Cecily is on track as new jetty train driver- Busselton Dunsborough Mail
By Brooke Hunter
JUST like the famous train driver Casey Jones, Cecily Jarvis is "cannonballin’ down the track” as the only female driver operating the Jetty Train since it went back on the rails.
From the 98 people who applied for the job, casual midwife Cecily was chosen alongside retired Capel teacher Des Chidgzey, Humphrey Leach and John Bailie to operate the train.
Cecily said it was a long process applying for the position, but the wait for almost a year to find out whether she was successful was worth it.
"I love the jetty and to see people enjoying the jetty is amazing. I’m also on the BJECA committee because I wanted to get involved in preserving the jetty and running the train,” she said.
"I applied when it was advertised in the paper almost a year ago and kept checking to see whether I’d got it.
'They were looking for a good people person–someone who is outgoing, cheery and friendly. And I thought I fitted the bill.
"Ian Clarke, the train master, then got me on the phone and told me I was shortlisted.
"This was in July because back then they thought it would start running in September. It wasn’t until November that I heard anything and then we started training.”
All train drivers were subject to rigorous theoretical and mechanical training in the months leading up to the jetty re-opening, with medicals also being completed.
In addition to her job as a jetty train driver, Cecily juggles two other jobs – one as a coach driver and another as a midwife.
"I drive coaches and I have been a nurse mid-wife for 40 years non-stop. At the moment I am at St John’s hospital in Bunbury and I drive for South West Coach Lines casually.
"I was able to work right around Australia and travel extensively. I travel about three or four times a year and this is why the train is such a good job for me.”
Des Chidgzey, 61, said seeing children happy and the casual and relaxed atmosphere of the position were the main reasons for his application.
"I started the job for a little bit of community service and for a little bit of pocket money along the way,” he said.
"I taught for 41 years and the children were the best part of teaching, so that is one of the main reasons why I applied to be a train driver. You also get to meet very interesting people with interesting backgrounds.
"When I applied, I was asked not to withdraw my application as they didn’t know when the jetty would be refurbished. So I kept it in there for almost a year and when I found out I was successful, that was fantastic.”
It seems the long wait for Cecily, Des and their train driver counterparts was worth it after all.