Anear century-old relic of railway history has recently been found during a clean-up of a Millicent property.
It is the key which is understood to open the doors of the current Millicent railway station which was built in 1926.
The framed and tagged key was found over the weekend by one of the 12 volunteers who were tidying and cleaning the premises of community radio station 5THE FM.
The last scheduled goods train to Millicent ran over 30 years ago and 5THE FM has paid a peppercorn rent ever since to use the railway station for its studios and offices.
There has been a great deal of surplus and redundant items accumulated over the past three decades with the historic station key presumably stored away and forgotten.
A new management committee under the leadership of retired government executive David Walshaw was elected last November and a major working bee to tidy the premises was on the to-do list.
Although some of the items like the 1926-key have sentimental and perhaps monetary value, Mr Walshaw said over 90% of the stored items were redundant and destined for the waste transfer station.
“We are grateful for the dozen volunteers who helped with staging the working bee,” Mr Walshaw said.
“There was great enthusiasm for the working bee as we worked on the interior and exterior of the premises.
“It is a great example of the steps 5THE FM is taking on our journey to resume full transmission again and not be restricted to the livestream as at present.
“We have emptied the shipping container which had been used for storage purposes and it has been sold.
“We want to strive for a fresh slate.
“The South Australian Community Broadcasting Association has now twice looked over our application to the Australian Communications and Media Authority for a temporary broadcasting licence.
“The application has been reviewed and endorsed by our committee of management.
“It is ready to be posted out to ACMA and then we should hear what their decision is.
“It might only take a few weeks as a frequency does not need to be allocated.
“5THE FM continues to retire debt but we are in a tight financial situation.
“Donations and sponsorship are needed.”
