The Emerald Tourist Railway Board (ETRB) on Sunday 1 October celebrated its 40th birthday.
There are few people more proud of this achievement for the management body for Puffing Billy, than founding board member and Puffing Billy chief executive officer, John Robinson.
Mr Robinson became involved with Puffing Billy in the early 1960s, volunteering his time to assist the railway with its administration.
In 1975, he joined the executive committee of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society (PBPS) and on 1 October 1977, John was elected to the first ETRB as one of the four PBPS representatives.
Mr Robinson said that while much has changed over the 40 years since the ETRB’s establishment, much has stayed the same, particularly the passion and commitment of the volunteer force that keeps Puffing Billy operating.
“The 40th anniversary of the ETRB is an absolute tribute to the volunteers and staff who have made Puffing Billy’s success possible,” John said.
“Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, when the railway was saved from closure, there was no money and no paid employees. It was 100 per cent volunteer driven.
“When the ETRB was established in 1977, the train only operated on weekends and public holidays.
“Today, we are operating a minimum of four trains every day (except Christmas Day) and are nearing capacity under current operations.
“Paid employees have increased from 13 to 65 full-time equivalent, and volunteers from around 400 to over 900.”
Mr Robinson said Puffing Billy is now a major tourist attraction for Victoria and is the largest not-for-profit, narrow gauge steam railway run by volunteers in the world.
Max Bracher is one such volunteer.
Mr Bracher is 23 years old and is completing his Masters of Architecture at Melbourne University.
He has been volunteering at Puffing Billy for more than seven years and encourages other young people to get involved.
“I have always lived in Emerald so Puffing Billy was a much-loved part of my childhood and was deeply entrenched in the hearts of everyone in the local community,” he said.
“I decided to join the railway as a volunteer when I was 15.
“Since this time, I have had the opportunity to volunteer in many different roles, including as a conductor, head conductor, guard, signalman and on numerous administrative committees.
“Being part of Puffing Billy is a great social experience.
“I get to meet people from all over the world and in return promote the Dandenong Ranges.”
To celebrate the anniversary, Puffing Billy will be holding a volunteer thankyou event every morning until Friday 6 October.
A board member will be handing out lunchboxes to volunteers and a cartoonist will be on the platform to sketch each volunteer as a thankyou gift.
For volunteering opportunities at Puffing Billy, visit www.puffingbilly.com.au.
