Tasmanian 0319s

[Tazzieman]

I am researching the history of MB in Tasmania. There were a number of these small buses sold here , used by schools and industry , as well as a Cradle Mountain tourist bus bought new by Dennis Maxwell in 1958 and still in his possession.

I was given a photo of a school bus at the time of dealer handover . Possibly this was part of Snug area school bus "fleet" in the 60s. The research continues...if anyone has any knowledge of any these Tassy buses , please let me know!

[70499]

Gerhard has a 319 down you way.

[Tazzieman]

Yep , Gerhard and I know each other - and live close! He's had a wonderful time with his bus .

[70499]

Have you looked through Tassies State Library photo archive for any Merc or 319 photos? Or if you have been given a heads of a school or company that may have own a 319 back in the day, then do a search on those schools/companies names also. You maybe lucky as you find a distant background shot of a Tassie 319. The WA state library archive is very comprehensive so the Tassie version maybe just as good?
If I have any spare time later this week I can have a look and see what I can find.

Have you any pictures of Dennis Maxwell's O319?

[Tazzieman]

Yes Brad ; I'm scouring the online archives like a detective. Hitting the library and road trips will take up time I don't have every day! I have gone through the compendiums about the EZ company , hydro and forestry to no avail. Plus gone through various school archival pics.
Here is Dennis' coach; I will try & contact him directly.

[70499]

Some info from 2014.

Photograph courtesy © BRUCE TILLEY

He still has it, runs around the paddock with it delivering hay. WAS going to bring it down to D'port for his BBQ in Sept, but it wouldn't start, after he mouthed off "it never fails, always starts"