elected members. They name: • Early settlers in the district • Mayors, Aldermen and Town Clerks Local and regional histories provide an insight into the past circumstances and environment of small communities. They give the historian an understanding of how people of the time lived their day-to-day lives. They are of particular interest to family historians who may have ancestors living in the community, as while they may find no mention of their families, they will certainly come across issues and events that they certainly experienced.new south wales, drummoyne-concord (nsw), five dock (nsw)

A Trigger Nozzle Forum was held at the headquarters of Arthritis Victoria (AV) on the 31st of May, 2005. Participants included AV volunteers, the Department of Sustainability & Environment, local MP Johan Scheffer, representatives from Glen Eira City Council, as well as representatives from Nylex Gardenia, Toro (the Pope brand of gardening products), and Bunnings hardware stores. In this photo, a small group of people are sitting around some tables while perusing various garden hose nozzle attachments. There are a few other people standing in the background.COL photo of a small group of people sitting around some tables set up in a circle. The tables have various garden hose nozzle attachments on them, which some people are passing to one another. Behind them, three people are standing in front of a whiteboard. One of them is holding up a thick stack of colour-printed leaflets.[On a while label,typed in black ink] Trigger Nozzle Forum May 2005arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, arthritic aids, gardening aids, trigger nozzle, hose attachments, living with arthritis, living independently, pain management, volunteers, department of sustainability and environment, johan scheffer, member of parliament, mp, glen eira city council, nylex gardenia, pope products, bunnings, forum, update, 2005

A Trigger Nozzle Forum was held at the headquarters of Arthritis Victoria (AV) on the 31st of May, 2005. Participants included AV volunteers, the Department of Sustainability & Environment, local MP Johan Scheffer, representatives from Glen Eira City Council, as well as representatives from Nylex Gardenia, Toro (the Pope brand of gardening products), and Bunnings hardware stores. In this photo, a small group of people are sitting around some tables while perusing various garden hose nozzle attachments. There are a few other people standing in the background.COL photo of a small group of people sitting around some tables set up in a circle. The tables have various garden hose nozzle attachments on them, which some people are looking at or holding. In the background, on either side of an open doorway, a few other people are standing around in the room behind them.[On a while label,typed in black ink] Trigger Nozzle Forum May 2005arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, arthritic aids, gardening aids, trigger nozzle, hose attachments, living with arthritis, living independently, pain management, volunteers, department of sustainability and environment, johan scheffer, member of parliament, mp, glen eira city council, nylex gardenia, pope products, bunnings, forum, update, 2005

A Trigger Nozzle Forum was held at the headquarters of Arthritis Victoria (AV) on the 31st of May, 2005. Participants included AV volunteers, the Department of Sustainability & Environment, local MP Johan Scheffer, representatives from Glen Eira City Council, as well as representatives from Nylex Gardenia, Toro (the Pope brand of gardening products), and Bunnings hardware stores. In this photo, a small group of people are sitting around some tables while perusing various garden hose nozzle attachments. There is another small group of people sitting at another group of tables behind them.COL photo of a small group of people sitting around some tables set up in a circle. The tables have various garden hose nozzle attachments on them. Some people are looking at the garden hose nozzles while others are looking at some brochures. There are also some glasses of orange juice and water and a carafe of water on the table. Behind the group, a few other people are seated at another group of tables. There is a large whiteboard on the wall with an Arthritis Victoria sign sitting on the bottom ledge, leaning back against the whiteboard.[On a while label,typed in black ink] Trigger Nozzle Forum May 2005arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, arthritic aids, gardening aids, trigger nozzle, hose attachments, living with arthritis, living independently, pain management, volunteers, department of sustainability and environment, johan scheffer, member of parliament, mp, glen eira city council, nylex gardenia, pope products, bunnings, forum, update, 2005

ill, maps, p.208.non-fictionThe Iron Roads of the Australian Outback - the legendary Commonwealth Railways were built through some of the harshest landscapes on Earth. They were railways like no other, where men and women battled extreme temperatures, flash floods and maddening isolation to keep the trains running. This publication is the culmination of 25 years of Outback exploration, research, photography and interviews by author Nick Anchen. The result is a diverse book which brings to life both the beauty and harshness of the Australian Outback, through a collection of fascinating and historic images, along with the memories of former Commonwealth Railways employees. Following an introductory chapter on the vastness and grandeur of the Australian interior - highlighted by the memoirs of 1950s flying doctor Macarthur Job - the book delves into the story of the Central Australia Railway. This was the line built through the 'back of beyond' - the forbidding desert country of South Australia and the Northern Territory. It was here that operators of famous trains such as The Ghan battled searing heat, dust storms and raging floodwaters to keep the trains running. The chapter includes stories by well known Ghan conductor 'Aspro' Lyons, and 'Piano Playing Chef' Paddy Greenfield - along with enginemen Wolf Markowski and John Theel, both of whom worked trains on this famous railway. The story of the North Australia Railway - 'The Line to Nowhere' - is the tale of a ramshackle railway which came alive during the dark days of World War II. The memoirs of wartime engineman Jim Prentice are eye opening, as are the hair raising accounts of surviving Tropical Cyclone Tracy, as told by rolling stock foreman Bill Donaldson. The Trans-Australian Railway was built across one of the harshest and loneliest environments on Earth - the vast Nullarbor Plain. Stories from enginemen Jack Slattery and Ron Howrie, along with Nullarbor resident and roadmaster's wife Cathy Beek, tell not only of the rudimentary living conditions and maddening isolation, but of the great camaraderie amongst the railway people who kept trains such as the Trans-Australian and the Tea and Sugar running. As well as examining the ruins and relics from the long-closed CR narrow gauge lines, the book also includes a chapter on the much-loved Pichi Richi Railway - the last surviving portion of that great Transcontinental Railway dream from another age. commonwealth railways (australia) -- history., central australia railway -- history.