Historical information

Photograph of seven male staff and three female staff standing with heads bowed with the likelihood of further men and women out of shot. The senior male at left is Tramways Board Chairman, Retired Major General Robert Risson (knighted in 1970). The location is likely a locker room in the M&MTB Head Office, Little Collins Street where Honour Rolls of staff who had died during war were fixed to walls above the lockers. A clock shows 11am, presumably on 11 November sometime in the 1960s, recalling the cesation of World War One. At this exact time each year across the tram network all tramcars were halted in the streets by order of the Board as a mark of respect. The young age of the uniformed female staff compared with the male staff reflected the still current practice that once a woman married she ceased employment.

Significance

Yields information about administration of Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board.

Physical description

Black and white photograph with no note