Last weekend, the Queensland Omnibus and Coach Society (QOCS) officially realised its dream when it unveiled Queensland’s first dedicated bus museum in the Brisbane Transport Museum.
Around 200 members and guests of the bus industry headed to the museum on November 25 to get a first look inside, with the Brisbane Transport Museum playing host to the largest display of heritage buses and coaches in Queensland while also featuring a large collection of rare photos and industry memorabilia representing over a century of passenger transport history.
The idea started back in July 1996 when QOCS was formed at Brisbane City Council’s Garden City Bus Depot by a small group of individuals with a shared goal to one day establish a museum that showcases the preserved fleet of Queensland buses and coaches.
The opening of the museum came just after QOCS acquired its 22nd vehicle in a 1985 International three-axle coach bodied by Gamer, Brewer and Winter (GBW).
“This all-Queensland built vehicle was new to Skennar’s Coaches in December 1985 and operated in the state for two decades largely by the Crisp family in Stanthorpe and Warwick from 1992 until 2014,” QOCS says.
“In 2014, the vehicle was sold Ken and Dot Sims of Sims Coaches in Sprent, Tasmania.
We thank the Sims for providing us with the opportunity to acquire this significant vehicle, along with Alex and James Johnston of Johnston’s Coaches for their help facilitating the vehicle’s travel from Tasmania.
“The bus is currently on its way north to Queensland under the care of industry stalwart Stan Biega of Bus Sales Online.”