Faces in the crowd

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Story of a train doctor

Featuring Geoff Moss, who was in charge of the day-to-day running of electric trams from April 1977 through to July 1986 and now an active volunteer with the Australian Railway Heritage Society, NSW Division based in Redfern.

Railway Life and Song

Featuring Brian Dunnett, and Mark Gregory this audio documentary focuses on working life at Eveleigh, the role and influence of music, and the cultural contribution of railway songs.

Liz Weiss’s Story

Her grandfather William Frederick Barnes began at Eveleigh as a fitter in 1911 and retired as Works Manger in 1943, after 32 years of service.

Alan Read’s Story

At an Open Day, Alan and George attended a tour of the old Eveleigh Railway Workshops and were introduced to the 3801 Limited team.

Joan Lawrence’s Story

Joan’s brother, Henry Behrmann worked at Eveleigh.

Nerida’s Story

Nerida’s family has a long association with the railways - her grandfather, father and an uncle all worked for the NSW Department of Railways.

Alan Cavenagh’s Story

Alan Cavenagh recalls the Christmas Eve celebrations in his time as Works Manager at Eveleigh.

Libby Cavenagh’s Story

Libby’s husband Alan Cavenagh became Works Manager of Eveleigh in 1984.

Ian Young’s Story

Ian’s family has a long connection with the Eveleigh Workshops.

Eric Finigan & Neil Ryan’s Story

Eric Finigan and Neil Ryan attended an ATP Open Day in May 2015.

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1855

On 16 August, James Sinclair Taylor McGowen is born aboard the ship Western Bride, prior to his family’s arrival in Melbourne.
1867

J.S.T. McGowen’s family moves to NSW.
1873

J.S.T. McGowen joins the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron Shipbuilders.
1873

Between 1873 and 1874 J.S.T. McGowen is involved in the iron trades’ strike.
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1875

Between 1875 and 1891 J.S.T. McGowen works as a boilermaker, initially at Redfern Railway Workshops (Devonshire St) and later at Eveleigh.
1891

J.S.T. McGowen wins a seat in Redfern. McGowen continues to represent Redfern in NSW parliament until 1917.
1894

Following the 1894 elections, the Labor Party elects J.S.T. McGowen as the leader of the NSW parliamentary party.
1901

J.S.T. McGowen narrowly loses election for the federal seat of South Sydney.
1910

Following his electoral win, JST McGowen becomes NSW Premier.
1911

J.S.T. McGowen represents the Labor Party at the coronation of George V in London.

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An Indigenous Place

Eveleigh is Gadigal country. We acknowledge their ownership of this land and pay our respects to past, present and emerging elders.

The second half of the nineteenth century saw a rapid expansion in New South Wales railways. In Sydney, this meant both the early stations and workshop facilities quickly became too small, and had to be expanded or relocated.

40,000 BC

Pre contact – Members of Cadigal, or Gadigal, people inhabit Redfern, Erskineville and surrounds. The Gadigal Traditional Owners who today speak for the Sydney clan area stretched “from the south side of Port Jackson from South Head to Petersham”. The Gadigal people spoke the coastal Eora dialect of the Darug language and are often referred to as the Eora people. Redfern as a site was important to its people because it had a source of water – Shea's Creek, which today is Alexandra Canal, as well as a source of food from the wetlands that drained into the creek. Redfern’s high point on the terrain offered views of the trade route from Circular Quay to Parramatta, on which the colony’s first railway would be built. These trade routes connected with larger routes which linked the north and south, and east and west of Australia. Not only goods, but ideas, songs, ceremonies and news travelled along these routes.

1788

The British arrive in January with catastrophic effect on the Aboriginal way of life. The Eora people do not flee, as Captain James Cook predicted, but stand their ground. Governor Phillip attempts to create good relations, but these soon disintegrate due to the persecution of the Aboriginals by the convicts. The Aboriginals are pushed out of Sydney town with fear of being shot, and with the quick pollution of the Tank Stream by tanneries, they are forced to use water sources near Redfern.

1789

The smallpox plague devastates the Aboriginal people. Without immunity to the disease brought by the British, a large percentage of the Cadigal clan is wiped out. Following the plague, survivors from surrounding clans join together to survive, and to participate in the guerrilla movement led by Pemulwuy.

1791

James Chisholm arrives in the colony of New South Wales aged 19 as a non-commissioned officer.

1793

Settler David Collins observes Cadigal people performing a ceremony “between the town and the brickfield”.