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Tempy

Origin of name: Abbreviation of "Temporary" ganger's camp.

Station opened: 4-1-1909

Distance from Melbourne (via Castlemaine): 268 miles 60 chains 12 links; 432.513 km

Distance from Melbourne (via Ballan): 439.417 km

Height above Sea Level: 256 feet

Tempy originally came into existence as a temporary construction siding. The name Tempy was derived from the word "Temporary" being abbreviated to "Tempy" when written on railway dispatches or waybills.

An advertisement in the "Mildura Cultivator" newspaper on 30- 7-1904 invited tenders for the erection of four employee's residences at 268 miles between Gama and Austral Gypsum Co. siding.

A station ground proposed to be named "Tyenna" was originally surveyed some two miles closer towards Speed however this did not suit the settlers who wanted the station at the site of the temporary ganger's camp. Mr. C. Harrison, a pioneer of the district, related the story that Mr. Boschert Senior, Mr. Dalton Senior and himself, on learning that the Commissioners train was due to pass, stopped the train by flourishing a red table cloth. When the Commissioners alighted, Chief Commissioner Tait was informed of their point of view and the merits of the case led to the eventual establishment of Tempy as a permanent station. This must have been about 1908.

Instructions were issued on 20-11-1907 for the erection of "Limit Boards" at Tempy.

Tempy was opened for traffic officially from 4-1-1909 and it was most likely that the 302 foot long platform was provided for passengers at that time with a 20 x 12 foot office, 17 x 8 foot 6 inches shed and toilet. A 15 ton private weighbridge was located in the goods yard. Caretaker working conditions were introduced from 1-7-1912 until a Stationmaster was appointed on 15-4-1918. Supervision was by Woomelang until 22-7-1912 and then Lascelles.

The Commissioners agreed in 1913 to extend the siding at Tempy and raise the wheat stacking sites.

The telegraph instrument was removed by 16-5-1922 and the location boards were removed on 1-11-1922.

An additional departmental residence was built for the use of a track ganger. Tempy was the base for two track gangs who looked after the track sections Turriff - Tempy and Tempy - Bronzewing.

The relaying of the main line with 80 pound rails had reached Tempy by mid-1926.

On 15-6-1931, the Stationmaster was removed and Tempy was placed in charge of a caretaker supervised from Lascelles.

In circa 1939 the Grain Elevators Board constructed a concrete 65,000 bushel elevator.

Tempy station ground showing four departmental residences, the station platform and buildings, and grain storages. 1970. Photo: Victorian Railways

On 31-7-1973, tenders were advertised for the sale and removal of departmental residence No.1729.

On 28-11-1977, the Down end Staff Locked points were relocated 46 metres further out.

Two additional steel grain silos were erected in 1978.

Tempy was worked under No one in Charge conditions with supervision transferred from Lascelles to Woomelang by 20-3-1979.

A new timetable for passenger services between Melbourne and Mildura from 27-9-1981 announced the closure of Tempy as a passenger station. Despite protests from the community, local government and politicians, patronage did not justify the stop enabling the service between Melbourne and Mildura to be speeded up by 35 minutes. The station was closed for passenger traffic by 5-10-1982.

Tempy station and silos. Note the station building on the platform opposite the silos. 16-8-1982. Photo: Bruce McLean

Tempy station platform was completely removed in April 1987. 26-4-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

The up end of Tempy looking in the down direction. 20-4-2002. Photo: Bruce McLean

The grain loading arrangement at Tempy. 20-4-2002. Photo: Bruce McLean