One hundred and fifty years ago, the people of Marulan gathered for a momentous event.
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The railway had finally arrived in town and pomp and ceremony were the order of the day when the first passenger trains arrived a little after 2pm on August 6, 90 minutes late.
“It was evident from the display of bunting and other indications of rejoicing that the people of that exceedingly quiet place had aroused themselves to the importance of the occasion,” the Goulburn Herald reported.
A ceremony and a luncheon, at which “many toasts to Queen Victoria were drunk,” and long speeches followed, praising those responsible for the feat.
History repeated at Marulan on Sunday, but on a slightly reduced scale.
The community and dignitaries gathered again to mark the 150th anniversary of the railway’s arrival.
“You can hear and feel the ghosts of railway men, and probably a few women, who camped here when they completed the building of the line to this very spot,” Sydney Trains CEO Howard Collins told the crowd.
“This soil, this place is about railway families, but it’s also about the youth of today.”
Mr Collins was a special guest along with Lieutenant Governor of NSW Tom Bathurst AC and wife, Robyn. Goulburn MP Pru Goward, Member for Hume Angus Taylor and Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Bob Kirk also attended the day, largely organised by the Marulan Historical Society.
Mr Bathurst and Mr Collins and passengers from down the line arrived, appropriately, by train.
Addressing the crowd, Mr Bathurst said 1868 was a tumultuous time in the colony.
“It was just before the first constitutional convention and emotions were running high but one of the most important things that happened was the opening of the railway,” he said.
“That was critical to unifying the state, enabling goods and services to be transported and enabling people from different communities to interact with each other, which led ultimately to the Federation and a long and proud history.
“The people of this area through good times and bad have made a remarkable contribution and you should all be very proud of yourselves. I congratulate you for the work you’ve done.”
He read a message from NSW Governor David Hurley who was unable to attend.
Cr Kirk couldn’t help but note that history was repeating. In 1868, then Goulburn Mayor William Davies attended the ceremony.
“Today we have an amalgamated council and here we are, the mayor has turned up again,” he quipped.
The event also drew relatives of Frank Jordan, Marulan’s longtime and well respected station master. Marulan Historical Society member and co-organiser Rosemary Turner said Mr Jordan took particular pride in the station’s garden and won competitions 13 years running.
She recalled that her own father, Ron Brewer, the Member for Goulburn from 1965 to 1974, caught the train from Marulan to go to Parliament in Sydney. The train also stopped especially at the town to let him off on his return.
“The opening of the railway was hugely significant,” she said.
“It opened up trade for the whole Goulburn area. It was all drays before that and it meant people could get produce to market.”
Marulan remained the railway terminus for 18 months before it reached Goulburn. The city will mark its 150th rail anniversary in 2019.
Mrs Turner said she was thrilled with the day.
It included stalls in Tony Onions Park, historical displays, children’s activities, engine displays and more.
Mr Bathurst unveiled a commemorative plaque which was placed on a granite rock donated by Boral quarry.
The RSL Commemorative Youth Choir performed and three trees were planted, marking the regeneration of the railway garden.