Issue 208 / 21 February 2022
Crews complete upgrade works at the Pyramid Hill siding
Rail works ramp up in northern Victoria
A works blitz is underway on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines. maintenance machines.
More than $10 million of major
upgrading the tracks at Kangaroo
infrastructure maintenance and
Flat Station,” he said.
project works are being completed
“General track and structure
construction at the new Raywood
maintenance will also take place,
a combination of track and station
Station site will include earthworks,
along with the installation of new
improvements and construction works
platform foundations and footings
fire hydrants at Bendigo Station and
on the new Raywood Station as part
being laid. Track works will also be
rail milling between Macedon and
of the Bendigo Echuca Line Upgrade
completed, including ballasting and
Bendigo to improve the rail surface.
re-sleepering a 340-metre section to
until the end of February, featuring
(BELU).
As part of the BELU project,
“These works are all part of our annual
accommodate the new 180 metre-long
Occupation Coordinator Kesu Tu said
program of major improvements,
platform.
more than 150 workers would be on
which are vital for the ongoing upkeep
the network throughout the blitz.
To ensure these important works can
of the line.”
take place, coaches will replace all
“Our crews will be working to replace
Crews will also complete important
Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca trains
more than 11,000 sleepers between
upgrade works at Pyramid Hill by
for the entire journey until Sunday 27
Castlemaine and Bendigo, and
reopening a track siding to store
February.
In this issue • Gippsland culverts • IT’s new operating model • Supporting Chillout • Next generation of rail planners • #BreakTheBias • Cadet says farewell • Blood bank SOS
V/News / Issue 208
V/Line IT implements a new operating model A new IT support contract will bring a range of specialist services in-house.
Culverts near the Morwell River undergo a major upgrade
New culverts strengthen tracks in Gippsland
The Gippsland Line Upgrade is improving 24 culverts along the Morwell River to help manage the flow of water beneath the track. V/Line Project Manager Sitha Lim said the works were necessary as prolonged exposure to the elements had corroded the steel structures. “The culverts adjoin the rail bridge which crosses the Morwell River on the up side of the Morwell township,” Sitha said. “The purpose of a culvert is to allow water to flow beneath the rail line in the event of substantial water flow after heavy rainfall,” Sitha said. “As part of the upgrade, the project involved relining the culverts using shotcrete as well as incorporating construction scour protection including apron slab and rock beaching. “Further works included embankment protection and installation of passive
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fall protection in the form of handrails on top of the culvert.” The project started in December 2021 and up to 60 workers have been on site during the height of construction. Click here to watch a video from 2014 showing the replacement of the Morwell River rail bridge. The culverts can be seen on either side of the bridge. Formed by the confluence of the west branch and east branch of the river, the Morwell River rises in the Strzelecki Ranges, below Boolarra South. The river flows generally in a northerly direction, joined by two minor tributaries before reaching its mouth to form with the Latrobe River, south of Yallourn North.
V/Line has transitioned to a new IT Support Services Contract, which now brings deskside, infrastructure and database support in-house, while the responsibilities for IT Service Desk, Network Support and IT Security remain with existing supplier Kinetic IT. Chief Information Officer Unal Altay said the new IT operating model meant V/Line needed to create and fulfil more technical, cloud and database engineering roles. “The transition period for this new model covered November and December last year, in which time we needed to uplift our capability and improve our knowledge,” Unal said. “Given the previous operating environment had been managed by Kinetic IT for nearly a decade, there was and still is a challenging learning curve for all of us. “Most importantly, this new operating model has delivered a significant saving while mitigating risk, improving system resilience and providing more agile IT capabilities.” The first part of the strategy has focused on the uplift in people capability via internal promotion, coaching, training and hiring Continued next page
V/News / Issue 208
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external candidates where necessary. “Simultaneously we are realigning the organisation to be closer and better able to support longer-term thinking,” Unal said. “This will allow us a better understanding of the technology stack and how we can leverage it to enable V/Line to meet current and emerging needs. “I’ve talked a lot about a ‘product mindset’ in which we deliver digital products to V/Line and these products have a lifecycle. “The product methodology will allow the business and Information and Technology teams to help design scalable solutions, which not only meet today’s needs but continue to do so well into the future.”
New station artwork for Longwarry and Bunyip Gippsland artists have been invited to submit expressions of interest into the designs of Bunyip and Longwarry train stations, as part of the Gippsland Line Upgrade. Designs that are original, vibrant, contemporary and reflect the character of the local area are being sought as part of the Regional Rail Revival Creative Strategy.
The Regional Rail Revival Creative Strategy is an opportunity to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of Victoria’s regional creative industries.
Further opportunities to integrate creative artwork into the designs for upgrades to Morwell and Traralgon stations are also being explored, in collaboration with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.
The strategy supports working with regional artists and cultural organisations, engaging local communities and celebrating the creative culture of Victoria’s First Nations Peoples.
Unal said he wanted to thank all the staff involved in the transition. “Many staff, too many to name, have worked tirelessly with key V/Line subject matter experts and other support partners to ensure the entire transition has had no negative impact to the operations. “Thank you all for a phenomenal effort and an excellent result.” In the next edition of V/News, Unal will outline the team being mobilised to implement new payroll systems.
A much-loved companion
The Travellers Aid team at Seymour Station has bid a fond farewell to four legged mascot and friend Astro, who passed away recently. Astro had become well known in the north-east community over recent years, often coming to the station with his companion Margie who is the Travellers Aid Seymour Coordinator.
He brought joy to passengers, volunteers who worked with him and V/Line staff who encouraged his presence at the station. He will be missed!
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V/News / Issue 208
Supporting Chillout
V/Line staff are invited to be involved in this year’s Chillout Festival which is being held in Daylesford from 10-14 March. Staff can show their support by marching in the street parade and/ or attending the V/Line stall, both of which will be held on Sunday 13 March. All staff who volunteer will
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receive a V/Line PRIDE T-shirt for participating in the event. As part of our support for the festival and to help promote taking V/Line services to the event, a photo shoot was organised at Southern Cross
Station with cabaret performer Dolly Diamond, featured in front of our Pride train. Please register your interest in being involved in the parade and/or stall.
V/News / Issue 208
Fostering the next generation of rail planners Richard Guy and Han Nguyen are the two latest Rail Systems Modelling interns to be recruited by V/Line’s Strategic Operations team, having joined the organisation in late November for a 12-week placement. Richard, who previously owned a pub in Tasmania, and former geologist Han, are both Bachelor of Engineering (Sustainable Systems) honours students with RMIT. The students have been exposed to complex timetable and planning scenarios and gained invaluable hands-on experience. This has included helping to design the future Gippsland Line Upgrade timetable, which will enable a 40-minute interpeak service to Traralgon from 2023. They have also reviewed concept regional timetables for Melbourne Airport Rail, assisted with refining analytical tools and improved the process for validating coach connections using industry-standard computer software. Han said the exposure to real-world scenarios made the internship rewarding. “The internship allowed us to explore a new industry, as rail systems modelling is not often talked about at university,” she said. “We were able to work on real projects and have a genuine impact on the regional rail and coach network.” Richard said the internship had better helped shape the students’ understanding of sustainable transport systems. “We’re excited to see what can be done in the transport industry, using new technology and innovation,” he said.
Kenneth, Han and Richard
“The ability to accurately project future travel demands, and model accordingly for the growing population, is one of our greatest challenges, and this internship has helped to give a better understanding of what can be achieved.”
systems modelling, and there was a need to foster industry growth by attracting new people.”
The 12-week internship is the brainchild of V/Line’s Master Service Plan Officer Kenneth Ng, who is an RMIT alumni.
“These initiatives have hopefully planted the seed of rail planning and rail systems modelling in young aspiring minds,” he said.
“Rail systems modelling has only recently been widely adopted in the rail planning industry at government and private sector level but it is an essential tool in building more robust future timetables,” he said.
The RMIT rail systems modelling internship is made possible through the Department of Transport’s Integrated Modelling Group, which brings together rail systems modellers from V/Line, Metro Trains Melbourne, Rail Projects Victoria and Department of Transport to build future network configurations.
“I had identified through my own experience there are few people who understand what we do in rail
Kenneth has established guest lectures at RMIT through the Engineering faculty and tutors a Capstone Research topic for students.
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V/News / Issue 208
Become a Mental Health Champion
V/Line is looking for staff who are passionate about mental health and want to help make a difference. Statistics show one in five people will experience a mental health problem in any given year and as a Mental Health Champion, you can help make a difference to workplace culture and the lives of your colleagues. V/Line will provide the resources, training and support to any employee
who becomes a Mental Health Champion through our peer support program. If you are interested in learning more and applying, please go to the On Track to Health site on the Engine Room.Applications close on 18 March 2022.
Become a
CHAMPION Are you passionate about mental health?
As a Mental Health Champion, you rkplace can make a real dif ference to wo gues. culture and the lives of your collea ng and V/Line will provide resources, traini s to support to any employee who wishe in our become a Mental Health Champion peer support program. TH WHAT DOES THE MENTAL HEAL CHAMPION DO? yees • Act as a point of contact for emplodealing who require support or assistance selves with mental health concerns for them and others recovery • Harness lived experience and to support others and foster hope
ear • Provide an empathetic listening help need may who gues collea ify • Ident l help • Facilitate pathways to professiona e workplace • Promote a positive and constructiv
APPLY TODAY: Application forms are available on the On Track to Health site on the Engine Room.
Doxa cadet bids farewell
Belinda Vu is the latest Doxa cadet to find employment after completing an internship with V/Line as part of her cadetship. Belinda started working with V/Line’s Legal team in 2018 and has recently moved on to work in a law firm. Before she left, she shared a reflection on her time at V/Line. Completing my cadetship in V/Line’s Legal team has been such an incredibly insightful and unique experience. Since my first year of university, I have been able to assist the lawyers with their matters, learn more about the varied work of in-house counsel and develop my legal research skills, as well as my interpersonal skills. Coming into the program, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in law but I had no network of legal professionals who I could speak to about their experiences and learn more about the profession.
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V/News / Issue 208
#BreakTheBias on International Women’s Day Be part of V/Line’s International Women’s Day (IWD) events by being a part of our #BreakTheBias selfie gallery. This year’s IWD theme is #BreakTheBias. To strike the IWD pose, cross your arms to show your commitment to calling out bias, smashing stereotypes, breaking inequality and rejecting discrimination.
International Women’s Day is on Tuesday 8 March 2022 and together, we can all break the bias.
You can participate by helping V/Line build a #BreakTheBias selfie gallery for IWD 2022.
For more information about V/Line’s plans and #BreakTheBias for IWD 2022, please visit the Engine Room
Please note these images may be shared on social media both internally and externally using #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias
How to get involved: 1. T ake a photo of your #BreakTheBias pose – cross your arms in solidarity (Tip: use the timer feature on your camera) 2. Save your photo 3. Send your #BreakTheBias photos to Natalie.Fahey@vline.com.au by 28 February, (Tip: send this through as actual size or at the highest resolution)
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Working at V/Line has provided me with this strong network of industry professionals that I was looking for, and from whom I can readily seek advice – whether it be about Law School, what it is like to work in commercial law and everything in between.
gained at V/Line into getting my foot in the door in the legal industry.
I have been able to leverage the experience and skills that I have
Doxa cadetships are a holistic support program providing university
I am so grateful for the overwhelming amount of support, guidance, and mentorship I have received from my colleagues. I cannot recommend Doxa’s Cadetship Program highly enough.
students from disadvantaged backgrounds with financial support, work placement and professional development training. Through the program, V/Line staff have mentored a number of cadets, helping them gain experience working in their chosen field.
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V/News / Issue 208
The blood bank needs our help Staff are being encouraged to give the gift of life by donating blood in February.
Through its Lifeblood Team, the Australian Red Cross is aiming to boost its donation tally this month and help save the lives of patients who are experiencing cancer, severe anaemia, trauma, childbirth complications and many other serious health issues. It’s important to note that staff should avoid physical work for 12 hours after a blood donation, so please consider this if you are planning to be involved. Any category one rail safety workers that perform physical work must not give blood within 12 hours of their next shift due to potential risks to health and safety arising from dizziness and light headedness. If you are unsure about giving blood before a shift, please speak with your manager to ensure any risk is managed appropriately. To get involved and to find out more, please click here
Harry belongs to station officer Bree Lornie. He came from Warrnambool conductor Fiona to help keep her other cat Scarlett company and they are the best of buddies, playing and getting up to mischief. Harry loves stretching out on the couch under the aircon and playing with the robo fish that both of them share. The two of them argue over toys all the time and are the best entertainment.
Compliment of the week
This week’s compliment is for our staff along the south-west corridor. “I would like to pass on very high praise and thank you to two of your customer service staff. My adult sister, who has an intellectual disability and does not have a mobile phone, was on the coach from Warrnambool but did not arrive as expected on the train at Geelong Station. Your staff members at Geelong
and North Geelong were absolutely fantastic in how they managed the situation and assisted us to find her. The staff member was able to get in direct phone contact with the train conductor, who confirmed she was not still on the train. The ultimate customer service act was when they rang us to
say she had arrived later than expected by coach at Geelong, reassured her we were on our way and sat with her until we arrived. Such thoughtfulness and empathy is uncommon these days and both of these staff members deserve special recognition.”
You can receive V/News in your personal inbox each fortnight. Send your preferred email address to comms@vline.com.au
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