October 8th

08/10/1861

R.H. Lock writes letter to editor of the Ballarat Star calling for a Ballarat to Smythesdale tramway.

December 31st

07/12/1865

Discussion of survey for tramway for Ballarat after Smythesdale proposal comes to nothing.

October 16th

04/10/1884

Discussion of Mr. Cuthbert’s Tramway Bill in Victorian Parliament.

May 3rd

03/05/1886

Ballarat City Council receives three tenders for operating Ballarat tramways.

July 31st

07/07/1886

Bill to allow councils to “empower persons to construct tramways” introduced in Victorian parliament.

March 5th

05/03/1887

Ballaarat Tramway Company prospectus details released.

April 5th

05/04/1887

The first General meeting of Ballarat Tramway Company Limited held at Scott’s Hotel, articles of association were adopted.

May 17th

05/05/1887

Council accepts tender of Mr. Thomson, of Adelaide, to construct and work horse tramways.

July 24th

12/07/1887

Beginnings of the Ballaarat Tramway Company: “An Adelaide syndicate will pay the corporation [council] £1375 a year for the…right to the lines for 30 years.”

August 13th

01/08/1887

Ballarat horse tramway plans approved by Railway department, handed to Lands department.

August 6th

06/08/1887

“Rails ordered for Ballaarat Tramway Company will arrive in the colony a month earlier than was expected.”

September 3rd

03/09/1887

Duncan and Fraser show Ballarat horse tramcar No.1 at Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition.

September 20th

08/09/1887

Ballarat city council agrees to horse tram routes.

November 6th

06/11/1887

Contractor’s wife Mrs. Moore broke the first ground commencing track laying.

December 9th

09/12/1887

Report of a delay in completing the laying the gardens section of track due to sleepers not having arrived.

April 3rd

03/04/1888

“Thousands…proceeded to the lake and gardens in the [horse tram] cars.”

April 12th

12/04/1888

Newspapers report that the Skipton and Drummond St. horse tram line ready to open.

June 12th

12/06/1888

Horse tram drivers and conductors of Ballaarat Tramway Company strike for shorter hours.

July 27th

03/07/1888

Newspapers announce Adelaide syndicate Thompson & Co. successful tender for Ballarat horse tramways.

August 3rd

03/08/1888

Council complains to Ballaarat Tramway Company about road condition and unpaid rent.

October 12th

12/10/1888

Julien battery electric tram car was tested on the Drummond Street line by Ballaarat Tramway Company manager R.T.Moore.

December 13th

01/12/1888

Track laying completed Ballarat to Lake Wendouree, first trial trip taken.

December 20th

08/12/1888

Gardens line horse tram opened by R. T. Moore.

December 21st

09/12/1888

Banquet hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Moore to celebrate the opening of Gardens line held at Botanic Gardens.

December 22nd

10/12/1888

Visiting English cricketers ride the new horse tramway.

December 23rd

11/12/1888

Reader of The Herald seeking the address of BTC manager.

February 17th

05/02/1889

“The labourers in the employ of the tramway contractors are making substantial progress with the Sebastopol line.”

February 20th

08/02/1889

Ballarat pioneer James Oddie attends a demonstration of electric powered trams recently trialed in Wolverhampton, UK.

April 19th

07/04/1889

James Oddie’s report on trial of battery electric trams at Woolverhampton, UK.

December 24th

12/12/1889

W. T. Stevens writes letter to editor estimating 100 people on one horse tram in Sturt St.

January 27th

03/01/1890

A horse-tram topples over near Loreto Convent after a cow frightended the horses.

January 12th

12/01/1890

High winds derail horse tram at Macarthur St railway level crossing gates.

April 29th

05/04/1890

Horse tram commenced on the Drummond St Sth line.

October 21st

09/10/1890

Report that Ballaarat Tramway Company asks to renegotiate their deal with Ballarat City Council.

December 29th

05/12/1890

500 members of Lydiard St. Wesleyan Sunday School visit Gardens on horse trams.

July 3rd

03/07/1891

Ballaarat Tramway Company meet with Sebastopol council to discussion extension of tram line from Redan to end of Sebastopol.

August 23rd

11/08/1891

Two men stopped a tram and attempted to take the fare-box; flee at “the sight of a burly tramway employee.”

September 27th

03/09/1891

Ballaarat Tramway Company announces financial loss at extraordinary meeting of shareholders.

October 29th

05/10/1891

Council grant permission to Ballaarat Tramway Company to change the Sturt St. line.

December 7th

07/12/1891

Ballaarat Tramway Comapny builds “lay off” in Gardens.

January 13th

01/01/1892

Horse tram driver James Nicholls found guilty and fined for cruelty by overloading on 26 December 1890.

January 14th

02/01/1892

Report on overloading case against horse tram driver James Nicholls.

March 27th

03/03/1892

Ballarat Tramway Co. sixth half-yearly meeting at Craig’s Hotel; only small profit.

May 20th

08/05/1892

Ballarat Brewery heir, 30-year-old Charles Leggo dies after jumping from horse tram and falling under its wheels.

August 14th

02/08/1892

Plebiscite of ratepayers regarding Sebastopol tram line: 202 For/181 Against.

September 29th

05/09/1892

Financial position of the Ballaarat Tramway Company shows no signs of improvement; James Cowan’s death lamented.

December 25th

01/12/1892

100 people crammed aboard horse tram, driver fined for overloading.

December 19th

07/12/1892

Ballaarat Tramway Company and Sebastopol council agree to extend tram line to Royal Mail hotel.

October 10th

10/10/1894

Sarah Ann Howe, wife of watchman of Ballarat tram sheds, not guilty due to insanity of murder of her child.

March 30th

06/03/1895

The opening of the horse tramway along Albert Street to Sebastopol.

June 20th

08/06/1895

Ballaarat Tramway Company try to save money by staff cuts and timetable changes for winter.

November 13th

01/11/1895

Letter to editor describes cruelty to horses and overloading by horse tram driver on Camp St. hill.

December 11th

11/12/1895

The Argus reported on Victorian parliament debates over the nature of tramways and railways, for public interest or profits.

January 10th

10/01/1898

Ballarat council meeting responds to Ballaarat Tramway Company request to ease their financial restrictions.

April 6th

06/04/1900

10-year-old Roy Coventry tried to jump onto step of horse tram, fell under it, and died in hospital.

June 27th

03/06/1900

Report of death of 28-year-old James Brady, run down a few days earlier by a horse tram.

November 20th

08/11/1901

Report on inquest into a boy, Denis Buckley, who died of injuries from horse tram accident 16 November 1900.

November 15th

03/11/1902

Near the tramway terminus at the bottom of Sturt Street, the flood water was nearly knee-deep.

February 2nd

02/02/1903

Suggestion made that Gardens route be only for horse trams.

November 4th

04/11/1904

Mayor of the City turns the first sod of the new electric tramway at corner Sturt and Ripon Sts.

October 9th

09/10/1905

Introduction of summer cars on Gardens line; concern at high speed of 15 to 20 miles per hour downhill.

January 6th

06/01/1906

“The trams give a bright aspect to the town” says a letter about Ballarat to the editor of the Adelaide Advertiser.

February 9th

09/02/1906

“The second car then crashed into the ‘trailer’ and telescoped” in Wendouree Pde., two passengers injured.

March 20th

08/03/1906

“The steamer Wyrallah arrived in Geelong with a shipment of poles for the Ballarat Tramway Company.”

May 9th

09/05/1906

Power and brakes failing, tram slides down Sturt St. hill toward another tram, passengers jump, no damage done.

May 10th

10/05/1906

Grocer Mr. A. Smith falls from tram in Grenville St.

August 17th

05/08/1906

Opening of electric tram service to Wendouree depot .

August 5th

05/08/1906

Heavy snow causes telephone wires to rest on tramway overhead wires.

August 18th

06/08/1906

Electric Supply Company trial run of electric trams reported in the newspapers.

September 2nd

02/09/1906

Tram brings down overhead in Bridge St. causing interruption.

November 1st

01/11/1906

Inquest into the death of Mrs. Rebecca Taylor who fell from a tram and suffered head injuries.

November 16th

04/11/1906

Benefit for Mr. Power who suffered “severe accident” working as a platelayer for Ballaarat Tramway Company.

November 17th

05/11/1906

13-year-old Louisa Walsh concussed and injured after falling from tram.

January 16th

04/01/1907

“The horse took fright at the approach of an electric tram and kicked in the front portion of the buggy” in Sturt St.

January 5th

05/01/1907

Work starts electrifying the tram line in Drummond St. Sth.

February 13th

01/02/1907

A man writes to the editor of Ballarat Star, concerned over the risk of high speed electric trams.

February 22nd

10/02/1907

Baker’s cart driven by Mr. Bant collides with tram driven by Duncan Sutherland in Barkly St.

June 21st

09/06/1907

Italian cyclist Mr. D’Albara’s bicycle skidded under the wheels of tram, narrowly escaped death.

July 16th

04/07/1907

Ada Rachinger awarded £550 in damages from Ballaarat Tramway Company for injuries received in March 1906 Lake Wendouree collision.

July 30th

06/07/1907

First trial of electric trams in Ballarat.

August 31st

07/08/1907

Wine merchant John Deutche tries to board moving tram in Lydiard St., hits his head on a power pole, concussed.

September 16th

04/09/1907

Electric tram collides with a cow in Sturt St West.

September 10th

10/09/1907

48-year-old James Heck dies when his motorcycle collides with a tram at corner of Drummond and Eyres Sts.

September 12th

12/09/1907

Police magistrate William Leader of Maryborough dies from injuries sustained when struck by a tram.

October 14th

02/10/1907

Meeting to acknowlege tramway manager Peter Hodgetts retirement to start own business.

January 29th

05/01/1908

Partially deaf and blind man William Poulton seriously injured by tram crossing Dawson and Sturt St. intersection.

January 18th

06/01/1908

Electric Supply Company asked to water the roadway of Mount Pleasant line to reduce dust.

March 2nd

02/03/1908

Young conductors strike for better pay; Manager Deakin threatens strikers with sack.

April 10th

10/04/1908

Little girl Mary Talmage knocked down by tram cnr. Lydiard & Sturt Sts., motorman’s prompt braking saves her life.

May 22nd

10/05/1908

Mount Pleasant electric tramcar jumps the rails at the intersection of Main and Bridge Streets.

June 4th

04/06/1908

Sebastopol council complains to Electric Supply Company that extension work of electric line Rubicon St. to Royal Mail hotel had not started.

July 19th

07/07/1908

Mrs. Elizabeth Lee successfully sues Electric Supply Comapny after being injured stepping off moving tram.

September 18th

06/09/1908

Inquest into the death of motorcyclist James Heck, who ran into tram driven by Andrew Steinfort.

October 31st

07/10/1908

54-year-old Mrs. Rebecca Taylor falls from tram and receives fatal head injuries.

October 22nd

10/10/1908

10-year-old Stanley Chester falls from tram at corner of Sturt and Durham Sts., concussed.

March 31st

07/03/1909

John Roach was knocked down by a tram a week before and died from head injuries.

April 4th

04/04/1909

12-year-old Emily Barker falls from tram in Barkly St., and suffers serious head injuries.

May 16th

04/05/1909

Council tells Electric Supply Company they “must underground the [power] cables in crossing Creswick Road from Johnson Street.”

June 9th

09/06/1909

Mr Johnson Bates “fell off, and his coat was caught by the trailer, which dragged him along the road” causuing his death.

August 9th

09/08/1909

The Geelong Advertiser reports the “Tramway Company Evading Rent”.

September 25th

01/09/1909

Tramway electricity wire falls during a speech at Earl of Zetland hotel; crowd of 2000 panic and Cr. Penhalluriack trampled.

September 22nd

10/09/1909

80-year-old deaf widow Jane McDonald injures head after being knocked down by tram corner of Sturt and Windermere Sts.

November 7th

07/11/1909

Horse gig driven by Mr. Kerr collides with tram in Lydiard St.

November 8th

08/11/1909

Motormen and conductors photo of “new uniform of dark blue serge trimmed with thin red-braid and white topped caps.”

January 15th

03/01/1910

Ex-conductors Storey, Ferguson, Walsh, and Halliwell guilty of assaulting conductor Phillips on Christmas Eve 1908.

February 28th

04/02/1910

40 conductors strike for better pay.

February 29th

05/02/1910

40 conductors are on strike so “Vacancies on cars are being temporarily filled by emergency motor men and employees of the powerhouse.”

April 30th

06/04/1910

Open air meeting of 2000 people supporting conductor’s strike blocks Sturt St.

June 13th

01/06/1910

Inquest into Johnson Bates who died after falling getting off moving tram at corner Drummond and Latrobe Sts.

October 3rd

03/10/1910

Motorman Edmond O’Day brakes quickly to save conductor who slipped changing points at Lydiard and Sturt St.

April 11th

11/04/1911

Motorman loses teeth after collision between tram and cab in Sturt St., front of tram damaged.

October 25th

01/10/1911

Inquest into the death of nightwatchman Andrew Angus during the fire at the Sebastopol horse tram sheds.

October 4th

04/10/1911

Ripon St. Electric Supply Company power station generator explodes; four workers not injured; tram services ceased for hours.

October 23rd

11/10/1911

Horse gig collides with tram in Sturt St. on Camp hill.

January 7th

07/01/1912

Cyclist John Cochran hits motor car and falls on track but prompt braking by motorman saves his life.

February 14th

02/02/1912

New Eelectric Supply Company manager, P. J. Pringle, grants pay rise to conductors.

February 27th

03/02/1912

Two tram collide at the Gardens Loop, one person injured; motormen Stooke and O’Donnell had remarkable escapes; both trams badly damaged.

July 13th

01/07/1912

Letter to Electic Supply Company about the delay with the Sebastopol line: “The time agreed upon for the laying down of the electric lines had expired.”

December 18th

06/12/1912

Conductor Duncan McGregor convicted for stealing 12 pence, dismissed from job.

February 6th

06/02/1913

Eight year-old Dudley Connell knocked down by a tram in Sturt St.; brake applied, with the tram stopped inches from him.

March 1st

01/03/1913

Horse and cart driven by drunk miner James Ah Loo collides with an electric tram in Barkly St. The motorman quickly brakes, but the horse is killed.

March 3rd

03/03/1913

Cart driver Albert Foo (James Ah Loo) fined for being “drunk while in charge of a horse and vehicle.”

June 14th

02/06/1913

Melbourne cyclist Matthew Folwell collided with a tram in Ballarat; unconscious; multiple injuries.

August 1st

01/08/1913

On 18 July 1913, Motorman Corby to defendant: “Look here, you have not paid your fare.”

December 2nd

02/12/1913

Former conductor Charles Brown sues Electric Supply Company for malicious prosecution, judge finds no case to answer.

January 30th

06/01/1914

Young boy, Lionel Humphries playing in Skipton St., knocked down by tram, suffering a serious concussion.

March 14th

02/03/1914

Bolting horse and cart runs into tram office in Sturt St. during St. Patrick’s Day parade.

March 9th

09/03/1914

“I simply rode to the Gardens direct, and yet was muleted [swindled, cheated, robbed] in a double fare.” – to editor.

April 1st

01/04/1914

April 1st schoolboy pranks causes the conductor to be sacked and charged with embezzlement.

April 14th

02/04/1914

Official opening of the Sebastopol electric tram service.

April 8th

08/04/1914

Passenger complains of double fare: “I simply rode to the Gardens direct, and yet was muleted [swindled, cheated, robbed] in a double fare.” – to editor.

May 11th

11/05/1914

Meeting of shop owners regarding the state of the gardens near Sturt St. tram terminus.

June 3rd

03/06/1914

Mr. G. F. Cole, of the Electric Supply Company declines engineers job at Brunswick and Coburg Tramways Trust.

June 5th

05/06/1914

Conductor Peter Hodgetts not guilty of embezzlement after April 1st schoolboy pranks.

July 9th

09/07/1914

Daylesford MLA Donald McLeod, later Electric Supply Company chairman, calls for tramways to be controlled by the State.

July 10th

10/07/1914

Only some cars have glass screens in “rain and sleet and continual cold, biting wind.”

August 2nd

02/08/1914

Ballarat motorman Bowd’s house suffered “dastardly act of incendiarism.”

September 17th

05/09/1914

Cyclist Miss May (Alice) Drummond skids into tram; motorman’s prompt braking saves her life.

November 26th

02/11/1914

Justice Higgins presides over wages and overtime case between tramway boards and union.

November 3rd

03/11/1914

57-year-old John Phillips falls from tram, is concussed & hospitalised.

December 10th

10/12/1914

Car driven by George Leveck avoids horse and cart and hits back of tram driven by Michael Glenn.

January 1st

01/01/1915

Conductor Leslie Smith fell from a tram at Wendouree and was seriously concussed.

February 24th

12/02/1915

Conductor James Hunter falls from tram and badly sprains his ankle.

April 24th

12/04/1915

Man found guilty of fare evasion on Drummond St. line on 15 April 1914.

May 18th

06/05/1915

Eight year-old boy named Cooper knocked down by tram chasing a ball; driver applied brakes in time to save his life.

December 17th

05/12/1915

Court calls Motorman Peter Corby as a witness to speeding on 9 September 1914.

March 11th

11/03/1916

Private W. J. Emerson dies after being knocked down by a tram car in Ballarat East on 8 March 1916.

July 20th

08/07/1916

Manager Mr. Pringle attributes “one man on car” system to large WW1 enlistments.

October 30th

06/10/1916

Motorman Harry Ferguson is farewelled from Electric Supply Company with a gold medal as he leaves for Malvern Electric Tramway Service.

July 7th

07/07/1917

Former conductor Lance Corporal Peter Hodgetts dies from wounds during WW1.

September 21st

09/09/1917

79-year-old James Thompson injured by Sebastopol line tram, later dies.

January 2nd

02/01/1918

Tram crashed into car driven by Ballarat baker W. E. Longhurst; tram derailed into a water channel; no injuries.

February 26th

02/02/1918

Farmers’ horse buggy capsizes after crashing into tram at corner Lydiard and Sturt Sts.

May 13th

01/05/1918

21-year-old motorcyclist George White dies after colliding with tram in Victoria St.

June 6th

06/06/1918

Electric Supply Company awarded damages against car driver Mr. Longhurst for 2 January 1918 crash into tram driven by Mr. Carton.

July 14th

02/07/1918

Tram, with disabled front driving gear, driven from the rear with passengers along Sturt St. and to the depot.

September 13th

01/09/1918

College girl Winnie Lee Sing’s bicycle swerves across tram tracks in Sturt St. and is injured.

September 8th

08/09/1918

Former Ballarat motorman Hector Widgery’s funeral after he died of a fractured skull at Hawthorn depot.

October 17th

05/10/1918

Elderly man Richard Hearn knocked down by a tram in Sturt St., dies on 20 October 1917 from head injuries.

December 6th

06/12/1918

20 decorated trams in YMCA war fund procession.

September 1st

01/09/1919

Motorman Corby rescuses a couple being robbed, ” taking the brass controller off the tram, said, ‘Let us get to them.’”

June 22nd

10/06/1920

Motorman Peter Corby rescues mystery lady from Lake Wendouree.

November 27th

03/11/1920

20 decorated trams planned for YMCA war fund procession on 6 December 1918.

June 15th

03/06/1921

Motorman William Myles saw Catherie Synnott get off tram and walk toward lake jetty, near where her body was found.

May 5th

05/05/1922

Mr Pringle (Manager, Electric Supply Company) reaches short term agreement with motormen regarding reinstatement of conductors.

May 6th

06/05/1922

“By direction of the mayor, the city joy bells rang a peal to mark the cessation of the strike.”

May 12th

12/05/1922

Tramway employees consider further strike action over one man system.

December 15th

03/12/1922

“[Motorman] Corby had to put on the magnetic brake full to avoid a collision” with milk cart.

April 18th

06/04/1923

Tram dispute over “one-man trams”; motormen demand reinstatement of conductors.

May 2nd

02/05/1923

Robert Gillett’s milk cart collides with tram in Bridge St., screen smashed front of tram damaged.

May 15th

03/05/1923

Council discusses two-way traffic in Sturt St. and trams.

May 19th

07/05/1923

Motorman Corby: “summer traffic was the heaviest he had experienced, and the work had become intolerable.”

June 18th

06/06/1923

Car driven by James Hall crashes into tram driven by Mr. Mason at corner of Lydiard and Brougham Sts.

December 30th

06/12/1923

Motorman Peter Corby a witness in the case of negligent driving against a milk cart driver on 15 December 1921.

June 26th

02/06/1924

Electric Supply Company’s Arbitation Court victory over union: Justice Powers rules he cannot prohibit one-man cars in Ballarat.

August 16th

04/08/1924

74-year-old Edward Delahunty staggered and fell in front of tram, dies of head injuries.

August 11th

11/08/1924

Dray bogged at Lydiard St railway crossing after avoiding tram.

November 12th

12/11/1924

Electric Supply Company Ballarat defeat ESCo Bendigo in cricket match at Eastern Oval; S. Barker takes 7 wickets for one run.

February 10th

10/02/1925

33-year-old motorman James Doyle, suffering PTSD from war service, commits suicide.

April 17th

05/04/1925

Man fined by city court over tram fare refusal and “use of insulting words”.

May 23rd

11/05/1925

Ballarat Mayor R. J. Cooke’s car collides with tram driven by Roy Mason at corner Drummond and Dana Sts.

June 29th

05/06/1925

59-year-old John Downes struck by a tram in Redan and died the next day – 30 June 1923.

May 26th

02/05/1926

Superintendent Byers informs Council that trams are running the wrong side of Sturt St.

December 4th

04/12/1926

Electric Supply Company complains that buses are only running at peak hours, not “slack periods of the day.”

March 24th

12/03/1927

ESCo linesman Henry Weston’s nine-year-old daughter Bernice dies after running under tram playing “chase”.

June 11th

11/06/1927

Meeting of Ballarat and Bendigo councils to consider Electric Supply Company proposal for another 30 years charter to control trams.

July 5th

05/07/1927

Van driven by Thomas Curnow collides with tram driven by Charles Miller corner of Sturt and Armstrong Sts.

January 4th

04/01/1928

Motorman Alexander Van Berkel’s hand burnt almost to the bone when he grabbed the iron handrail which had become electrified.

May 31st

07/05/1928

22-year-old Margaret Burnett attempts to leave Sebastopol tram, falls, and receives head injuries.

August 7th

07/08/1928

Former Ballaarat Tramway Company manager Peter Hodgetts dies at home, aged 65.

June 17th

05/06/1930

“The trams and tracks are a disgrace to any city.” Councillor Pryor, City of Ballarat.

December 16th

04/12/1933

“The dangerous condition of some sections of track has been stressed frequently and many warnings have been issued.”

April 27th

03/04/1934

Motorman Charles Foster rescues small child from front of moving tram.

December 28th

04/12/1934

59-year-old cyclist John Dunstan dies after turning in front of and being hit by a tram on 21 December 1932.

March 19th

07/03/1935

SEC writes to Council to propose reconstruction of tram tracks.

March 8th

08/03/1935

Four people injured as tram collided with truck corner of Drummond and Dana Sts.; motorman James Hastie fractures arm.

March 22nd

10/03/1935

Motorman Albert Jolly’s son William and his friend John Burt drown in a dam.

May 1st

01/05/1935

Truck driver guilty after collision causes derailment.

November 19th

07/11/1935

Track reconstruction commences in Sturt St.

February 5th

05/02/1936

Wendouree Parade head on collision between tram and ‘scrubber’ car leads to death of Elizabeth Clarke.

February 7th

07/02/1936

Nurse Miss Elizabeth Clarke crushed in a head-on tram collision on 5 February 1936 dies.

June 30th

06/06/1936

State Electricity Commission takes over Ballarat tramway operations.

January 9th

09/01/1937

During the Great Depression, weekly workman’s concession tram ticketswere introduced.

February 19th

07/02/1937

Government ministers discuss the retention of the outer end of the Sebastopol tramway.

August 12th

12/08/1937

Forest City signalling system installed in Wendouree Parade after 1936 head on collision.

December 27th

03/12/1937

Victoria St. track reconditioning nears completion; route renamed Victoria St. from Orphanage.

February 3rd

03/02/1938

75-year-old Emmeline Hodgetts, widow of horse tramway manager Peter Hodgetts dies.

June 25th

01/06/1938

Minister Mr. Hogan wrote: “the reconstruction of the Sebastopol tram track should be speeded up.”

July 6th

06/07/1938

Ballarat tram users “agitating for a shelter at the new terminus”, at corner Sturt and Lydiard Sts.

November 5th

05/11/1938

Mayor Cr. King to meet with SEC manager about the dangers of Lydiard and Sturt Sts. corner of tramway.

December 3rd

03/12/1938

Announcement of red stop lights fastened on Melbourne night trams.

February 4th

04/02/1939

48-year-old Jack Outen injured while getting off tram in Victoria St., fingers amputated.

March 4th

04/03/1939

A “special illuminated tram prepared by SEC, tended by eight costumed hostesses.”

August 27th

03/08/1939

Opening of Lydiard St North trackwork extensions.

October 28th

04/10/1939

Motorman Robert Haines’ 50 years of service celebrated.

April 28th

04/04/1940

Marie Samon writes letter to children’s page describing decorated tram.

May 24th

12/05/1940

29-year-old Stanley Cowan’s dies after his motorcycle collides with Mount Pleasant tram.

November 30th

06/11/1941

“If I had my time again, I would still like to be a tramway man.” Robert Haines after 52 years service.

December 1st

01/12/1941

Truck driven by Charles Anderson Clark hits tram driven by Thomas Young, derails it, and it smashes into tree.

June 1st

01/06/1942

First three conductresses commence work during Second World War.

May 29th

05/05/1944

70-year-old Robert John Wright hit by tram in Bridge St., dies next day, driver exhonerated by coroner.

November 25th

01/11/1945

Georgina Baxter fined for damaging motorman Robert Morrow’s roses.

January 24th

12/01/1946

After a huge Mallee dust storm, trams had to have their lights on during the day.

January 22nd

10/01/1948

Tram 34 arrives in Ballarat on a Yellow Express truck, after it was sold to the SEC from the MMTB.

May 25th

01/05/1948

Shortage of coal supplies cause electricity restrictions and reduced tram operations.

September 11th

11/09/1948

Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramway Board Tram 41 stored at Brunswick depot of MMTB, for transport to Ballarat as No.38

March 7th

07/03/1949

“Ballarat was suited to both buses and trams.” Premier Thomas Hollway

October 2nd

02/10/1949

Newpaper reports the impact of No. 17’s collision “catapulted the [proprietor’s] baby on to the heap of doughnuts which cushioned his fall.”

January 3rd

03/01/1950

Sturt St West trams cater for crowd of 25,000 at Victoria Park for Victorian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

July 28th

04/07/1950

“Trams were…road hogs and a menace to other vehicles.” T. G. Paterson Australian Road Safety Council

July 2nd

02/07/1951

Higher tram fares announced for new financial year.

January 11th

11/01/1953

Six-year-old Allan Garrett injured after fall from tram in Skipton St.

January 8th

08/01/1954

Six year-old Shirley Hendy “ran from behind a tram in Sturt Street…struck by a car”; received head injuries.

March 6th

06/03/1954

A special tram service provided for public for the visit of Queen Elizabeth ll.

May 8th

08/05/1954

Unattended tram No. 24 crashes into Buck’s Head hotel office.

October 18th

06/10/1954

35-year-old Allan Barrett of Geelong fractured ribs when he fell from a tram in Sturt St.

April 13th

01/04/1955

Tramwaymen strike to support trainee motorman sacked for looking after his wife in hospital.

June 19th

07/06/1956

Reopening of Mount Pleasant line after Barkly St. bridge works.

February 21st

09/02/1957

The Argus nicknames Ballarat trams the ‘Leaping Lenas’.

August 28th

04/08/1957

Keith Kings photographs Tram 38 in Sturt St. during Australian Electric Traction Association’s Golden Jubilee tour of Ballarat.

November 22nd

10/11/1957

1956 Olympic Games rowing and kayaking events 23 November to 1 December requires special tram services.

February 8th

08/02/1960

Bent trolley hole straightened on Tram 28 at the SEC Tram Depot

February 11th

11/02/1960

Broken glass in cabin door replaced in Tram 41 at the SEC Tram Depot.

February 12th

12/02/1960

Trolley pole straightened on Tram 17 at the SEC Tram Depot.

March 10th

10/03/1960

Fitting side panels on Tram 31 at the SEC Tram Depot.

April 7th

07/04/1960

Fitting angle iron to corner pillars of Tram 28 at the SEC Tram Depot.

April 9th

09/04/1960

Lead short circuit on Tram 19 at the SEC Tram Depot.

May 4th

04/05/1960

Recovering roof of Tram 40 with canvas at the SEC Tram Depot.

May 7th

07/05/1960

At 12.10pm brought in for motor repair on Tram 33.

June 2nd

02/06/1960

At 10.46am, tram 17 brought to depot with accident damage.

June 7th

07/06/1960

Recovering roof of Tram 25 with canvas, at the SEC Tram Depot.

June 8th

08/06/1960

Repairs to damage of Tram 12 at the SEC Tram Depot.

June 10th

10/06/1960

Rewheeling, machining wheels, of Tram 14 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 1st

01/07/1960

Trolley base fitted to Tram 18 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 4th

04/07/1960

Repairs to floor covering on Tram 31 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 8th

08/07/1960

Replaced broken brake suspension bar on Tram 26 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 11th

11/07/1960

Hot axle box bearing replaced on Tram 19 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 12th

12/07/1960

Repairs to body and preparing interior for painting of Tram 39 at the SEC Tram Depot.

August 4th

04/08/1960

Replaced pony wheels on Tram 34 at the SEC Tram Depot.

August 8th

08/08/1960

Dismantling damaged front of Tram 27 at the SEC Tram Depot.

August 10th

10/08/1960

Broken motor suspension spring replaced on Tram 17 at the SEC Tram Depot.

September 5th

05/09/1960

Replaced motor at number 1 end of Tram 34 at the SEC Tram Depot.

September 6th

06/09/1960

Tram 42 into depot at 2.46pm with accident damage.

September 7th

07/09/1960

Rewheeling of Tram 30 at the SEC Tram Depot.

September 9th

09/09/1960

Repairs to damaged body of Tram 26 by painter at the SEC Tram Depot.

October 11th

11/10/1960

Body of Tram 1 lowered onto bogies at the SEC Tram Depot.

November 2nd

02/11/1960

Rewheeling of Tram 11 at the SEC Tram Depot.

November 9th

09/11/1960

Body of Tram 36 dismantled at the SEC Tram Depot.

November 10th

10/11/1960

Tram 26 brought in to depot at 4.00pm with accident damage.

November 11th

11/11/1960

Replaced armature of number 1 end of Tram 11 at the SEC Tram Depot.

December 5th

05/12/1960

F. Paterson commenced at the tram depot.

December 8th

08/12/1960

Alteration to body and undercoating interior of Tram 37 at the SEC Tram Depot.

December 12th

12/12/1960

Rewheeling of No. 20 at the SEC Tram Depot.

January 19th

07/01/1961

Tram 13 had its trolley pole straightened at the SEC Tram Depot

January 20th

08/01/1961

Tram 25 had its bogies overhauled at the SEC Tram Depot

January 21st

09/01/1961

Tram 33 was in the workshop having accident damagte repaired.

January 23rd

11/01/1961

Lights repaired on Tram 28 at the SEC Tram Depot.

February 15th

03/02/1961

Bogies overhauled on Tram 35 at the SEC Tram Depot.

February 16th

04/02/1961

Repairs to damaged tram body of Tram 33 at the SEC Tram Depot.

February 18th

06/02/1961

Interior fittings replaced on Tram 21 at the SEC Tram Depot.

February 23rd

11/02/1961

Air pipes fitted on Tram 21 at the SEC Tram Depot.

March 15th

03/03/1961

Repairs to platform floor of Tram 34 at the SEC Tram Depot.

March 16th

04/03/1961

Painting of the roof of Tram 35 at the SEC Tram Depot.

March 17th

05/03/1961

Fitting side panels to saloon and repairs to saloon seat of Tram 17 at the SEC Tram Depot.

March 18th

06/03/1961

Accident damage at 2.30pm to Tram 27.

March 21st

09/03/1961

Stripping ready to lift body of Tram 43 at the SEC Tram Depot.

March 23rd

11/03/1961

Overhauling of bogies of Tram 43 at the SEC Tram Depot.

April 15th

03/04/1961

Messrs. Duke, Wheeler, Romeo, Edwards, Wiseman and Myers on duty at depot.

April 16th

04/04/1961

Bent pole at 8.40 am of Tram 28.

April 20th

08/04/1961

Motorman’s valves replaced on Tram 13 at the SEC Tram Depot.

April 21st

09/04/1961

Window glass replaced on Tram 39 at the SEC Tram Depot.

April 22nd

10/04/1961

Line breaker repair on Tram 42 at the SEC Tram Depot.

May 14th

02/05/1961

Tram 14 brought in for repair at 6.46pm with circuit out.

May 21st

09/05/1961

Tram 19 brought in for repair with pole leaving wire.

June 16th

04/06/1961

New motorman recruit V. Harris has his examination.

June 23rd

11/06/1961

Fitting reconditioned brake gear for Tram 34 at the SEC Tram Depot.

June 24th

12/06/1961

Making frames for saloon seats for Tram 25 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 15th

03/07/1961

Tram 42 derailed at the corner of Main Rd. and Barkly St. at 2.10pm.

July 18th

06/07/1961

Truss rods adjusted on Tram 33 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 21st

09/07/1961

Overhaul of line brakes of Tram 41 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 22nd

10/07/1961

Replaced brake shoe holder on Tram 40 at the SEC Tram Depot.

August 15th

03/08/1961

Repairs to damaged tram body of Tram 27 at the SEC Tram Depot.

August 20th

08/08/1961

Tram 26 damaged in an accident.

August 24th

12/08/1961

Body lifted, replacing wheels on Tram 41 at the SEC Tram Depot.

September 14th

02/09/1961

Tram 27 mileage recorded as 174,774 miles.

September 15th

03/09/1961

Plumber replaced two sheet iron on workshop roof.

September 23rd

11/09/1961

Replaced one set of wheels and replaced armature of Tram 32 at the SEC Tram Depot.

October 13th

01/10/1961

Mr. Stickland does his motorman examination.

October 15th

03/10/1961

Tram 32 in to depot with broken pole and damaged lifeguard.

October 19th

07/10/1961

Painting zebra stripes on Tram 43 at the SEC Tram Depot.

October 20th

08/10/1961

Painting roof of Tram 37 at the SEC Tram Depot.

October 24th

12/10/1961

Replaced armature of Tram 18 at the SEC Tram Depot.

November 14th

02/11/1961

Dismantling damage on Tram 26 at the SEC Tram Depot.

November 21st

09/11/1961

Rewheeling of Tram 31 completed and tested; Castrol advertisement replaced with new sign at the SEC Tram Depot.

November 23rd

11/11/1961

Fitting one apron advertising sign for The Age on Tram 17 at the SEC Tram Depot.

December 14th

02/12/1961

Fitted side bearing wear plate of Tram 36 at the SEC Tram Depot.

January 25th

01/01/1962

Repairs to driving wheel of Tram 39 at the SEC Tram Depot.

January 26th

02/01/1962

Tram 38 derailed at the corner of Sturt and Lydiard Sts.

January 28th

04/01/1962

Track truck driven by a Wise Man. (Driver D. Wiseman).

February 25th

01/02/1962

The tram body of Tram 19 is lifted from its truck at the SEC Tram Depot

March 25th

01/03/1962

Repairs to damaged coach of Tram 27 at the SEC Tram Depot.

March 28th

04/03/1962

Overhauling bogies on Tram 43 at the SEC Tram Depot.

March 29th

05/03/1962

Trams 31 and 33 have the side panels replaced at the SEC Tram Depot.

April 25th

01/04/1962

Messrs. Duke, A. Edwards, J. Edwards, Romeo, Wiseman and Dunn on duty at depot.

April 26th

02/04/1962

Compressor leads repairs on Tram 13 at the SEC Tram Depot.

May 27th

03/05/1962

Reset lifeguard of Tram 43 at the SEC Tram Depot.

June 28th

04/06/1962

Replaced field and interpole coils on Tram 17 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 25th

01/07/1962

Fitting new weather blinds on Tram 18 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 26th

02/07/1962

Wiring test lighting on Tram 21 at the SEC Tram Depot.

July 29th

05/07/1962

Rewheeling of Tram 29 at the SEC Tram Depot.

August 25th

01/08/1962

Repairs to damaged body of Tram 26 at the SEC Tram Depot.

August 26th

02/08/1962

Rewheeling of Tram 41 continues at the SEC Tram Depot.

August 29th

05/08/1962

Replaced compressor on Tram 18 at the SEC Tram Depot.

September 26th

02/09/1962

Rebuilding front of Tram 28 at the SEC Tram Depot.

September 28th

04/09/1962

Straightened bent pole on Tram 30at the SEC Tram Depot.

October 26th

02/10/1962

Refitted trolley bases and painted roof of Tram 39 at the SEC Tram Depot.

October 27th

03/10/1962

Replaced armature number 2 end of Tram 14 at the SEC Tram Depot.

November 28th

04/11/1962

Replaced short trolley pole on Tram 43 at the SEC Tram Depot.

November 29th

05/11/1962

Replaced laminated springs on Tram 12 at the SEC Tram Depot.

September 4th

04/09/1971

Closure of Mount Pleasant and Gardens via Start St West line.

November 24th

12/11/1971

State Parliament approves SEC abandonment motion to close the Ballarat tramway.

August 19th

07/08/1972

Heavy hailstorm on last evening peak service.

August 21st

09/08/1972

Closure of Victoria St and Gardens via Sturt St West line.

August 22nd

10/08/1972

Tram 31 the last tram on Victoria St. line.

September 19th

07/09/1972

The last day of the Ballarat Tramway with Tram 40 making the final trip from Sebastopol to the SEC Tram Depot

September 24th

12/09/1972

Tram 34 donated by SEC to Australian Electric Traction Museum, St.Kilda, 27 km north of Adelaide.

May 30th

06/05/1973

Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society formed at Ballarat Lower Civic Hall.

July 23rd

11/07/1973

The delivery of the the Ballarat Tramway Presevation Society’s six trams completed: “Last tram entered our depot.”

September 30th

06/09/1973

Tram 18 travels to Sebastopol for the last time, being towed by a tractor for display in Victory Park.

February 1st

01/02/1975

Official Opening of the Ballarat Vintage Tramway now called the Ballarat Tramway Museum.

August 30th

06/08/1975

Gary Davey photographs Tram 18 on road trip. Gary is now a volunteer motorman for the Ballarat Tramway Museum.

December 26th

02/12/1976

Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society commences service in Wendouree Parade.

January 31st

07/01/1983

Tram 28 destination blind’s box fell out of its nook. All destination boxes now checked regularly.

March 13th

01/03/1997

Eight tramway enthusiasts from Sweden visit the museum.

January 17th

05/01/2013

Work party at Bungaree on tram storage shed.

October 1st

01/10/2019

Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford announces $200,000 grant for track renewal.

April 23rd

11/04/2022

Proposal to transfer Tram 34 from Australian Electric Traction Museum to Ballarat Tramway Museum.

July 17th

05/07/2022

Australian Election Traction Museum (Adelaide) approves transfer of Tram 34 to Ballarat Tramway Museum.

October 5th

05/10/2023

Museum awarded Bill Kingsley Award for Achievement at COTMA conference in Auckland, New Zealand 4-9 October 2023.

October 6th

06/10/2023

BTM vulunteer Virginia Fenelon receives Volunteer Excellence Award at COTMA conference in Auckland, New Zealand 4-9 October 2023.

October 7th

07/10/2023

BTM volunteer Pamela Waugh receives Volunteer Excellence Award at COTMA conference in Auckland, New Zealand 4-9 October 2023.

March 12th

12/03/2024

Total of 2687 passengers travel on the trams over Labor Day weekend.

November 18th

06/11/2024

Ballarat Tramway Museum volunteer Arthur Adams organised an event celebrating 100 years of W Class trams.

March 26th

02/03/2025

Geelong Tram 2 operating on 67th anniversary of the closure of Geelong’s tramways.

May 28th

04/05/2025

The Ballarat Tramway Museum is part of Ballarat Heritage Festival.

Aprl 2nd

03/07/2026

Motorman Peter Corby attacked by the Farley brothers :” I took the [point] bar to defend myself…I hit at him, and his boxer hat fell off.”