Billy backed by bricks

By Casey Neill
HOLMESGLEN students made their mark on Puffing Billy last Thursday in a bid to preserve history and learn their trade.
The second-year bricklaying students and their teachers voluntarily repaired turntable brickwork on the Puffing Billy train track in Emerald.
Puffing Billy spokeswoman Nadine Hutchins said the turntable was originally at Newport Railway Workshops before it was acquired by the Dandenongs icon in 1989.
“Our first locomotive was turned on in September 1991,” she said.
“However, the brickwork on the turntable was not completed until now due to a lack of funds and manpower.”
Ms Hutchins said Puffing Billy asked its bank of volunteers for help.
Way and works manager Jason Bell approached Holmesglen TAFE with the hope of creating a working relationship for future works around the railway.
“Heritage brickwork which complemented the existing bricks was received as a donation,” she said.
“Our sincere thanks to Holmesglen TAFE for their support and we hope to be able to work with them again.”
Holmesglen teacher Duncan Todd said it was a great opportunity for students to get out of the classroom and work on something unique.