By Tyler Wright
Puffing Billy Railway is celebrating National Volunteer Week this year with the theme Better Together and recognising the work of the more than 300 volunteers who contribute to the local gem.
Marg Dumpleton, Upwey local, became a part of the Railway four years ago after her retirement and has now taken up the role of conductor.
Giving back to the community seems to run in her family’s genes.
“My brother has been there for 60 years now – he sold lollies on the station as a young boy,” Marg said.
“I decided that the time was right for me to check it out for myself.”
Now, every Friday Marg heads to the station to join the crew in keeping the relic alive and carrying on a tradition more than a century old.
“I love going because it’s such a place of happiness, smiles and joy – it’s a delight to go. It gives purpose and meaning and you’re giving the visitors a positive experience as they enjoy our hills.”
The changing environment and autumn leaves hanging off trees in the hills makes a perfect setting for seeing people leave the “worries of the world behind,” Marg said.
“Shy children will be crouching back in their seat in the open carriage, and if you say ‘all aboard’ and get them to repeat it, they just transform.”
Every day, more than five million Australian volunteers share their time, expertise and talent supporting others and those who devote hundreds of hours every year to sustaining the Dandenong Ranges’ authentic heritage steam train experience are no exception.
“That’s one of the good things about being a volunteer at tourist and heritage railways – you can really have a go at anything you want to try your hand at,” Engineman at Puffing Billy Railway Rodney Reed said.
Being a locomotive driver and fireman is something Rodney has been immersed in since he was 16 years of age and is a strong part of the connection between he and his brother – who works full time at the Railway.
“It’s something to do together that makes you feel like you’re worthwhile or achieving something that’s of value to the community,” Rodney said.
“All the effort we put in we can see more people coming down, enjoying history and an experience together [which is] a Melbourne tradition.”
“We were carrying 500,000 passengers a year before Covid. [There was] a lot of international tourists coming to Australia and experiencing one of the best things that Australia has on offer, so you feel proud to be a part of that.”
Marg said a 19th century train running under 21st century regulations could only happen because of the staff and volunteers keeping the locomotive running.
“Their knowledge is phenomenal. People are full of knowledge and full of the joy of sharing it,” she said.
“I love seeing grandparents bringing their grandchildren to make memories with them and parents bringing their children to make memories. It’s intergenerational.”
Volunteers work according to the platform’s schedule and work-life balance, and are always made to feel welcome.
“Working in with the team – that’s probably the best part – and the friends you develop over the years,” Rodney said.
Puffing Billy ran regularly through Victoria’s mountain district and was built to transport goods and passengers through the area.
The railway now travels 24 kilometres through the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake Park and Gembrook, and is one of two survivors of five experimental narrow-gauge lines used to develop rural areas in Victoria during the early 1900s.
To join the team of volunteers at Puffing Billy Railway and be part of living history, visit https://puffingbilly.com.au/volunteer/
No prior qualifications are required and role-specific training is provided.
