GET YOUR TICKET FOR THIS UNIQUE RIDE.....
The Immigration Museum latest exhibition ‘Trammies’ explores the
characters and culture of Melbourne’s most endearing form of transport
- trams.
This unique exhibition celebrates Melbourne’s most famous icon. Trammies
discovers why Melbourne is the only Australian city to retain their trams and
investigates the role of women and immigrants in the tramways, the Melbourne
to Calcutta tram link, rural tramways and the phenomenon of the tram enthusiasts
called Gunzels.
Trammies tells the story of Melbourne’s rich and colourful tramway history from its early days to the present and features include rare images capturing historic moments on the tramway and conductor uniforms spanning a century.
Dr J Patrick Greene, Chief Executive Officer, Museum Victoria said, “The Immigration Museum is delighted to present Trammies, a salute to one of Melbourne’s best loved and most famous icons. This exhibition provides a fascinating insight into this unique aspect of Melbourne’s history and culture.”
“Melbourne is very fortunate to have a tram network. Throughout the world cities that destroyed they’re tram systems are now being force to reinvent them.”
For decades immigrants found work on the trams making it one of Melbourne’s most culturally diverse workforces, Trammies celebrates the generations of migrants who found work and inter-depot friendship in the ‘trammie family’.
Trammies also documents the arrival, although short lived, of women to the ‘trammie family’ during the second world war, as well as the pioneering arrival of Melbourne’s first female tram driver, Joyce Barry, in 1975.
The ‘trammie family’ is also home to many Gunzels, a popular local term used to describe a person who is a proud and passionate tram enthusiast. Trammies introduces visitors to Gunzels who have studied international tram route and take their holidays in ‘tram cities’.
Get your ticket for this unique ride into Melbourne’s history.
The Trammies exhibition is on display at Immigration Museum from 20 February
until 11 May 2003 and is free with museum entry.
The Immigration Museum is located at 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne and is open
from 10am to 5pm daily. Adults $7:00, Concession $5:50 & Children $3:50.
For further media information, interviews and images contact:
Sarah Noisette, Public Relations Officer,
Phone: (03) 9927 2737 or email snoisette@museum.vic.gov.au
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