Living history: Shane Lennon, Governor Margaret Gardner, Barbara Moss and James Thomas at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. Photo: Supplied
Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner visited the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre on Wednesday, March 13.
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Seymour Railway Heritage Centre vice-president James Thomas and treasurer Barbara Moss welcomed Professor Gardner to the centre. Former Victorian Railways Seymour District superintendent and SRHC life member David Watson hosted the first portion of the visit.
Prof Gardner said she was amazed at the excellent state of preservation and lavishness of the 1906 luxury parlor car, the ‘Yarra’ built for the Melbourne to Albury ‘Sydney Express’ and the massive effort made to keep the carriage in exceptional condition.
The governor walked through to state car number five, specially built in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II’s 1954 Australian tour.
All Victorian governors used it for the following 40 years.
The state car boasts a well-appointed carriage with two full bedrooms and adjacent bathrooms with two full-length baths.
Made for royalty: Governor Margaret Gardner marvels at the interior of the ‘Yarra’ parlor car with James Thomas and David Watson. photo: Supplied
It also has a lounge and dining room at the centre where the governor was shown memorabilia by Mr Watson about historic stationery used by previous governors.
Mr Watson then escorted Prof Gardner to state car number four, a lavish carriage built in 1912 for visiting royalty and other VIPs.
It was used in 1920 by the Prince of Wales, who was later Edward VIII, the Duke of York in 1927, who became King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1983 — the prince now the reigning monarch, King Charles III.
On the 1983 visit, Mr Watson rode in state car number four with the royal couple from Melbourne to Ballarat as the V/Line representative to ensure the rail journey went smoothly.
In doing so, Mr Watson shook the hand of the future king.
For the second portion of the visit, hosted by Shane Lennon, Prof Gardner was directed to the 100-year-old dining carriage named ‘Campaspe’.
Mr Lennon is a professional carpenter who has volunteered to restore this unique piece of Victorian state history.
Mr Lennon explained his work in removing rotten timbers and replacing them with newly handmade side veneers and large timber beams.
He then showed the governor an example of what a typical dining table and chair looked like, which will be used as a pattern for new tables and chairs that he will make.
The governor said she was most grateful for the energetic endeavours of the members of the SRHC in preserving the state’s railway heritage for the people of Victoria.
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