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Ballarat Tramway eNews
No. 42, September 1971.
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Fifty Years

Celebrating the Ballarat trams

On 19 September 1971, the last trams operated in the streets of Ballarat. The tramway had opened in 1887 as a horse powered service by the Ballaarat Tramway Company. Now a small section of the original tramway allows a three km round trip through the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, operated by the volunteers of the Ballarat Tramway Museum, with many of the original historic tram cars. Plans to celebrate the both the Ballarat trams, and the 50 years of dedication by the volunteers at the BTM have been postponed as a result of the COVID 19 lockdowns.

A short video has been made to mark the occasion with original film from Ballarat's BTV 6, and interviews with several of our members who were there to see the last tram. Photo of Tram 40 entering the depot for the last time, Warren Doubleday, September 1971
The video can be found on our Facebook page and there is also a link on the home page of our website.
During 2021 work has continued on our new museum building, funded by the generous donations of our members. We are expecting to take possession of the building next week, and it makes an amazing 50th birthday present. It will take a couple of months to set the building up with displays, but we hope to open to the public before Christmas.
Further funding is needed to develop new displays, and to construct the access tracks to join the existing tramway. The State Government has committed funds towards reconstruction of some of the track in Wendouree Parade, and the City of Ballarat is seeking funds to ensure that all the track will be rebuilt. Photo by Virginia Fenelon shows the new display hall.
The first 50 years has been quite a journey to preserve the tramway and its trams, and the next 50 years will see the museum develop into a major tourist destination. Part of the building included opening up the rear of the site to Gillies Street, where a new carpark has been constructed. Photo: Virginia Fenelon
The new building has been developed with proper facilities for visitors, including accessible toilets. A new "tram shop" has been constructed and will carry an increased range of tram related products including books, DVDs, postcards, models, clothing, badges and more. Photo: Virginia Fenelon
The Ballaarat Tramway Company, 1887-1903
The Electric Supply Company, 1903-1933
The State Electricity Commission, 1933-1971
The Ballarat Tramway Museum, 1971 - 2021, and still going strong...
At the current time because of COVID restrictions, we do not know when the Museum will reopen.
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Copyright © 2021 Ballarat Tramway Museum Inc., All rights reserved.


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