It’s not often someone tells you that their job was fun! But that’s exactly what Mavis Hulm said when talking about her job at the Railway Refreshment Rooms. As a twenty two year old Mavis found the challenge of feeding the many people travelling by train a great way to meet many interesting people.
Mavis began her career as one of the “RRR Girls” at the end of World War II and many of the passengers were returned defence force men coming home on troop trains. They would be served their meal on trestle tables set up outside the refreshment rooms and Mavis would work one of three shifts.
The shifts coincided with trains arriving from various towns – Griffith was the train she remembered for the afternoon shift. The buffet women on the Intercapital trains would change at Junee and it was part of Mavis’ responsibility to make sure the beds were made and ready for each shift change. At that time there were sleeping quarters at the station and Mavis stayed there as well. It was part of her duties to make sure breakfast and supper were available and to check train arrivals.
Mavis liked her Managers, Robert Lewis and Harry Weir and Mrs Fowler who did the pay sheets was in charge of the female workers. In her spare time Mavis cleaned the silver and sometimes worked in the bar. The washing up depended on which shift she worked but there was a kitchen maid, Marjorie Bush who did most of it.
Mavis recalled that her most vivid memory was the sight of the huge copper used to cook the enormous number of vegetables needed to feed the troop trains.
There was a good variety of food and the staff ate well. Meryl Ferrario was the cook and she did a good job.
Working with all women was good as they all got on and helped each other out. When a train was about to arrive the buffet girls would have phoned through and let you know what was needed. The prepared food was then put on the train. Over the years they became friends and many buffet girls married local fellows and some are still living in Junee. Work was more than just a job; it was a social meeting place as well. Mavis retired after nearly forty years working for the railways. (A memory that Mavis had was that of the Station Master sitting on his stool on the station platform waiting to change the staff. I wonder who he was? And what happened to the stool?)
Mavis did try working in other places. She recalled a time working at the egg board which sent frozen eggs in cans to overseas markets. On another occasion she worked in a clothing factory in Albury and Junee. But it was the green crossover pinafore uniform of the RRR that won the day; as Mavis said: “It was very smart”. And for someone who loved (and still loves) to dance, dressing and looking smart is important. Oh, and having the music with the right beat is an absolute must.
– Noelene Milliken as told to her by Mavis Hulm
