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Uploaded on: November 3, 2026

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Gowerville Theatre 175 Plenty Road, Melbourne, VIC

Photo - Courtesy of Vicki Wilson

On Sunday, August 13 (during the early 1940s), a Grand Patriotic Concert was held under the patronage of the Mayor of Preston, Cr H. Robinson.

• The show was headlined by the National Follies Concert Party, a top wartime entertainment group.

• The event was organized as a fundraiser featuring a “Popular Conductress Competition” to raise money for the Red Cross Prisoner of War Fund.

• The concert supported local tram conductresses from the Preston Tramways and Workshops who stepped up to work and fundraise while men were away serving in the war. Locals were encouraged to buy penny votes for their favorite local workers, such as Winnie Gibson.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -