Rails to races to feature in history talk

A picnic party at the races in the 1890s; many travelled by train to get to the races; and a historic races program cover

Geelong’s rich history of races and rail will be explored as part of the Geelong Museum Associations (GMA) Sunday Series talk on June 24.

Noted railway historians Mark Cauchi and Michael Guiney are guest speakers and will discuss Geelong’s very own racecourse railway which ran from 1878 until 1906 and the Lal Lal Racecourse near Ballarat which ran from 1886 until 1940.

GMA president Michael Menzies said horse racing has always been a big entertainment attraction.

“Particularly a century and more ago, when there were no cinemas, television or computer games to occupy recreational time,” he said.

“Families went to the races as much for a family picnic outing as to watch the horses race, in an era when private road transport was the privilege of a few and relatively slow, huge crowds rode by train to attend race meetings at local racecourse.”

The presentation will take place at the National Wool Museum located on the corner of Brougham and Moorabool Streets from 2pm until 4pm

Books on the topic will also be available to purchase as well as afternoon tea for a gold coin donation.

For more information phone David on 0422 307 652 or go to trybooking.com/UKUG.