Crossing a Flooded Creek When You Need to Get to Work

June 4, 2021
Looking across floodwaters to the south-east from Ness Street, across the creek flats and oval towards the Horticultural Hall, 1963. There was only one oval at that time and the bowling club now stands where the hall once was. (NHSP2073)
When Diamond Creek was cut in half by floodwaters in the early 1960’s, water would spread up the hill in Chute Street and those living on that side of town had no access to the railway station. So, what could you do if you needed to get to catch the train to work?

Fortunately for the residents, Mr Marriage from Ironbark Road, came to the rescue with his flat tray truck. He put wooden fruit boxes around the edge of the tray for people to sit on. Everyone climbed onto the tray and chose a box to sit on and Mr Marriage drove his truck through the water – onto the bridge approach and across to the other side, and through the water until the ground rose again just before the pub. It would have been an interesting trip, sitting up like Jacky and just above the fast flowing water.

Each passenger had the return journey to look forward to again on their way home. Mr Marriage would be waiting for them at the railway station in the evening. He did multiple trips each way morning and evening until the waters went down and it was safe for normal traffic to cross again.

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