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Victorian Railways - Refreshment Services Branch
Image: Refreshment room staff, Bendigo Railway Station, circa 1929.
Source: Museum Victoria
The Refreshment Services Branch was established in 1920, and initially focused on providing station-based refreshment rooms and the dining car service. Its scope expanded to include diverse activities such as stall rental; sales of advertising space on railways infrastructure; laundry services; operation of a hair-dressing salon, a bakery, a butchery and a poultry farm; and the management of the chalet guesthouse at Mt Buffalo.
The majority of staff worked in refreshment rooms and dining cars, both of which were a popular feature of the railway service. Previous to 1920 refreshment services had been provided by contractors, but after many complaints the Department decided to provide a standardised service across the system. It grew quickly: five years after it was established the Branch employed approximately 500 staff. Station refreshment facilities ranged from elaborate dining rooms to decorated push-carts. They were staffed predominately by women, who provided everything from a cup of tea to a three course meal.
Most refreshment room services were closed in the 1970s.
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Leaflet - Victorian Railways Commissioners, 'Melbourne Garden City of a Garden State', Jul ...
Tourist leaflet 'Melbourne Garden City of a Garden State' issued by the Victorian Railways Commissioners, and printed by the Victorian Railways Printers, July 1933.
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Brochure - 'The Grampians & District', Victoria, 1955
Tourist brochure 'The Grampians & District' issued by the Victorian Railways Public Relations & Betterment Board in 1955. Victorian Railways played an important role in promoting Victor ...
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Brochure- 'Yarram For the Perfect Bush Holiday', 1941
Tourist brochure with map 'Yarram For the Perfect Bush Holiday', issued by the Victorian Railways and the Yarram & District Tourist & Progress League in January 1941.
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Timetable - Victorian Railways Suburban Lines Services, 1921
Passenger train timetable produced by Victorian Railways and the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau in 30 May 1921. The booklet provides arrival and departure times as well as other in ...
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Booklet - 'The Murray Valley', Victorian Railways, 1955
Tourist booklet 'The Murray Valley' issued by the Victorian Railways Public Relations & Betterment Board in 1955.
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Map - Melbourne & Suburbs, Victorian Railways Commissioners, 1954
Map of Melbourne and suburbs, issued by the Victorian Railways Commissioners in 1954. It was used by Geoffrey and Hazel Tirchett when they migrated to Australia in 1954 as `10 Pound Tou ...
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Brochure - Mildura, Victoria, 1955
Tourist brochure titled 'Mildura, Victoria, Australia 1887-1955, History in the Making'. Issued by the Victorian Railways in conjunction with the Mildura City Council in 1955.
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Booklet - Victorian Railways, Rates of Livestock to & from Newmarket, Newmarket Saleyards, ...
Foolscap and stapled paper copy indicating Victorian Railway transport rates per 4 wheeled van for livestock to and from Newmarket Saleyards, effective 11th September, 1978. Issued by t ...
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Pass - Loco Branch, Victorian Railways, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900
Australia Pass - Victorian Railways Loco Branch c. 1900 (AD) Mint: not recorded
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Medal - Victorian Railways Carriage Works, W. Williams, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900
Australia Victoria Williams, W. Other Details: Victorian Railways Carriage Works copper medal, inscribed with the name W. Williams. It was probably used as an employee pass. Previous Co ...
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