Human side of trams in Melbourne
Paul Nicholson
Thursday, October 11, 2001 7:46 PM
Good to see some discussion of the human (ie
non-engineering) side of trams. It should be
encouraged. Most of what is published and discussed
about trams is about the engineering and other aspects
are often ignored.
It was great to read the recollections of Peter Bruce.
Let's hear more of them.
I would also like to hear some of the recollections of
Greg King (aka Trolley Greg). Stories of life and
incidents on the trams that can now be told! I last
saw him driving trams on the Glenelg.
My time on the trams was at Camberwell from 1974 to
1976. It was the end of the "traditional era" with the
old dark blue uniforms and a ticket issued for every
journey.
But it was a time of change.
And one of the biggest changes was the introduction of
women tram drivers. The first driver, as I recall, was
a person at North Fitzroy known as "The General".
There didn't seem to be a problem at Camberwell with
first female driver.
But one of the most interesting recollections of my
time on the trams was the sexist attitudes of the men
at Essendon who resisted the introduction of female
tram drivers because "they bred and multiplied and
took jobs from our sons".
I wonder if the union officials at Essendon who
maintained this attitude are still alive? It would be
interesting to talk to them now.
Such attitudes today would not be tolerated in the
workplace and of course would be illegal.
But the men at Essendon feared women. They maintained
their rage and it took quite some time for them to
allow the introduction of female drivers.
Memories...
Paul in Melbourne
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non-engineering) side of trams. It should be
encouraged. Most of what is published and discussed
about trams is about the engineering and other aspects
are often ignored.
It was great to read the recollections of Peter Bruce.
Let's hear more of them.
I would also like to hear some of the recollections of
Greg King (aka Trolley Greg). Stories of life and
incidents on the trams that can now be told! I last
saw him driving trams on the Glenelg.
My time on the trams was at Camberwell from 1974 to
1976. It was the end of the "traditional era" with the
old dark blue uniforms and a ticket issued for every
journey.
But it was a time of change.
And one of the biggest changes was the introduction of
women tram drivers. The first driver, as I recall, was
a person at North Fitzroy known as "The General".
There didn't seem to be a problem at Camberwell with
first female driver.
But one of the most interesting recollections of my
time on the trams was the sexist attitudes of the men
at Essendon who resisted the introduction of female
tram drivers because "they bred and multiplied and
took jobs from our sons".
I wonder if the union officials at Essendon who
maintained this attitude are still alive? It would be
interesting to talk to them now.
Such attitudes today would not be tolerated in the
workplace and of course would be illegal.
But the men at Essendon feared women. They maintained
their rage and it took quite some time for them to
allow the introduction of female drivers.
Memories...
Paul in Melbourne
____________________________________________________________
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Get your free @yahoo.co.uk address at http://mail.yahoo.co.uk
or your free @yahoo.ie address at http://mail.yahoo.ie
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