THE
DIAMOND VALLEY RAILWAY
CHAPTER TWO:
GETTING ESTABLISHED
A jubilant band of young men met at Ray Savage's flat in Darebin
to discuss the formation of the first permanent way, the restoration
of the old plank-and-box carriages and locomotive D1. This
inaugural meeting was held with the following personnel present:
- Clem Meadmore
- Ray Savage
- Syd Gillies
- Alan Calder
- Jim Wilicox
- John Murdoch
- Ron May
- Miss Olive Savage took minutes.
Clem Meadmore took charge of the permanent way design. Syd
Gillies and Ray Savage were given the task of restoring the sole
locomotive. Jim Willcox and Alan Calder were the overseers of
the job of gathering the old 3/4" x 3/8" iron bar rail from
Northcote and Chelsworth Park, and transporting it to the new site
at Eltham Lower Park.
The Progress Engineering Company was commissioned to erect the
Railway's first decent building after a loan was obtained from
Alan Calder. It was a large, garage type building, measuring
some 20 ft wide x 30 ft long and 8 ft high, clad in formed
galvanised iron sheeting. Entry was gained by opening two sets of
large swing doors. The 'shed', as it was known in those days,
was the Railway's workshop, lunch room, change room, kitchen,
store room, clubhouse and Way & Works factory, all rolled into
one, for many years.
The Shed floor was levelled and work commenced on the laying of
the original yards and sidings in front of the Shed. Meanwhile,
Clem Meadmore had enlisted the aid of a local bulldozer operator
to form the permanent way earthworks. After many breakdowns and
hot, dusty weekends the rough earthworks were completed to Clem
Meadmore's 'mental' plans and specifications.
During the first permanent way construction works, many new workers
joined the band of Railway builders. We witnessed the introduction
of William (Bill) Pert; his father, William (Pop) Pert;
followed by Arthur Cowan, a local businessman. It soon became a
picnic-work affair, when Bill Pert's wife, Joyce and daughters,
Faye and Cherry along with Arthur Cowan's son, Ken joined forces
with Ron May's father, Ron (senior), in the hard yakka of smoothing
out the new earthworks. Soon after, came Peter Nielsen; Bob
Baker and his brother, Alan; and another young lady, Marian
Edward. How little did they realise at the time the tremendously
important part they would play in the formation and subsequent
management of the Diamond Valley Miniature Railway Club.
It would suffice to say, at this juncture, that the most inspiring
member of the first permanent way gang was the lovable and
spritely, 75 year old, 'Pop' Pert. A former VR Signal Construction
employe; he belied his age as he toiled away with a heavy 10
lb hammer on his tree-stump anvil, straightening and curving the
old, twisted rails ready for installation. After much pick and
shovel work, the first permanent way was slowly being formed into
what looked like a squashed kidney shape: all of this was carried
out without the aid of a level or survey pegs, but to a plan
firmly implanted in the mind of the owner, Clem Meadmore.
Fate took a hand just prior to the laying of the first Mainline
rail. Mr Meadmore arrived at the site, and as he was walking up
to the site of the present Diamond Valley station, he was taken
by a sudden heart attack. A dramatic dash to hospital and a long
rest period had the physically weak veteran back on his feet
again; only sheer will power forced him to go on with the dream
of seeing his Railway running again.
It was during February 1961, whilst the Mainline was under
construction, that discussions were held between Clem Meadmore and
Arthur Cowan about the Railway's future. He desperately wanted
to see the first train run at Eltham and, in the event of his
passing, to see the young fellows, who had stood by him, remain
with the Railway. He expressed the hope that some of the older
men would come forward and help the young enthusiasts in the
legal matters, until they were old enough to carry on in their
own right. Clem had drawn up a will, in which he was going to
leave the Railway, with all of its ramifications, to the men that
he could trust to carry on. However, Bill Pert and Arthur Cowan
had other ideas: a meeting was called at Eltham to discuss the
future of the Railway. The suggestion was put forward to form a
Club, and after a few thoughtful puffs on his pipe, Clem agreed
to the idea and wanted to know how they proposed to go about it.
On the following Sunday, a meeting of all the boys and men decided
that the only committment at this stage, was the monthly installment
of £9/15/-, due on the Shed. Those present collected £10
between them for that month's payment. It was also agreed that,
from that week on, all the men would pay £1 per month and the
boys in apprenticeships, 10/- per month. This agreement continued
until the first Club Meeting, which was held on the 23rd
July, 1961 at Ray Savage's flat. The first Committee was elected
and consisted of: Clem Meadmore - Chairman; Ray Savage - Secretary
and Arthur Cowan - Treasurer.
Many names were suggested for the, as yet unnamed, Club. The
Meeting finally decided upon 'Diamond Valley Miniature Railway
Club' as the full title, and the 'Diamond Valley Railway' in
short terms. It was also decided that the membership subscription
would continue as previously agreed.
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