Ride Nation for younger cyclists

A photograph of the railway construction workers camp near Triholm at Poowong East for the Strzelecki Rail Line in 1922.

Construction of the line began in 1915 and was opened in 1922.

The line was completely closed in 1950 with the closure of the Catani and Yannathan stations.

As was the practice of the railways at the time, the name was often given to the station that was either from the property name or the owner of the property on which the station was established.

Triholm was the name given to the selection of Neils Peter Olsen taken up in 1877. The name referred to a region in his homeland of Denmark.

The descendants of Neils Peter Olsen still farm properties at Poowong East.

Photograph and information courtesy of the Warragul and District Historical Society.

The society’s museum at the Old Shire Hall in Warragul has reopened to the public. The museum features a range of historical photographs.

It is open every Thursday between 10am and 2pm and the second and fourth Sunday of each month between 2pm and 4pm.

If you have any additional information about this photograph, please contact The Gazette on 5623 5666 or editorial@warragulgazette.com.au.

A cycling program designed to increase participation and safety awareness of young cyclists has been supported by Baw Baw Shire.

While council’s financial support is subject to budget commitments, council has endorsed a proposal to host the Gippsland pilot program of Ride Nation.

A report to council said cycling in Baw Baw had been a long term priority of council.

Following a motion in 2017 to investigate cycling options in the shire, a feasibility study was undertaken.

Cycling Australia has established a long term strategic vision of increasing participation in cycling.

The vision is to facilitate the opportunity for more people to enjoy riding their bike regardless of age, circumstance, skill level and location.

Ride Nation pilot centres have been established in Ballarat and Wollongong with great success, experiencing high participation and engagement numbers.

Council was approached last year by Cycling Australia about taking on a Gippsland pilot for Ride Nation.

Ride Nation have identified Warragul as the preferred location for the pilot’s Gippsland site.

The centre will be a location where people are able to find a variety of information on events and activities, have access to a variety of riding infrastructure offering more than one discipline and be managed by a coordinator organising the activities and connecting to local community such as schools, bike stores, community groups.

The report to council said $80,000 to $90,000 was needed to run Ride Nation, most of which would come from government grants and commercial sponsors.

Council’s contribution is expected to be about $30,000, which has been included in the draft 2020-21 budget.

A part time co-ordinator and 12 casual coaches will be employed to deliver the program.

“Within Baw Baw there is a large and active cycling community. Ride Nation will enhance cycling for existing cyclists and is expected to result in an increase in participation,” the report said.

Ride Nation Gippsland will kick off with a roadshow in each local government area across Gippsland.

The purpose of the roadshow is to showcase the existing local communty programs, engaging coaches, schools, community groups and families, and provide an opportunity to sample activities.

Cr Michael Leaney said the program was primarily for primary school aged children and to give parents peace of mind.

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