Steam train platform
appeal
SHE’LL BE
COMING ROUND ….. POLICEMAN’S POINT
A surprise
$5000 donation has been made to the Steam Tram Platform Appeal in memory of a
former resident of Sorrento. In making the donation, the Merrin Foundation has
advised the Appeal Committee that it was made as this person “had a love affair
with Sorrento”.
The donation
is “wonderful news” according to Acting Chair Des Young, who himself is
“fanatical about all things historic”. The project represents a unique
opportunity to complete the restoration of Sorrento Park, Policemen’s Point and
the steam tram platform as a linked walkway to the Sorrento front beach, pier
and ferry terminal.
The Appeal
is hopeful of raising the $46,000 needed and this “donation is a real shot in
the arm”, Des adds.
Donations
can be made to the Steam Tram Platform Appeal, PO Box 157, Sorrento 3943.
Further
details: Des Young 5984 0312 (Posted 15 August 2007)
MERLE’S
MEMORIES
For 94 year
old Merle Kermode, the Sorrento Steam Tram holds special memories of an annual
family excursion each Australia Day. Merle has very clear recollections of her
first trip as a 4 year old and for the many that followed. The journey would
begin at 8:00 am at the Gardiner Railway station in Glen Iris, involved a ferry
ride on one of the paddle steamers, the Hygeia, the Ozone or the Weerona and
finally, the Steam Tram ride to the Sorrento Back Beach.
Merle’s
parents, four of their five children (one of Merle’s siblings always “got
seasick” so she would not come) and family friends from Elmore would organize
sandwiches and homemade cake that would be carefully wrapped and packed the
night before in a picnic basket. For the children, there was raspberry cordial,
for the adults, a thermos of tea. Everyone, Merle remembers, wore a sun hat
except her Father, who wore a felt hat.
On board the
ferry, there would be a Scottish pipe and drum band all dressed in matching
Highland kilts who would play brackets of music as they marched up and down the
deck. The excitement would mount as they would near Sorrento. There was a
“steep hill” to climb to go over the bridge to the platform where the tickets
were sold. All the while, the Guard would be calling out “All aboard! All
aboard! The whistle would blow and the tram would “rattle and shake” all the
way to the Back Beach. No stopping in Sorrento!
Sorrento’s
famous rock pools were the final destination, even though, as Merle says, very
little swimming was done. It was too difficult to carry wet bathers and damp
towels home. As unthinkable as it might be today, no one brought a camera, a
ball or toys to play with. Merle was happy to wander around with her Father and
to pick up shells while the adults walked to the cliffs to enjoy the views.
The Steam
Tram whistle would blow in the middle to late afternoon and that was the signal
to all the day visitors that it was time to leave. Everyone was a lot quieter
on the way home.
Merle is now
living in Bendigo, however, her daughter Bronwyn George lives in Sorrento and
keeps her up to date with the Platform restoration plans. Bronwyn says that her
Mother is delighted with the project and “She would like nothing better than to
see it when it is completed.”
PHOTO:
Bronwyn George and Merle Kermode reading “Tram To Sorrento”.
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