Celebration: Local railway enthusiast Charlie Mead, Benalla Historical Society member Ellen Crocker, current Benalla Station employee Phil Rees and State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland at Benalla Station's 150th anniversary event.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
On Friday, August 22 1873 the North East Ensign reported on the ‘Railway Ball’, held to mark the arrival of the first steam train in Benalla.
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Finishing the floors and decorating the ballroom in advance of an all night gala was seemingly as important as getting the station and platforms ready for that first train.
The celebration involved most of the town, as it heralded a new age for the Rose City.
It was now connected to Melbourne, and much of Victoria. In the coming months and years it would be connected to New South Wales and beyond.
It brought goods and services, it brought tourists, it brought jobs and opportunity.
This was an era with no cars. Horse and cart was the best option, other than walking.
It changed Benalla overnight.
Digging: Annabelle Cleeland planted a tree to mark the 150th anniversary of rail in Benalla.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Some 150 years later a large crowd gathered at what is left of Benalla’s grand station to mark the anniversary.
Many of those in attendance were supporting the Save Our Station Campaign, which is seeking further amendments to plans for the station as part of the Inland Rail Project.
There was also a good number of people there to simply celebrate the anniversary and what the rail line meant to Benalla.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland was in attendance and planted a tree to mark the occasion.
Senior executives from the Australian Rail Track Corporation were also there to answer any questions about the proposed station upgrades.
The Benalla Historical Society had arranged the event and with the help of station staff had an exhibition of old photos for attendees to view.
Ms Cleeland said the day was about celebrating and acknowledging the history of the station and what it meant to the town.
History: To celebrate the 150th anniversary of rail in the Rose City, the Benalla Historical Society and Station employees put on an exhibition of photographs documenting the station throughout the past century and a half.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“It’s a day of reflection, gratitude and pride to honour a century and a half of progress, connectivity and shared memories,” Ms Cleeland said.
“(When) the inaugural train departed it marked the beginning of a transformative journey for this town and its people.
“The railway’s impact on Benalla’s growth has been profound. The availability of efficient transportation meant that agricultural products could be easily transported to markets in Melbourne and further afield.
A different time: Travellers wait for their train in Benalla in the late 1800s.
Photo by
Contributed
“It was the start of Benalla’s prosperity.”
Local historian John Hanlon also spoke at the event.
“On August 18, 1873 a public holiday was declared,” he said.
“The people of Benalla were recognising the arrival of the train, it was an exciting time.
“It was a public holiday, but all of the hotels remained open, it was a huge celebration.”
He went on to discuss the success of the ball, which the North East Ensign had so gleefully reported on, and conveyed the excitement and opportunity of that day, 150 years ago, and what it meant to Benalla.
With the arrival of the Inland Rail Project in the coming years Benalla is still playing an important role in Australia’s rail network and supporting the opportunities it brings to the Rose City and beyond.
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