By MARG STORK
A RECENT query from Barbara Linton on the wooden train turntable at the Dandenong railway station, where steam locomotives were turned around to return to Melbourne and other destinations, has helped revive Keith Purton’s memories of the steam age.
Keith, 74, was a fireman on the D3 class steam engines and later became an engine driver.
He has lived in Noble Park for 45 years and worked day and night shifts.
“I can recall the trains taking pigs to the Dandy Hams and Bacon factory just up from the Dandenong station,” he writes.
Trains also supplied “goods to the State Electricity Commission abutting the train lines on the opposite side to the bacon factory, coal to HJ Heinz and sand to Dandenong Glass Works to make glass”.
“After day shift we would put water on the coals in the cabin of the trains.
“People would be under the misapprehension that we would be dirty but working in the cabin we were not, as we would meticulously wash everything we touched.”
When I attended Dandenong High School I remember students from the school travelled daily to and from Koo Wee Rup in a carriage behind a goods train, which was often carting potatoes from ‘The Swamp’. I often wondered what type of engine pulled the train. Now I know, thanks to Keith, that it was diesel.
Society makes history
For 50 years, Dandenong and District Historical Society, which operates from rooms in the Houlahan Centre in Foster Street, has been collecting and preserving documents and items of interest to not only the present residents of Greater Dandenong but also residents of the future.
On Saturday, June 15 society members will make history themselves when they hold a golden anniversary luncheon for volunteers and VIP guests at the Dandenong Club, corner Heatherton and Stud roads, at 12.30pm.
As guest speaker, City of Greater Dandenong’s chief executive John Bennie will talk about Dandenong’s future. For some months now, Chris Keys, president of the society’s committee, has highlighted in her newsletter In Touch plans for the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Plans include a “super edition” of Gippsland Gate magazine, the special luncheon and in June and July a school photography competition.
Winners of the competition will be announced at the society’s Then and Now 1963-2013 exhibition in September.
Bully busters
Noble Park Secondary College principal Pam Dyson and the college’s teachers are to be complimented on the steps they have taken to protect students from being bullied with their Bully Busters program.
All students in years 7 and 8 at the Callaghan Road school attended the annual anti-bullying play Bully Busters performed by Class Act Theatre on April 30.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email easteditorial@mmpgroup.com.au or post submissions to A Moment with Marg, c/o The Dandenong Journal, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
