VPRS 13419 Publicity Records, Refreshment Services/Trading and Catering Services Branch

This series is a collection of photographs, newspaper clippings, advertising material, maps and plans (of Mount Buffalo Chalet) created by the Refreshment Services Branch (1920 to 1974) and Trading and Catering Services Branch (1974 to 1986).The Branch was responsible for all Victorian Railways catering. The Branch was under the control of a Manager who was responsible for food, fruit, drinks, tobacco and bookstall services conducted by the Department.The sale of commercial advertising space on railway premises, and the management of a guest house in the Mount Buffalo National Park, together with staff, hostels, hairdressing saloon, flower stall, bakery, laundry and poultry farm were among the other activities of the Branch. On the expiry of the lease in 1924, the Chalet was transferred to the Victorian Railways. In 1985, the management of the Mt. Buffalo Chalet was transferred to the Victorian Tourism Commission.In addition to the Refreshment Rooms at country stations, the Branch also operated Dining or Buffet Cars on the main line trains as well as on the Interstate trains.This series documents the activities of the Branch for the period 1920 to 1985.P1, P2 and P3 ConsignmentsThe above consignments consist of photographs, newspaper clippings, advertising material, maps and plans of Mount Buffalo Chalet.P4 Consignment: Index to refreshment rooms and platform licences, station name order.The index cards recorded summary information about refreshment room and platform operating licences.Refreshment room licences recorded the date taken over; the name of the sub-manager; the number of sitting rooms; the number of bedrooms; whether the bedrooms were portable; the size of the bedrooms for staff; the no. of beds in each room for staff; and remarks.Platform operating licences pertained to permission to sell fruit, ice cream, confectionary, tea, light refreshments, etc on station platforms. Included was the commodity the lessee could sell; the lessee's name; date of tenancy; rental; deposit; correspondence no. (see VPRS 421 Inward Correspondence); and remarks.Index cards were arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the station.