I WRITE regarding the story regarding Puffing Billy’s winter closure to Gembrook, weekends excepted.
With sincere apologies and sympathy to Gembrook traders and all fantastic volunteers, perhaps there is some merit in this decision.
We have long thought that the return fare Belgrave to Gembrook at $89 a family ticket is not “family friendly”. Add to this other fares, fuel, food etc. and it’s an expensive day out.
Should the weather turn on its worst then a real downer – no rain checks.
By its very nature, a ride on Puffing Billy needs a fine day. Friends of ours did the round trip as part of a club outing last June. They got no further than the railway tea rooms with an outside temperature of eight degrees and biting winds.
“Never again,” was their comment. Unfairly, the last impression is often the lasting one.
Gembrook is a great town with much to offer, but does compete with many other Hills attractions.
What about promoting bus trips during the leaner months with a “bushmans lunch” included and/or discounts on town purchases?
This was done successfully some years back by a Gembrook tea rooms proprietor, which was most popular with seniors groups.
Good business must first give to get, and that includes Puffing Billy.
Sue and Roy Green
Cockatoo
I HAVE just read that owners risk penalties of up to $22,000 or two years in prison if an animal in their care dies due to being left in the heat without shade.
Presumably this must also apply to sheep and cattle.
If so, why aren’t the police driving around the countryside and prosecuting all the farmers who blatantly fail to provide any shade for the animals confined on their property in this searing heat.
The suffering of these helpless animals in 40-degree temperatures is surely unimaginable.
Jenny Moxham
Monbulk
