Council gives $5000 to steam train festival

Saturday’s Spirit of Warragul festival has received $5000 funding from Baw Baw Shire.

Warragul Rotary Club was successful in its request to receive sponsorship funding from council.

The Spirit of Warragul festival, to be held on Saturday, coincides with the maiden voyage of the steam engine A2 986 to Warragul following a 30 year restoration project.

The festival will support a number of free community activities celebrating the history of Warragul.

Rotary’s Peter Dell told council the steam engine was returning to Warragul as per conditions of a contract signed with Steam Rail Victoria in 1985.

He said the contract stated the steam engine’s first trip following its restoration would be back to Warragul so it could be formally presented to the Warragul Rotary Club and Warragul citizens.

Mr Dell said the contract also allows the Rotary Club to have use of the steam engine one day a year.

Mr Dell said the steam engine would travel to Warragul from Melbourne where passengers could spend the day.

“We want to keep the people in Warragul and have a fun filled day with their families,” he said.

Locals will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for a return trip aboard the steam engine from Warragul to Traralgon.

The application was assessed under council’s community funding assistance program and recommended for approval.

Cr Mikaela Power said benefits of the festival would flow onto businesses in the town.

“I think this is a great proposal and commend all the work that has been put into it,” she said.

Cr Peter Kostos said the benefits of having the train in Warragul would be great for the whole community.

Cr Danny Goss said he had watched the restoration project for some time and commended Rotary for requesting the first trip be made to Warragul.

“This is a very special event that will bring the community together,” he said.