Welcome
to the Bus & Coach Society of Victoria web page. The Society is based in
Melbourne
and was formed by a small group of enthusiasts in 1968. Over the last 30
years the Society has grown to more than 160 members, who come from all walks of
life including bus operators, bus drivers, bus bodybuilders, mechanics, truck
drivers, public servants, police personnel, postal workers, accountants, students
and retirees, to name a few.
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The
Society aims to cater for all those who have an interest in present day buses,
in the history of road passenger transport in Australia and fosters the
restoration and preservation of buses.
In
addition, the members aim to collect and restore a representative selection of
preserved buses, to display some of the classic bus types of the bygone days. |
WC
model with a M.B.A. body which came from an operator in New South Wales,
restored by the late John Masterton, in Victoria Railways who operated
several of them similar to the one. (photo:
Benjamin Sangster) |
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Keith
Kings has recently restored this example of a Leyland OPSI with a body
built by the MMTB at the Preston Workshops in Melbourne. The Leyland
OPSI's were the backbone of the Footscray services before the arrival of
the AEC's.
(photo:
Anthony Allen) |
Membership
of the Society is open to interested persons or companies. Members receive
6 issues of "Australian Bus Panorama" magazine per year, plus a Special
Bumper issue magazine. Australian Bus Panorama contains articles on both
current and historical themes, as well as all the latest happenings
in the bus industry in general, and of changes to bus fleets etc.
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Activities
organised during the year include:
-
regular
meetings featuring film/slide presentations on bus topics;
-
guest
speakers from the industry;
-
rallies
and displays of preserved buses and coaches;
-
organised
visits to bus depots, bodybuilders, etc.;
-
bus
tours in modern and historic vehicles;
-
social
outings including our famous bus BBQs.
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Pictured
above is Ex Ventura 42, which was previously an STA Adelaide
vehicle. This Leyland Worldmaster had to be narrowed before it could
be used for service in Melbourne. This bus was purchased by Ken Peck
in the mid to late 80's.
(photo:
Benjamin Sangster) |
TIMETABLE
FOR UPCOMING EVENTS:
Don't
forget to check regularly the Society's News
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15th November
2004.
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John Usher
is to talk about the history of the Croydon Bus Service, which was founded
in 1936. |
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28th November
2004.
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The Historic Vehicle Display
at Sandown Raceway. Once again we need buses, drivers and attendants for
our display. Gates open at 8.30am. |
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Date
to be Confirmed
29th
January
2005.
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First
Social Event of the 2005 Calender. More details to come. |
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April
2005
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Bendigo
Tour. |
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CANCELLED
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Cerberus Open
day at HMAS Cerberus. Due
to events beyond the Society's control, this event unfortunately won't be
going ahead this year (2004). |
Bus
& Coach Society of Victoria social meetings are scheduled at the Ventura Bus
Lines depot, at 1037 Centre Road, Oakleigh South (follow the blue line into
the red building, then go upstairs). Visitors are asked not to treat the premises as a depot visit during their
attendance at the meeting. Meetings are scheduled for 8pm.
Other
events:
The
Passenger Transport Group of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
has invited Society members to take part in the following activities:
SPECIAL
ARTICLES:
If
you have something you would like to add to this page, please
email the web master.
ATTENTION!!
Wanted Dead or Alive. Donations of old pictures, bus parts, spare parts and workshop
manuals, old uniforms, information or stories on being involved with buses or
coaches.
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John
Philips owns this shortened AEC Regal Mk III which was built with Martin
& King bodywork. Many of these buses were shortened to make them
suitable for one man operation and were nicknamed "Bobtails" for
obvious reasons.
(photo:
Anthony Allen) |
It
doesn't matter whether you're a bus driver, mechanic, proprietor or a
passenger. Everyone has a story to tell and many people would like to hear
these memories, so put pen to paper and send to the Bus and Coach Society of
Victoria Inc. PO Box 8, Oakleigh South Victoria 3167.