Cranbourne Botanic Gardens: A Friendly Affair!

The Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens boast an amazing Australian bushland experience, with over 10kms of walking trails, and over 100,000 plants from 1,900 varieties (450 of which are Indigenous plants.) Setting it apart from all the other Royal Botanic Gardens is the fact that Cranbourne Gardens is on land that was never cleared of its indigenous vegetation.

Once known as the Cranbourne Reserve, owned by the Australian Army, and utilised for Light Horse training, parts of the area had been quarried for sand and topsoil. However, there were large areas that had remained untouched. This made the location perfect for a Royal Botanic Park focused on native plant species and landscapes. The area, over 475 acres, was acquired in 1969 using funds from the Maud Gibson Trust. Then, work began!

The gardens opened in 1989 and were an immediate success. During development, the main goal had been to create an area of sanctuary for the largest colony of Southern Brown Bandicoots in Victoria, living in our region, and a space welcoming to community. This goal was most definitely accomplished!

The overwhelming success of the gardens meant that the need for a Friends Group of volunteers to care for the space was pressing. Flyers went out to the community in 1991, and on its first founding meeting more than 200 community members were in attendance and became involved.

Now, a new publication, ‘Of Friends & Gardens: A History of the Cranbourne Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria,’ by Carolyn Landon (author and member of the group) explores the history of the Cranbourne Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

It follows the site from its earliest inception, including the many successes of the group; establishing nurseries, as well as the Maud Gibson room and library (for use by members and staff.) The group now boasts 600 members and several special interest groups, including illustration, craft, photography and growing. Exhibitions and presentations are frequently held in the gardens, and the group publishes a seasonal newsletter for those passionate about Australian plants and wildlife.

The history and images contained within the pages of this book are stunning- almost every page is adorned with a new photograph. The book is available to borrow from our library – just click here.

Search the Cranbourne Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria website for more information!

 
(Cranbourne Run, 1996. Botanic Gardens middle of image.)

References
Carolyn Landon. (2021). Of friends and gardens: A history of the Cranbourne friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Hardie Grant Media.

Cranbourne Friends, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Inc. (2018). Cranbourne Friends, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Website. https://rbgfriendscranbourne.org.au/

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. (n.d.). Cranbourne Gardens. Website. https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/cranbourne-gardens/

Images
City of Casey. (1996). 1996 Cranbourne Run 000 N9933. Image. https://cclc.libsvic.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/267423/0

Carolyn Landon. (2021). Of friends and gardens: A history of the Cranbourne friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Hardie Grant Media.

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The City of Western Port - the name that never became

Cranbourne local government began as the Cranbourne Road District in 1860 and then became Cranbourne Shire in 1868.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Cranbourne

The original Cranbourne Shire Offices, on the corner of High and Sladen Streets

In 1994, Cranbourne Shire was moving towards gaining City status and as part of the process, a new name was being explored.

The first indication of the preferred name was reported in various newspaper articles, including in the Berwick Journal 12 October 1992.  In the article “Cranbourne to become a city” it was announced that the Shire of Cranbourne was to become a City on it’s 125^th anniversary in 1993. 

The name chosen for the new City Council was the City of Western Port. Cranbourne Shire Chief Executive Officer – Terry Vickerman - was reported as saying that the name was chosen to “….reflect the geographic location of the municipality rather than the present name which focused on one major town.”

In that same article, Mr Vickerman said “Council also seeks the views of surrounding councils, particularly in relating to the choice of name because neighbouring councils also have an affinity with Western Port.  Indeed some, like Cranbourne, have an actual frontage to Western Port.”

The support of Berwick Council to the new name was reported in that same article, as Council having “no objection" to the Shire of Cranbourne being named City of Western Port.

But this was no happily ever after.

In Berwick Journal of 19 October 1992, in the article “Dandenong unhappy with name choice”.
“Dandenong does not favour the name Western Port being used by Cranbourne Shire…….  Dandenong said that while it did not wish to interfere with what was a local issue, the name Western Port was already used to describe the region.”

In that same edition, in the article “Name change would be a ‘slap in the face’.”  Springvale Councillor Graeme Duggan was quoted as saying “The term Western Port refers to the whole region and I fear a name change would mean it would refer only to Cranbourne in future.  Cranbourne is a name residents should be proud of as it indicates a municipality that has a long history.”  Springvale Council was reported as having opposed the change.”

In the Cranbourne Independent of 11^th November 1992 article “It’s a no go for Western Port”, it was reported that Flinders Council and the Shires of Bass and Hastings also objected to the proposed name change.  Hastings Council reported that they had “previously considered changing its own name to Western Port” and that it felt “other councils which bordered the Western Port foreshore would see the move as “un-neighbourly.”

The protests were taken on board by the Shire of Cranbourne, as the decision was made to retain the Cranbourne name.  In the booklet released for the Proclamation of the City of Cranbourne, it was reported that Cranbourne Shire did celebrate its 125^th anniversary, but instead of with a name change, it celebrate by having an official opening of the Municipal Offices by the then Premier Jeff Kennett, on 24 February 1993.

Postcard released to celebrate the Shire of Cranbourne's 150th anniversary

Instead, the City of Cranbourne was officially proclaimed at the still relatively new Council Offices, by the then Governor of Victoria Sir Richard McGarvie, on Friday 22^nd April 1994.

City of Cranbourne logo

 

City of Cranbourne Coat of Arms

       

The City of Cranbourne had no time to settle in however, as on 15 December 1994, it was abolished and split into six portions, the largest part of which was merged with the City of Berwick to become the City of Casey.

Michelle McLean

For more of the history of the Shire of Cranbourne, please visit “Cranbourne Shire Sesquicentenary”.

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Cranbourne Railway Station photographs from the Public Records Office of Victoria

The Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV) have a collection of photographs produced by the Victorian Railways, Public Transport Corporation and other agencies which they collectively call the  Photographic Collection: Railway Negatives - you can access it here (or www.prov.vic.gov.au > Explore the collection  > Photographic collections > Public Transport Photo collection) 

Here are the photographs showing the Cranbourne Railway Station, most likely from the 1950s or 1960s, when Cranbourne was still a country town. To see photographs of Pakenham from this collection, click here. To see photographs of Berwick from this collection, click here. 

Cranbourne, South Gippsland Highway level crossing, R class steam locomotive departing left side including derm and trailer

PROV -  Photographic Collection: Railway Negatives: Alpha-numeric Systems (VPRS12800)

H 5222a b/w signals

Cranbourne, South Gippsland Highway Level Crossing

PROV -  Photographic Collection: Railway Negatives: Alpha-numeric Systems (VPRS12800)

H 5223 B/W Signals

Cranbourne, South Gippsland Highway Level Crossing

 PROV -  Photographic Collection: Railway Negatives: Alpha-numeric Systems (VPRS12800)

H 5224 B/W Signals

View of Down End Cranbourne Station showing Water Tank 

[the next station in this direction was Clyde]

 PROV -  Photographic Collection: Railway Negatives: Alpha-numeric Systems (VPRS12800)

H 5227 B/W Station

View of Down End Cranbourne Station showing Water Tank.

[the next station in this direction was Clyde]

 PROV -  Photographic Collection: Railway Negatives: Alpha-numeric Systems (VPRS12800) H 5225 B/W Station

To see photographs of Pakenham from this collection, click here. To see photographs of Berwick from this collection, click here.

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Back to Cranbourne, April 1927

Over 400 people attended a Back-to Cranbourne in April 1927. There was a full report of the weekend's activities in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of April 21, 1927. You can read the report on Trove, here, and it is also transcribed, below. It is an interesting account of the events that took place over three days at Easter, April 16th to 18th 1927 and interesting to see the names of the old residents.


BACK TO CRANBOURNE
Thursday and Friday saw visitors arriving at Cranbourne by every train and quietly establishing themselves in the homes of relatives and old-time friends. Saturday morning—the opening of the celebrations, the early train emptied at Cranbourne, and motors, buggies, jinkers and pedestrians fought their way to the old township, where banners, bunting and decorations of every kind gave festive tone to the excited gathering. Long before the appointed hour, visitors and residents began to foregather in the market place (the historic meeting point of Cranbourne), and very early the seating accommodation provided had to be augmented. After the Gippsland train arrived with reinforcements, the Rev. D. Bruce, President of the movement, opened the gathering with an appropriate address of welcome. Whilst the ladies served morning tea, several old one-time residents responded.

Mr. Josiah Allen told of Cranbourne as he found it in 1862 after a journey of 14 hours from Melbourne. Angus Cameron traced its development from his infancy. Mr. J. Nelson, told of its ancient glory, and Mr.Frank Facey referred to the great pleasure they all experienced in seeing again the faces of old friends. The Rev. Thomson, one-time Vicar of Cranbourne, also expressed the pleasure he and Mrs. Thomson felt at being present. Mr. R. C. Garlick, secretary, apologised for the absence of Messrs. William Brunt (who was not well enough to attend). H. White, A. L. N. Walter, M.L.A., and many others. In the absence of the Shire President and all the local Councillors, Cr. J. Crabbe, of Devon Meadows, the only Councillor present, spoke, and wished the celebration
every success.

After lunch, a large number proceeded to the old school at Clyde North, where further reunions were enjoyed and school, under the direction of Mr. T. A. Twyford, the respected master of olden days, was conducted. “Tardy scholars” were still in evidence, and punishment duly admnistered. Contrary to the olden school practice, afternoon tea was dispensed, and all returned to Cranbourne happily appreciative of their reception in the old school. In Cranbourne a football match between Well’s-road and Cranbourne provided an exciting entertainment for those who stayed home.

In the evening a concert and social evening was held in (and out of) the Shire Hall. Long before 8 o’clock the building was filled to overflowing, and hundreds had to be content with what they could see and hear through the windows. By way of keeping the anxious throng quiet Mrs. Norman McLeod played old but popular airs, which all joined in singing. The gathering was the largest recorded in the history of Cranbourne.

The Rev. Bruce presided, and the whole programme, with one or two exceptions, was provided by former leaders of song and speech. Two very old-timers, “Mr. and Mrs. Donovan” (afterwards discovered to be Messrs. Paddy and Ernie Einsiedel), were introduced to the audience in due form by the secretary, and their silent comedy “brought the house down.” Miss Faulkiner then steadied the fun with a very fine pianoforte selection of popular airs, and after Mrs. Evans had splendidly rendered the “Floral Dances,” Mr. Josiah Allen, a former well-known identity, gave a short speech reminiscent of 50 years ago. Master Angus Facey, a young scion of the Facey-Bethune clan, then favored the audience with a violin solo. Miss F. Hart gave a recitation, “Make My Coffee Strong.”

Back to Cranbourne, April 18, 1927. 

Left to right - George Binding, ? Cameron, Jim Binding, Harry Bird. 

Seated - Donald McKay. 

Cranbourne Shire Historical Society photo

Mr. Alex. McLellan an ex-Councillor of the Cranbourne Shire, was then in introduced by Mr. Garlick. His Celtic blood was up, and for a short period he kept the house in a whirl, and could the bagpipes have been introduced there would have been nothing lacking His name sounded Scotch, his speech commenced the same, but ended in the wild Irish song, “Tim Flaherty.”

Miss Jessie Cameron, a descendant of the Cameron clan, who invaded these parts in the early 50’s, then sang “Back to Dear Old Cranbourne.” Mrs. Avard (Ada Hunter) sweetly sang Angus McDonald,” and so prepared the way for another “old-timer,” Mr. Angus Cameron, who told of “the good boys” who inhabited Cranbourne 60 years ago, how they “borrowed” fruit from the gardens, chased kangaroos, swam in the lagoons, and altogether established a standard for all succeeding generations of “good boys. ’ He told, too, of the wonderful horsemen of those days—Jim Adams, Will Lyall, and Frank McCraw. Mrs.Sibley sang “Coming Home,” and Mrs. Avard and Miss Inez Hunter sang the duet, “Maying.”

Mr. R. Herkes, another old-time Councillor, said he would like to make a speech, but was afraid someone might “pinch his seat,” and so, imagining that Cranbourne was as bad as ever, was taking no risks. The Rev. and Mrs. Bruce astonished the house by the splendid way in which they rendered the duet, “Keys of Heaven.”

Cr. Wm. Greaves spoke on behalf of the pioneering Greaves family, and Mr. Norman Brunt on behalf of his father (Mr. Wm. Brunt) who for 20 years held a seat in the local Council, and who was to have opened the proceedings, but was too ill to do so. Mrs.Radford, another one-time resident, then favored the audience with a song, “My ’Ain Folk,” accompanied by Mr. Angus Facey on the violin. Mr. Ernie Einsiedel turned the house “upside down and inside out” with a couple of his inimitable comics. Had Mr.Einsiedel taken to the stage in his youth Harry Lauder would not be known. Mr. William Greening, a 66-year old “boy,” told more tales of early Cranbourne, and how he held the ‘gobbler” by the neck and went in swimming.

Finally, with Mrs. Norman McLeod at the piano, and Mr. Evans wielding the baton, the whole audience broke into song, and the “Swannee River,” “Home, Sweet Home,” and “Auld Lang Syne” ended an evening of unalloyed enjoyment, followed by supper.

Sunday morning saw all  the churches full, afternoon the Sunday schools, and in the evening the town assembled in the Shire Hall, where a people’s service was conducted by the Rev. Douglas Bruce, who took as the theme of his discourse the one word, “Home.” All that “Home” meant both on earth and in Heaven, was splendidly expounded.

A united choir filled the stage, and Miss Elsie Bethune at the organ led a large congregation in fervent praise and thanksgiving. The collection was equally divided between the three churches — Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian.

The celebrations, which were most successful throughout, concluded on Monday. It was proposed to hold sports and a football match on the recreation reserve, but the crowd was so large that this could not be done. An “old-time” ball was held at night, and the Shire Hall, Parish Hall, State School, and Poole’s motor garage had to be used to accommodate the dancers.

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High Street Cranbourne, 1984.

These photographs are from the National Archives of Australia - they show High Street in Cranbourne, corner of Sladen Street,  and were taken in 1984, presumably in April 1984 by the record number. I don't know what the occasion was but there are 7,352 photos in the series, taken all around Australia, so there must have been some purpose behind them. Look at the price of Super at the Shell Service Station - 47.9 cents per litre!.

High Street, Cranbourne 1984. Shell service station on the left, with Skewes SSW supermarket, next to it. 

National Archives of Australia B583, 4/1984 31147686

High Street, Cranbourne 1984. Kelly's Hotel is just right of centre.

National Archives of Australia B583, 4/1984 31147687

High Street, Cranbourne 1984. Not often you see  a tractor in High Street today.

National Archives of Australia B583, 4/1984 31147688

High Street, Cranbourne 1984

National Archives of Australia B583, 4/1984 31147689

High Street, Cranbourne 1984

National Archives of Australia B583, 4/1984 31147690

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Shire of Cranbourne Bi-Centenary Parade March 1988

These photos are of the Shire of Cranbourne Bi-Centenary Parade, along High Street in Cranbourne, held March 1988. Groups from all around the Shire had a float. The Bi-Centenary was held to commemorate the 200 years of European settlement in Australia with the arrival of Governor Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet at Botany Bay in January 1788. In 1988,  Cranbourne was not quite the country town that it once was, but less populated and busy than it is today - certainly you could hardly imagine that they would shut down High Street today for a parade. Here's a look at Cranbourne's population* over the past 40 years -  in 1976 it was just over 5,000; 1986 the population was around 14,000; 1996 around 24, 000; 2006 around 37, 000 and 2016  around 67,000 - so you can see that in 1988 it was relatively small community.  I was given these photos and the person who gave them to me can't remember who took them, so if they are yours let me know -  and we can credit you as the photographer. 

This is Cr Bill Thwaites, presiding over the official part of the day

Taken outside McEwans (remember them?) at Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre which opened in 1979.

A Highland band

Another Highland Band

Cranbourne Municipal - can't read the rest of the sign - perhaps the Municipal bicycle band!

A bullock team

Melbourne  Hunt Club

Marching girls

More Marching girls

Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society float

Girl Guides

Boy Scouts

Cranbourne Rotaract Club

Pony Club

Vehicles of all types - cars

Vehicles of all types - decorated caravan

Vehicles of  all types - horse and carriage

Vehicles of all types - motor cars

Vehicles of all types - New Holland Harvesters - built right here in Cranbourne at 

the Sperry New Holland plant

Vehicles of all types - the Muffin Truck man, and again, below - just to show some of  the shop fronts.

Vehicles of all types - Fire engines

Vehicles of all types - this is labelled 'Jack Rogers' 

  

 *These figures include all of Cranbourne including what is called today Cranbourne North, Cranbourne East and Cranbourne South. The population figures (apart form the 2016 population) come from Victorian Places.

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Melbourne Hunt Club at Cranbourne by Claire Turner Sandall

This account of the history of the Melbourne Hunt Club was written and researched by the Local History Officer, Claire Sandall (nee Turner) for the Cranbourne Hands on History project, Cranbourne: a town with a history published in 2001. You can access the entire history on-line on the City of Casey website, here.

In 1996, the headquarters of the long established Melbourne Hunt Club along Cameron Street [Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road] were demolished*. The end of these charismatic buildings was the end of an era when Cranbourne and its surrounding districts were at the centre of this traditional sport. Today when you travel along Cameron Street, you will see the construction of a new housing estate called The Hunt Club Estate. This is yet another symbol of the passing of time and the rapidly changing land around Cranbourne. Its rural foundations are gradually disappearing and are being replaced by the trademarks of progress. The Hunt Club name survives and with it a fascinating history that saw the intermingling of ‘elite’ Melbourne society with a farming community.

A long-time member who had enjoyed close associations with the Hunt Club since being a teenager in the 1940s, Mr. Derry Francis remarked that: ‘to see the club house, stables and houses removed recently was a very sad loss of a great lot of memories!’

The English tradition of fox hunting on horseback was established in Australia during the 1830s and the Melbourne Hunt Club dates back to the 1840s. By the 1870s, Melbourne’s wealthy families like the Chirnsides and the Clarkes, indulged in the hunt as a prestigious leisure activity for special occasions. Kangaroo hunts, as well as traditional foxhunts, were also popular. The club needed headquarters to stable members’ horses and to breed the hounds. The hounds were pivotal to the club. A club would become well known for the pedigree of its hounds and for how well the chief huntsmen could train them. Well-trained hounds would ensure a good chase of the fox for the hunters on horseback.

Cranbourne was selected as a new site for the Hunt Club when urban development was squeezing them out of their existing site in Oakleigh during the 1920s**   Fox hunting relies on the availability of space and cooperation with neighbouring farms: land was the key to the survival of the club. Oakleigh’s farms were beginning to disappear, signalling a problem for the club. The Cranbourne site, on the corner of Thompsons and Narre Warren Cranbourne Roads was chosen by a special ‘Country Committee’ of the Melbourne Hunt Club in the late 1920s. The committee included Pakenham identity J.J. Ahern, S.A. Greaves and the owner of the ‘Mayfield’ property in Cranbourne, R.G.Hope. These men provided an important link between the Melbourne gentry society and the Cranbourne and Berwick Shire areas. As influential landowners, they could persuade the Club that Cranbourne would sustain the Club’s endeavours, providing them with plenty of space for their activities and township support.

Alec Creswick, George Missen and Rupert Richardson outside the Berwick Inn. The Melbourne Hunt Club used to gather at the Berwick Inn before setting off for the days hunting.

Photo: Berwick Nostalgia: a pictorial history of Berwick

When the club moved to Cranbourne, there had already been a long association with the Casey-Cardinia region. The first Master of the hounds was George Watson, from the I.Y.U property in Pakenham. Permission was required from landowners to hunt across their property and the committee had to work very hard to achieve and maintain this. There was eventually a network of properties that would participate in the hunt, making their land available and allowing the club to install special points in their fences where horses could safely jump. Watson became a stoic figure in the club over the years and enjoyed the benefits of his sons owning land in Narre Warren and Hallam during the 1890s. His son Godfrey Watson owned ‘The Pines’ and kennelled the hounds there during the 1897 season. The Greaves family in the Berwick and Cranbourne district also featured in the history of the Hunt Club. Again they were a useful connection because they owned large properties and allowed the hunts to operate there. Greaves family properties included ‘Fernside’ at Cranbourne and ‘Strathard’ at Narre Warren.

The Hunt Club adopted parts of Cranbourne culture as its own. The sustaining industry during the 1920s and 30s in Cranbourne was dairying and the town was an industry leader in providing the first bottled milk. The Hunt Club picked up on the local culture and the following club poem describing local sites highlights this:
The Lyndhurst, Clyde and Cranbourne chaps
There must be easy seven
And other men from Nar Nar Goon, 
We’d make up to eleven, 
The Huntsmen coves, the General said,
 Put sugar in their tea, 
And Cranbourne milk is pretty strong
 You take the tip from me…. 

The 1920s clubhouse at Cranbourne was the scene of many social engagements, especially refreshments after a hunt, and was a notoriously beautiful building. It was located near the railway line on Narre Warren Cranbourne Road, where the Hunt Club housing estate is now being developed. The buildings could not be seen from the road. They were at the end of a long and winding driveway. The clubhouse was on the left, followed by the Bregazzi house. There was an orchard, dog kennels, exercise yards and a room where all the meat was boiled up for dog food. At the end on the right hand side were the enormous stables. A car could be driven through the centre and there was a chute along which the chaff was shovelled.

A curious and compatible relationship developed between the local Cranbourne community and the patrons of hunting who travelled up from Melbourne. They shared a love of the country and of sport. Horse people and other locals from surrounding properties joined in the club activities, rubbing shoulders with prominent politicians, visiting dignitaries and wealthy business people from the city.

One of Cranbourne’s pioneering families, the Bregazzies, had a special association with the Hunt Club. Keith Bregazzi worked for the club between the early 1930s and 1975 when he retired. Keith was highly respected as ‘the backbone of the Melbourne Hunt Club’. He and his wife Phyllis lived in a cottage on the Hunt Club grounds and were well-known personalities, both locally and among the many and varied club members that came to Cranbourne to enjoy the high-quality organization that Keith quietly and efficiently maintained. He was in charge of the training and breeding of the hounds, the welfare of the horses and the overall property. Club member Derry Francis remembers: We became very friendly with Keith and I often went up to help him with the hounds and horses. On my 15th birthday, I was given a pony ‘Bidgee’ then I could go and help work the hounds pre-season, with Keith and Ted McCoy. Late teens I got a hunter and hunted with the hounds for years. In that period there were 4 different Masters – Sir Alex Creswick, Peter Ronald, Owen Moore and Jeff Spencer – great years!!

This is the Hunt Club at Cranbourne - it's part of the Casey Cardinia Library Corporation Archive collection, but I don't know the date or the source of the photo.

The Club was a very established part of Cranbourne’s identity. There are many memories held by locals who had various involvements with the club, either as members of the Hunt, workers at the hunt complex or as children. Children from nearby properties loved to play at the grounds. Pam Ridgway recalls: We spent a lot of time at the Hunt Club visiting the Bregazzi family. We used to play in the stables and around the kennels. During the hunting season the hunting party looked magnificent in their red coats and black hats. There were hurdles along farmers paddock fences so that there were safe places to jump. 

Locals would follow the hunt by road in cars, on horseback and in jinkers, making a real occasion. The Hunt Club was a prestigious part of Cranbourne for many decades. Its headquarters are now located at Pakenham.

A 1980 aerial photograph of the Melbourne Hunt Club at Cranbourne. It was located on the east side of  Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road and the north side Berwick -Cranbourne Road (Sladen Street extension). The railway line bi-sects the photo.

*I  believe that some of the buildings were removed and that two buildings are now in Modella and being used as a private house [Heather Arnold]

** They actually moved from Oakleigh to Cranbourne in 1929 (source: Hounds are Running: a history of the Melbourne Hunt by Heather Ronald (Lowden Publishing, 1970).

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Cranbourne Railway Station - electric rail service opening March 25 1995.

 Cranbourne was on the Great Southern Railway line which commenced construction in 1887 and was completed to Korumburra in 1891 and later extended to Port Albert. Passenger services beyond Dandenong ceased in June 1981 but goods services continued to operate. In 1992, the goods trains ceased and this is when the line beyond Leongatha was taken up. The passenger service was reinstated on December 9 1984 and continued to run until July 23 1993. After that every town beyond Dandenong was without  a train service, however trains returned between Dandenong and Cranbourne when the electric train line was established (there are still no trains beyond Cranbourne but that's another story) and these photographs were taken at the official opening of this electric train service to Cranbourne on March 25, 1995.

Two other stations have since been established between Dandenong and Cranbourne - Merinda Park Station opened  in conjunction with the new electrified line and Lynbrook Station opened April 2012.

Naturally at any official event there are a raft of politicians - this is Senator Gareth Evans at the podium, on the right is Robert Macellan who was then the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Pakenham. On the left is Alan Brown, Member for Gippsland West in the Legislative Assembly and Minister for Public Transport.

View of the Railway Station

Waiting for the train

A local band provided some entertainment for the occasion.

I presume this is the first train to arrive - it's nearly there!

It's getting closer!  I put this photo on our Casey Cardinia Heritage Facebook page and some-one commented that 'it was good to see that good to see that they sent down a a nice shiny train for the opening. You can still see where they washed the graffiti off it!'

 It's here!

Interestingly, the line to Pakenham was electrified from Pakenham to Warragul in 1954 and this was extended to Traralgon in 1956, due I believe to the traffic generated by the Yallourn open cut coal mines and power stations. This was  a full 40 years before Cranbourne, even though the line beyond Pakenham has now been de-electrified.

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