Bill ('Mac') McAlpine - tramways employee for 39 years

Herald, 2 January 1951

The article says it all, really. William McAlpine was a Tramways man through and through.

He married in 1913 and he and his wife Agnes had two children, both born while they were living in Coburg. When he retired, the McAlpines were living in Shaftsbury Street, Coburg. 'Mac' was retired for over 20 years and no doubt he enjoyed time in his garden. He mentions in this article that he was 'thinking about' taking his wife for a holiday in their car. I wonder whether they went and if they did where they went. 

Agnes McAlpine died in 1963 and William in 1972. They were laid to rest in the 2nd Avenue Rose Garden at Fawkner Memorial Park.

A 1933 upgrade to the buses on the Coburg to Heidelberg route

Herald, 16 January 1933

This photo of the latest update to a local bus company's fleet of buses was accompanied by an article telling us that the owner of the bus line, A.L. Windram, had just bought four new buses, each capable of carrying sixteen passengers. He employed eight men and in a time of high (and rising) unemployment, he  claimed to benefit many others through his fleet of buses. 

The article went on to note that 'it is estimated that indirectly, in the handling of the 15,600 gallons of petrol, the manufacture of £280 worth of tyres, and the hundred and one other essential details needed in the successful operation of transport service, another 50 families receive their share of support from this growing industry.'

This was at the height of the 1930s Depression and if you think about it, we are facing many features of those dark times today. 

It's hard to put a positive spin on things just now, but reminders like this that the world has faced tough times before and survived are helping me. I hope they help you, too.

English cricket eleven visits Lincoln Spinning Mills, February 1925

Herald, 6 February 1925

The visiting English cricket eleven were identified as (left to right): Woolley, Toone (manager), Strudwick, Tate, Sandham, Bryan, Gilligan, Mrs Douglas, Hearne, Freeman, Chapman and Douglas. [I have assumed that Mrs Douglas is the wife of the English team captain.]

Going by the date of the newspaper article, the visit took place between the third test at the Adelaide Oval which the Aussies won by 11 runs and the fourth test held at the MCG which the English won by an innings and 29 runs. Australia won the Ashes series 4-1. (source: Wikipedia)

Lincoln Mills opened in 1920 and was a major employer in the area. Most of it is now demolished but if you've ever been to Bunnings or Officeworks in Gaffney Street, you were there on the former Mills site.

Lincoln Mills, 1922. Image courtesy Coburg Historical Society.

1947 aerial view of Lincoln Mills, Gaffney Street, Coburg. 

Courtesy Coburg Historical Society.

During demolition, June 2007. Image courtesy Coburg Historical Society. 

(Photographer Lois Williams.)