Gas works tours prove to be a hit

RARE open to public tours of the Bendigo Gas Works have proven popular with numbers exceeding the expectations of the Bendigo Branch of the National Trust.

The gas works which are one of the most intact in the world were opened for tours on April 29 and again this Saturday, 13 May.

Branch president Peter Cox said there has been an increase in interest since previous tours and the reason people wanted to check out the site varied.

“I think it has proven more popular than previously,” he said. “A lot of people have said they often walk or drive past the gas works and wanted to know what was behind the brick wall.

“Others responded that family members who had worked at the gas works had passed on and they wanted to see where their loved ones worked and what they did.

“So, for a lot of people, it was a very personal experience.”

Interest in the tours has been so strong Mr Cox said no more places were available and the Trust was still getting in contact with those who had responded.

“The branch received over 350 emails, texts and phone calls,” he said. “Most requests were for multiple tickets which took the tally well over 500 of people wanting to visit the site.

“I apologise that the branch couldn’t respond to all requests. We don’t have the infrastructure to respond to so many so quickly. I think we have responded to 99 percent of those who reached out.”

Due to the popularity of the latest tours, Mr Cox wants to hold more in the future.

“With all tours booked out we will need to discuss their demand with the council,” he said. “Hopefully we can conduct more during the year.

“We have our branch meeting Tuesday week at the library and a council representative is set to come along to discuss the gas works future.”