Members Meetings held in 2023
April 2023: Guest speakers: Warren Doubleday and Mal Rowe, “Transporting the workers to the factories of WW2”.
Warren and Mal described how as war production scaled up, there became an urgent transport challenge just as raw materials became scarce. In the period up to 1940, buses were struggling to keep up with patronage to munitions factories.
Important facilities were the Explosives, Pyrotechnic, Ordnance and Ammunition Factories across the Maribyrnong River as well as Essendon Aerodrome and its Beaufort factory. All factories geared up with 24/7 production.
The district also had the increased traffic from the R.A.A.F. units based at the Showgrounds: No.1 Engineering School, No.1 Embarkation Depot, and No.2 Hospital, occupied the Showgrounds from March 1940 to October 1946. Other R.A.A.F. units formed there prior to fighting in the Pacific area.
A partial solution was to extend the Maribyrnong tram line across the river. The bridge was built by the Country Roads Board (CRB) and the single track opened on 23 December 1940, only 75 days after the project was approved. Rail and points were dug up from other parts where tramways were not in active use such as one line in Holden St Fitzroy, curves at Flinders Street station and the Beaumaris tramway.
During 1941 further extensions and duplications were constructed (beside Wests Rd, duplication of Raleigh Rd, Gordon St). To provide power for all the trams, a sub-station was built camouflaged to look like a pond from the air. Built in a paddock, it is still there but now surrounded by development.
In 1942, there was construction of the Moonee Ponds to Union Rd line, the Maribyrnong bridge was duplicated, and Essendon Depot enlarged. When the bridge was duplicated, again by the CRB, they asked who was maintaining the existing one – no body it seems, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) agreed to do it. Many of the routes only operated for shift change, not for the general public.
In 1942, there was construction of the Moonee Ponds to Union Rd line, the Maribyrnong bridge was duplicated, and Essendon Depot enlarged. When the bridge was duplicated, again by the CRB, they asked who was maintaining the existing one – no body it seems, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) agreed to do it. Many of the routes only operated for shift change, not for the general public.
The Essendon Aerodrome line was mostly through open paddocks and was completed by May 1943. A new substation in Queen Street Essendon was built to provide power for the line – even then the lights dimmed when starting a tram at the terminus.
Tram loading exploded. For example, tram numbers in Maribyrnong Rd increased from 41,000 pre-war to 96,000 in 1942. This equates to a tram every 5½ minutes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! The MMTB maintained 95% availability of trams during the period.
The site of the Pyrotechnic Factory will become part of the new Maidstone Depot.
March 2023: Guest Speaker Dr Celestina Sagazio, “Governor Sir Charles Hotham and his Extraordinary Monument”.
Dr Sagazio addressed Sir Charles Hotham’s background, naval career, appointment to Victoria and his memorial.
Hotham was born in 1806 and joined the Royal Navy in 1818, He had a very successful naval career but against his wishes, he was appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Victoria on 6 December 1853.
The Colony of Victoria had the reputation of being the most difficult colonial possession. The Government in London were concerned with financial management as Victoria had a debt of £3 million and the gold fields required improved management.
Hotham arrived in Victoria on 22 June 1854 to enthusiastic crowds and lived at Toorak House, which he and Lady Hotham disliked. In 1855, Hotham was promoted to Governor.
Dr Sagazio discussed his achievements and failures, including the policies with gold licences and the Eureka rebellion. Hotham did his best but his autocratic style and lack of consultation and empathy, meant he was doomed to failure. Early on, he ignored the Executive Council and didn’t delegate. Over-worked with declining health, he caught a chill while opening the Melbourne Gasworks in the rain and died at Toorak on 31 December 1855.
Dr Sagazio described how he came to have the grandest monument in Australia. Erected in the Melbourne General Cemetery, it was 16 metres high. It was dismantled in 1996 due to failures below ground and in the column. Restoration continues but with no government funding. The column is due to be reinstated in 2023. The future of the upper part is less certain.
February 2023: Members Show & Tell
Judy Benson discussed the Essendon Club and donated four club badges to EHS.
Elaine Brogan OAM discussed the 1919 Children’s Peace medal and showed her Centenary of Federation medal.
Rosalie Coutts discussed her Great Great Grandfather George Coutts, a very early settler.
Eve Park presented her Tam O’Shanter, a toby jug and a Penleigh Essendon book.
