Trust, tram milestone

THE Bendigo Trust last Saturday became the longest operator of Bendigo trams, surpassing the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, which operated the trams for almost 38 years as a public transport service. In 1972, due to strong public support, the decision was made to trial the trams as a tourist service and the Bendigo Trust was called in to oversee this process. The Trust started operating Bendigo Tramways on October 16, 1972, and its achievement was celebrated on Friday at the Bendigo Tram Depot where guests went on a tour of the depot as it undergoes a $3.1 million transformation aimed at securing the future of Bendigo Tramways for many years to come.Bendigo Trust sales and marketing manager Evonne Oxenham said the work would not only improve the the tramways as a tourist service, but would also create employment and help to preserve Bendigo’s heritage. The Bendigo Trust is a not-for-profit public company established in 1970 to conserve and operate the Central Deborah Gold Mine on behalf of the then City of Bendigo. The Trust also operates Bendigo’s Chinese Joss House, Discovery Science and Technology Centre, and is the caretaker of Victoria Hill.jacksons@bendigoadvertiser.com.au