The Sturt St West working was a tram for St Pat’s College students going home or boarders going down the street to ‘shop’ ( more likely to chat up students from various ladies’ colleges).

I used to catch it if it was raining and I didn’t have afternoon sport or cadets. Generally, I used to ride my pushie as I would get home quicker than catching two trams. Having a heavy school bag and sometimes a sports bag made bike riding fun, but, hey, we were tough in those days.

The infidels at Ballarat College next door were not allowed to catch this tram.

I do not know how long the arrangement with SPC was in place ( I was there from 1963 to 1968) or as to why the college requested a special tram.

Fond memories of the good old days.

Noel in Perth.

From:tramsdownunder@... tramsdownunder@...> On Behalf Of Andrew Cook
Sent: Wednesday, 28 July 2021 2:26 PM
To: TramsDownUnder tramsdownunder@...>
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Re: First closure of Ballarat's tram routes.

Just over fifty years ago (gasp), Ballarat's first tram route was closed and replaced by gas guzzling buses. The Victoria Street to Gardens via Sturt Street West route finished up on Sunday, 22 August, 1971. Here are a few (un)happy snaps I took at the time, following a weekend (including a 'sickie') burning through slide film--

They are:

03004--Car 30 crosses Car 13 at King Street loop, in Victoria Street. 20 August, 1971.

03007--Car 17 crosses Car 13 (on the last short working to Sturt Street West) at Parker Street loop, in Sturt Street West. 20 August, 1971.

03100--A passenger alights at Victoria Street terminus after Car 12 arrives. 21 August, 1971.

03112--Car 13 at Victoria Street terminus on the last day. 22 August, 1971.

Enjoy,

Cheers,

Andrew Cook.