Royal Children’s Hospital patients were guests of honour at a much loved Melbourne icon’s 100th birthday party today.

Yarra Trams is celebrating 100 years of continuous service by electric trams in Melbourne.  Sunday’s event was hosted by the Yarra Trams Essendon Depot which is celebrating its own centenary next week.  The first electric tram from Essendon Depot ran on 11 October 1906 and part of this system still remains today as the backbone of Yarra Trams Route 59 (which travels past the RCH).

Fifty patients and their families hopped on Yarra Trams’ ‘Centenary Art Tram’ outside the hospital and travelled across Royal Park to a party co-hosted by another local icon, Melbourne Zoo. 

“It’s a case of one Melbourne icon supporting another,” said Yarra Trams Chief Executive Officer Dennis Cliche.  “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Royal Children’s Hospital and I’m proud of the fundraising efforts of our staff for the Good Friday Appeal,” he said.

Members of the Melbourne Tramways Band were on board to provide some musical entertainment.

Once at the Zoo, party guests made their way to the Carousel to share in the 100th birthday cake.  Families were then able to spend the day as special guests of Melbourne Zoo.  They were also invited to travel by tram to the Docklands for the Yarra Trams Tram It 2006 family fun day which featured a display of historic and present day trams.

Contact Julie Webber 0407 327 418 or Cathy Heycock 0411 988 265