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John Balfour Scott

Vale John Scott – Foundation Member of GSPS By Michael Menzies It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of John Scott, a foundation member of the Geelong Steam Preservation Society (GSPS), who died peacefully on Monday following an illness throughout this year. John’s involvement with railway preservation in Geelong began well before the formal incorporation of the GSPS. In the late 1960s he was a familiar figure at the Australian Cement Limited railway at Fyansford, where his fascination with steam locomotive operations truly took hold. From those early days, he was an enthusiastic supporter of efforts by the Geelong Sub-Division of the Australian Railway Historical Society to secure locomotives and rolling stock for preservation. Those efforts bore fruit when locomotives No. 4 and No. 6—along with rolling stock, track materials and tools—were donated to help establish the Belmont Common Railway (BCR). When the GSPS was incorporated in 1970 to carry the project forward, John was there at the beginning. He was among those who signed the original Memorandum and Articles of Association, a formative moment that laid the foundation for what would become more than five decades of heritage railway activity in Geelong and beyond. After qualifying as a mechanical engineer in the early 1970s, John travelled to the UK to gain professional experience. Even while abroad, he remained closely connected to the GSPS—sending reports home about his work and sharing observations of Britain’s fledgling railway preservation movement. His reflections provided both inspiration and practical insights for the society as it continued to grow. On his return to Australia, John resumed his volunteer work with the GSPS and went on to serve both it and its successor operations for over fifty years. His record of voluntary service is remarkable: John was a driver at both the Belmont Common Railway and the Bellarine Railway for more than 55 years—an extraordinary achievement that will be hard to match. But John’s impact was not limited to the driver’s cab. He gave generously of his time, knowledge and energy in countless ways: serving as Councillor and Traffic Manager, contributing to the development of train crew qualification standards and training programs, and offering invaluable engineering expertise whenever challenges arose. Many projects that might otherwise have stalled were advanced because of John’s steady guidance and technical insight. Earlier this year, John’s enormous contribution was formally recognised when he was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the GSPS at the Annual General Meeting—a long overdue honour for a lifetime of service. John himself regarded one of his greatest achievements as helping to secure the legal framework that enabled volunteer train crews to operate trains in Victoria. This pioneering outcome laid the groundwork for today’s Tourist and Heritage Railways to operate safely and sustainably—a legacy that continues to benefit generations of volunteers, passengers, and railway enthusiasts. It is easy for newer volunteers to overlook the many obstacles faced in those formative years—legal, technical, and financial. But without the determination and commitment of John and his peers, much of what we take for granted in heritage railway operations today simply would not exist. His efforts were central to overcoming those challenges. At John’s request, there will be no public funeral service; instead, a private family gathering will be held. On behalf of the GSPS, the Bellarine Railway, and the wider railway preservation community, we offer our heartfelt thanks to John Scott—for his friendship, leadership, vision, and extraordinary dedication. His contribution and legacy will live on in every whistle, every journey, and every smile that our railway continues to bring to the community. On Behalf of the Board and all members of our Bellarine Railway Community the Board and all members of our Bellarine Railway Community. Rest in peace, John—and thank you.