Council
3 September, 2024
Serviceton Railway Station's history preserved through Storytowns project
Les Millikin's Serviceton station stories to be immortalized.
The West Wimmera Shire Council is set to immortalize the rich history of the Serviceton Railway Station through a professional audio recording project, capturing the wealth of knowledge held by local historian Les Millikin.
Funded by a $1700 grant from the Public Record Office Victoria's Local History Grants Program, the initiative aims to preserve the station's storied past for future generations.
Mr Millikin, a longtime volunteer and tour guide at the heritage-listed Serviceton Railway Station, has spent decades sharing the station's fascinating history with visitors.
Known for his in-depth knowledge and personal connection to the site, Mr Millikin's narration will be professionally recorded by Storytowns director Jarrod Pickford, who recently began documenting these historical accounts during a station tour.
The Serviceton Railway Station, established in 1889, is a significant historical site that reflects the inter-colonial rail routes and the complex history of the South Australia-Victoria border.
Its imposing two-story brick structure has seen many changes, which Mr Millikin has meticulously chronicled.
His contributions as a custodian of the station's history have been invaluable, and this recording will serve as both a tribute to his dedication and a safeguard against the potential loss of this important historical information.
Mr Millikin's deep connection to the station is evident as a volunteer tour guide, maintenance man, curator, and caretaker since the 1980s.
His tours are renowned for their authenticity, enriched by his thorough knowledge of trains, stations, drivers, and cargo and his unique storytelling style.
"History is history, and if you've got it, you might as well talk about it," he said.
"We're only a young country, so we have to look after what we've got."
Council's acting chief executive, Brendan Pearce, said the Serviceton Railway Station symbolised the community's rich heritage.
"This project is an important step in preserving the stories and memories that define our past," he said.
"Les has dedicated countless hours to sharing the station's history with tourists.
"It is vital that we capture this piece of history, so that it will continue to inspire and educate visitors long into the future."
Mr Pearce said the recording could serve as a virtual tour guide at the Serviceton Railway Station or be used at local tourism information centres and railway museums.