A month of milestones for mining portfolio

This October, Swan Transit celebrates two years of service in Kalgoorlie (Goldfields), while also celebrating and congratulating Glenda Wood on 43 years of service from the now Kalgoorlie depot.

Swan Transit Managing Director, Brian Thompson, said Glenda’s significant service milestone was an inspiration to the industry.

“With Glenda’s experience in the operation, we can truly say we know it is our people who make our service reliable, safe and convenient.

“Glenda’s achievements are an exceptional example of industry excellence, starting in the 1980’s and working through maintenance roles to workshop supervisor, as well as driving.

“She’s a credit to the industry and we’re proud of her ongoing commitment and dedication. We are honoured to share our 2-years of operation with her incredible achievement,” he said.

To mark two years of service in Kalgoorlie under contract to Transperth Regional, Swan Transit is sharing the history of the site, which is located 600 kilometres inland from Perth.

In the 1890’s, significant gold discoveries were made in the area, notably Kalgoorlie-Boulder “Golden-Mile”.

In 1899, English company Kalgoorlie Electric Tramway Limited was granted a concession to build a tramway in Kalgoorlie and it shared common ownership with Perth Electric Tramways Limited. Construction commenced in February 1902, with the first section between Kalgoorlie and Boulder opening on 20 May 1902.

In 1936, after tram routes started to close, due to cost of operation, two Leyland petrol buses were purchased to replace trams on the Kamballie-Fimiston and Boulder Racecourse lines. The Kalgoorlie Electric Tramways company was taken over in 1947 by the Eastern Goldfields Transport Board before trams ceased operation in 1952.

“The Eastern Goldfields bus system has been a reliable part of the community for many decades and it is a legacy we are proud to continue. The public transport industry has employed many people over its years of service in the Eastern Goldfields, and we’re proud to continue its operation, efficiently and safely,” Brian said.

“With team members like Glenda onboard, we know the Eastern Goldfields community will be well served,” he said.