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Train, village honoured

Upwey Village Committee is proud to be named a joint winner with Puffing Billy, back from left, Christian O’Dea, Mark Addison, James Donnelly, and front left, Jenny Mathews, Nathaniel Clift, and Jeni Findlay.Upwey Village Committee is proud to be named a joint winner with Puffing Billy, back from left, Christian O’Dea, Mark Addison, James Donnelly, and front left, Jenny Mathews, Nathaniel Clift, and Jeni Findlay.

By Tania Martin
IT’S full steam ahead for Puffing Billy and Upwey’s township group as after they shared an Australia Day honour.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges found it impossible to choose between the groups when awarding its 2007 Community Group of the Year.
Puffing Billy Preservation Society and the Upwey Village Committee are excited about the joint award.
The preservation society has a rich history in the Hills. It was started 50 years ago when a group of people got together to save the century old train from the scrap heap.
Since then Puffing Billy has been developed into a world famous attraction.
Volunteers are the heart of the organisation and help keep it running smoothly.
It is one of the largest volunteer organisations in Victoria with more than 600 active people putting up their hands to make Puffing Billy one of the best tourist attractions in the country.
Puffing Billy volunteer coordinator Sue Ham said 35 volunteers a day help with the running of the train.
Ms Ham said although the society applied for the award it was still a shock when it was announced that Puffing Billy was a joint winner.
“It acknowledges all the hard work and the great job that all our volunteers do,” she said.
“We are thrilled to be involved in Australia Day – it’s just wonderful to be a part of something this big.”
Christian O’Dea of Upwey Village Committee said it was not only a great honour to win the award but to be placed in such company as the ‘iconic’ Puffing Billy.
“To be recognised in the same vein as a group like Puffing Billy is just terrific,” he said.
The village committee is being recognised for its commitment to working to decrease graffiti.
In 2006 the group paved the way for graffiti prevention programs by working with both the shire and Victoria Police.
Mr O’Dea said the Australia Day award would spur the group to continue its work to fight against graffiti.
“We are just trying to make the community and township a better place and this award gives up a wonderful feeling,” he said.

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