For a third year The Rotary Club of Emerald and District and Puffing Billy Railway have collaborated for a spectacular event: The Train of Lights with the Club’s barbecue marathon occurring each evening from Thursday 3 July to Sunday 20 July.
The train displaying coloured lights on the outside of its carriages departs from Lakeside Emerald at 6pm each evening and travels through the Dandenong Ranges after dark providing the passengers with a spectacular moving light show.
Last year the event took place over 25 nights however due to staffing and cost constraints for Puffing Billy to run this event and continue their normal daily service, this year the period was reduced by one week to 18 days, which is a long time when providing the staffing and maintaining the trains.
The popularity from the previous year’s saw tickets selling out within two hours of them going on sale.
Community groups are renowned for their incredible fundraising barbecues – creating a buzzing atmosphere outside local shops.
Emerald Rotary has again taken its barbecue game to new heights, learning the best way to be able to instantly service 242 passengers when they arrive at the halfway point of the train trip at Gembrook Railway Station.
When Puffing Billy Railway originally approached Emerald Rotary with the proposition of running a barbecue on each night of the Train of Lights extravaganza, the Club eagerly presented the idea to its members.
Following an overwhelming response, it was unanimously decided that they would rise to the challenge and work all consecutive nights. Not surprisingly the members were fully behind the venture with family members stepping up to assist. They now are quite happy to put aside several evenings from 5.30pm – 8.00pm, when the train departs on its return trip to Lakeside in Emerald.
On Thursday 3 July, the barbecue marathon kicked off with a train trial run evening for volunteer groups. A dedicated team of eight passionate Rotary Club members were ready for them at the Gembrook Railway Station, skilfully juggling sizzling sausages and onions to a deluge of happy travellers who had just experienced the breathtaking spectacle of vibrant landscapes illuminated by lights.
A comprehensive roster was prepared by Rotary organisers John Henderson, Toni-Anne Griffin and Roy Bowyer ensuring coverage for the entire duration of the event from that first night to Sunday 20 July.
Determining the quantities of sausages, bread, and onions required posed a challenge initially however, in the third year the Club had a much better idea of stock requirements.
But they did have an additional challenge thrown their way when Metro Trains approached Rotary with the request that they serve 400 sausages on Thursday 17 July as they had booked out the whole train for their employees and families and would like them all to receive sausages. As ever the Rotary team have been able to take on this logistical challenge.
Thanks to the generous support of Alan from Emerald Meats, renowned for his commitment to community barbecues, the Rotary Club decided to utilise his top-quality sausages again. Even though it is an unusual order, Alan has worked closely with the Club to guarantee a seamless supply. Sauces and gas bottles were sourced locally from IGA Gembrook and the bread was baked fresh each day sourced from the Cockatoo Bakery.
It is hoped that with the success of this event to date that Emerald Rotary can continue in the years to come as it allows the Club to generate much needed funds which are passed onto the local Community.
