An exploration of the historical railways that shaped Warburton’s history was shortlisted for the 2024 Victorian Premier’s History Award.
Nick Anchen’s 2023 book Whistles Through the Tall Timber tells the story of the Warburton, Powelltown and Noojee railways and the fascinating memoirs of railwaymen and timber workers who worked on them.
The Victorian Premier’s History Award offers the top prize out of the 11 categories a part of the 2024 Victorian Community Historian Awards, with the winner taking away $5000.
His book is a culmination of 15 years of research and around 150 interviews, which saw him network his way among the old-timers of Warburton, gathering stories and artefacts for his book.
Mr Anchen grew fascinated with the social history of railways from a young age, where a family friend who used to run the Warburton train line told him stories of the past.
The book’s title comes from the sound of steam train whistles and steam winches in the bush used to haul timber onto tramways to be taken to a saw mill.
Read more here: upperyarra.mailcommunity.com.au/news/2025-03-07/a-book-examining-the-historical-railways-of-the-yarra-ranges-shortlisted-for-history-award/
