Don’t destroy our history: Newton

BOB Newton’s passion for local history and lifelong connection to Korumburra and the Great Southern Railway are prompting his concern at the recent removal of railway infrastructure in the town.

The long-term councillor and former mayor of South Gippsland Shire shared his fears with the Sentinel-Times after seeing the removal of some railway levers and points used to adjust the direction of the tracks.

Bob’s link to the local railway is personal, given his father Thornton Newton joined the railways in 1922 and worked into the 1940s driving steam trains on the Great Southern Railway.

Although concerned by the infrastructure already removed, Bob is more anxious about what other railway history may be lost.

“We’ve got a beautiful old turntable here and I’m worried they’re going to take that away,” he said.

He explained that the turntable was originally in service in Foster. Bob also wants a signal tower on the old branch line from Korumburra to Outtrim and Jumbunna retained.

He has written books on the area’s history and is close to completing one on the Great Southern Railway, and said the branch line once serviced coal mines including several in Outtrim.

He also wants to see Korumburra’s remaining railway track, the town’s Victorian Railways Institute Hall and the nearby goods shed retained.

Bob would love Korumburra’s grand old railway station revitalised, perhaps as a restaurant.

South Gippsland Shire Council was contacted for comment, but in fairness, was not given ample time to respond before the Sentinel-Times’ deadline.