Inspired by a visit to the USA in the early 1950s, Hoyts' Southern Division manager George Griffith Jnr, formed a syndicate to build Australia’s first Drive-in located in Burwood. Drive-ins soon spread throughout the country. One of the earliest Skyline Drive-ins in rural Victoria was built in Wodonga, opening in 1956. It was located on the southwest corner of Melrose Drive and Melbourne Road and had a capacity of 643 vehicles. Its first screening was "The Broken Lance" with Richard Widmark, Spencer and Robert Wagner. The first manager of Skyline was Jim Robinson. The original screen was made from timber but had to be replaced only 20 years later with an all steel structure. The Wodonga Skyline became part of the Hoyts Country Theatres circuit and was later joined by the Stargazer drive-in located in Albury. Unlike most drive-in theatres, the snack bar was located under the screen. This allowed it to operate during the day to cater to travellers passing on the Hume Highway. When Hoyts decided to sell most of the regional circuit, the Skyline was purchased by the operator of the Albury Cinema, Mr A. Smith in conjunction with Village Roadshow. The Skyline closed in 1984 and was demolished in 1987. Its former location in Wodonga is now a housing estate whose street names, such as Roadshow Drive, Universal Court and Paramount Court, reflect the area’s history.These photos are significant because they document a popular venue in Wodonga's past.A series of photographs depicting the Skyline Drive-in at Wodonga.skyline drive-in, entertainment wodonga, businesses wodonga

A book containing detailed information about the history of Wood's Point, Victoria. It gives detailed information about citizens of Wood's Point buried at the local cemetery. Maps of the area are included.non-fictionA detailed history of the town of Wood's Point and stories of many of the people buried in the Cemetery. It also contains an analysis of places of origin and a glossary of causes of death. An index and a bibliography are included.epitaphs -- victoria -- woods point, cemeteries -- victoria -- woods point, woods point cemetery

A book containing information about the history of Matlock, Victoria. Detailed information about citizens of Matlock buried at the local cemetery. Maps of the area are included as well as official government communications related to the establishment of the cemetery. A bibliography and index are also provided.non-fictionA detailed history of the town of Matlock and stories of many of the people buried in the town's Cemetery. It also contains an analysis of places of origin and a glossary of causes of death. matlock cemetery, matlock, small cemeteries victoria

“Mac's Hotel" in Wodonga West, one of Wodonga's earliest hotels, was owned by William Christie McFarlane who arrived in Melbourne in December 1854 from Stirling, Scotland. He spent his first three years mining for gold at Beechworth. For the next three years he was the manager of the King’s Hotel at Wooragee, which was owned by his father-in-law, Charles David King. In 1860 he bought 180 acres of land at Wodonga, eventually extending his holdings to 1,000 acres on which he farmed. He called his property “Abbey Craig” after his home in Scotland. In time he owned several properties in Wodonga, a small vineyard and 'Mac's Hotel'. Mac’s Hotel was a popular meeting place for teamsters and other travellers on the Sydney Road. It opened in the early 1860s and the license was at times in the name of W. C. McFarlane and at other times held by his wife, Mary McFarlane. William had several positions during his life in Wodonga including serving as Postmaster and conducting a Commission and Insurance Agency business. He was appointed Secretary to the first Wodonga Building Society. W. C. McFarlane also filled the position of Sheriff’s Officer, Registrar of Births and Deaths and Marriages, and Justice of the Peace. W. C. McFarlane served as a member of the Wodonga Shire Council for several years including three terms as Shire President: 1889-90, 1890-1891 and 1894-95. He passed away in Wodonga in December 1906. After his death, the license of Mac’s Hotel continued to be held by Mary McFarlane until her death in November 1910. The license was not renewed and the hotel was taken over as a residence by their son, Walter McFarlane. Unfortunately, on 25 January 1913, Walter was assisting neighbours fighting grass fires about 3 miles away when his own home was completely destroyed by fire, bringing to an end the long history of the popular hostelry, Mac’s Hotel.This image is significant because it documents an early business in Wodonga conducted by a prominent Wodonga resident.Black and white image of people standing, on horseback and in coach outside Mac' Hotel, West Wodongamac's hotel, hotels wodonga

Sikh hawkers were a regular sight throughout the Wodonga and Upper Murray district in the early 20th century. The regular visitors to the area included Pola Singh and Gambil (Gamble) Singh. Gamble Singh often camped on McKoy’s Moorefield property in West Wodonga and several other places around the district. Gamble was also a horse breeder and had several draught horses to pull his wagon. Like many of the hawkers he worked hard to send money back to support family in India. He apparently returned to India about 1950, but left some money in the Bank of NSW in Wodonga in case he returned. He allegedly died soon after and the money was eventually able to be claimed by his nephews in India. A small overlooked park in Wodonga is named the “Gamble Singh Park” in his memory. J. Flanagan who operated the Halfway Hotel commented on having as many as seven or eight bullock teams “yoked” overnight to the fence outside the hotel as well as 100 or more Indian hawkers – led by the fondly known Pola (Pollah) Singh. The hawkers returned to Wodonga annually to renew their hawkers’ license and camped on the flats, or also came to Wodonga to collect orders at the railway station to stock up their supplies. Pola Singh was often based at the Colac Colac reserve near Corryong and had on board his compatriot Isar Singh. He often acted as an intermediary between the individual hawkers and the authorities. Unfortunately, it was Pola’s habit to walk in front of his wagon at the start of each day. On the morning of 23 June 1923 his horses were restive and hard to control. They took flight and ran Pola down on the road near Cudgewa. He was rushed to the Corryong Hospital but died there a few days later, aged 65. Pola was cremated, with some of his ashes scattered in the Murray River and some returned to his homeland to be scattered in the Ganges River. His cremation was listed in the Obituary page of the Weekly Times, Melbourne on Saturday 14 July 1923. A small memorial to Pola Singh is located in the Corryong Cemetery.These images are significant because they help to document the history of the Sikh Hawkers who plied their services to Wodonga and throughout rural Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.A collection of black and white images featuring Sikh Hawkers Gamble Singh and Pola Singh take in the Wodonga area.indian hawkers, sikh hawkers, gamble singh, pola singh

A spiral bound booklet of 102 pages including text and imagesA history of the Wodonga Citizens' Band from its early days in 1886 until 2017. It includes a detailed timeline as well as information about key events and performances, competition achievements, personalities and anecdotes. The publication was compiled by Jim Costelloe who was a Life Member of the Wodonga Brass Band.wodonga citizens' band incorporated, wodonga brass band, jim costelloe

The sale of stock in Wodonga goes back to its earliest history with yards being operated on the site now occupied by Elgin's Hotel and the Centro Shopping Centre, located close to the railways. Horse sales were an important part of the history of the Wodonga Saleyards. Horses were bred in north-east Victoria for the Indian Market, and records show that a truck load of horses left Wodonga Station in 1875. Campbell & Sons commenced selling horses at the Elgin Street site in 1895 and they conducted regular sales in association with Younghusband Ltd. Campbell & Sons was a Melbourne-based company, which eventually merged with Wright Stephenson & Co. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel of Friday 3rd March 1899 reported “Buyers attended from Bendigo, Ballarat, Calcutta, Madras, Singapore, The Islands, Gippsland, Dandenong, and Melbourne. Indian remounts brought up to £32 10s, draughts to £25, medium draughts to £18, town hacks and harness horses to £32, buggy pairs to £65, and light weedy sorts to £5.” After World War II, large numbers of mainly Clydesdale working horse teams were driven to Wodonga for sale. The March horse sale was the biggest and most important event of the year with overall yardings of 1,000 horses sold over two or even three days. It was a very busy period. All the horses were put through the ring singly, usually by Felix Grundy and generally caught and mouthed by Harold Boon, Andy Elliot or Toy Mulqueeney. The majority of the horses sold were trucked by rail from Wodonga. With developments in technology and the changing role of the horse in modern society, the sale of horses dwindled although horse sales at Wodonga continued until the early 1980s.These items are significant because they represent an important industry in Wodonga's past as a major centre of livestock sales in Victoria.Photographic images of horses on sale at Wodonga Saleyards.wodonga saleyards, horse sales wodonga

Personal papers relating to the affairs of the Haeusler family, including a probate will and financial documents. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.A stack of papers with handwriting in black ink. haeusler, haeusler collection, germany, wodonga, paperwork, administration, family, social history

Kodak manufactured and distributed a wide range of photographic products to Australasia, and operated a plant in Abbotsford, NSW from 1908 to the late 1950s.A brown rectangular cardboard box with manufacturers and production information printed on face. Hand drawn inscription in pencil in proper right corner: "14 - 3 - 63" Hand drawn arrow in bottom centre. Ineligible mark in black marker in centre proper left. photograph, photography, photos, history of photography, kodak, photographic equipment, wodonga

Three primary and high school text books in literacy and numeracy from the Victorian state curriculum c.1930s.These books contribute to our understanding of the history of education in Victoria, and have a link to the local history of Wodonga.Three red cloth bound school books stacked vertically. school, books, education, high school, primary school, children, teenagers, reading, maths, literacy, book, teaching, learning

A commemorative certificate from the city of Walnut, California, USA, acknowledging the friendship of the city of Wodonga.This item has a link to Wodonga's local history, and history of local government. A beige certificate with a golden seal, framed in timber. city, council, america, wodonga, california, diplomacy

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This album contains portrait photographs of the Haeusler family in the mid-twentieth century, and images of the town of Wodonga. They were taken by Alf Haeusler (1922-1997). This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.A black leather photograph album containing family photographs from the early to mid twentieth-century.photograph, photographs, photography, family photos, album, photograph album, haeusler, haeusler collection, wodonga

The 1920's brought many changes to social life in Australia after the austerity of the war years. This was reflected in many cultural activities including music and dance. In the latter years of the decade ,this was evident in the new dance craze of the "Yale Blues" and the "Heebie Jeebie". Young people were eager to learn the latest music and dance steps. Everything needed to support these new trends could be purchased from "Blake's Busy Bazaar and Music Shop in Dean Street, Albury. Peter Wesley Blake, born in Ontario, Canada in 1860, immigrated to Australia in 1881. He moved to Albury in 1896 after purchasing the news agency and stationery business of Messrs. TF Hughes & Co. Described as ‘enterprising’, his store named Blake’s Busy Book Bazaar, stocked “everything required in books, newspapers, stationery, leather and fancy goods, music, musical instruments etc”. Blake sold the store in 1912 to Arthur Hewish who retained the name of the store. It operated with a variety of different owners until 1941.This item is unique and has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our knowledge of social activities of the post-war period, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.A small paper booklet printed featuring a picture of a crowded ball room, and a list of song titles.1920's dance, blake's busy bazaar and music store, social life 1920's

North east Victoria was a major dairy producing region in the late nineteenth century. The first iteration of the Wodonga Butter Factory Ltd was established in 1892. Dairy was sent from farmers across the district for processing at the factory in Wodonga in the 1890s. Victorian creameries regularly exported frozen butter to London, stock was transported by rail for sale in Melbourne, and of course sold and consumed locally. E.W. Manns, of the prominent local Wodonga family, was a shareholder and was closely involved in the establishment of the Wodonga Butter Company. Many families living on farms also owned their own cow, and had equipment to process their own dairy products at home. Milk cans such as this one were used to store and transport milk from farms to dairies and butter factories for processing.This item represents the history of local industry in Wodonga and north east Victoria. A large metal milk can with handlesmilk, butter, cream, dairy, milk can, farming, farm, cow, rural, agriculture, wodonga

The school was opened in 1857 and was known as School No. 378, Belvoir. In 1862 the Board of Education took control and called it Belvoir School No. 37, later known as No. 37 Wodonga. In 1938 it was made a Higher Elementary School and in 1954 it reached the status of a High School. The school's motto was "Labora ut Servias", which translates as "Work to Serve”Wodonga High School has a long history dating back to 1857. It has had several changes of name and provided a variety of levels of education as Wodonga itself grew and community needs changed. It developed from a primary school to become a Higher Elementary School and then a High School. It has since evolved further to become Wodonga Senior Secondary College.A circular metal ashtray with indentations for 4 cigarettes. The ashtray bears the symbol representing the school motto for Wodonga High School Around the edge of the circular yellow, red and gold logo "WODONGA HIGH SCHOOL / LABORA UT SERVIAS"education, wodonga high school, school souvenirs

The Postmaster-General's Department (PMG) was a department of the Australian federal government, established at Federation in 1901, whose responsibilities included the provision of postal and telegraphic services throughout Australia. It was abolished in December 1975 and replaced by the Postal and Telecommunications Department. Telephone calls were transferred through exchanges by manual operators who staffed switchboards throughout the country. The clock was used to time calls in order to levy appropriate charge for telephone usage.The use of manual telephone exchanges played an important role in Australian telecommunications history, not just for day -to-day business and commercial use, but for social connections and communication during emergency. This timer has local significance as it was used at the Wodonga Telephone Exchange.A small clock used by switchboard operators to time calls at the Wodonga Telephone Exchange. Lever on the side operates timier.In centre of clock 'C. of A./P.M.G -50" Insignia of the Junghans Clock Manufacturers At the bottom edge of the time "Made in Germany",telecommunication, wodonga telephone exchange, p.m.g., timer, wodonga

non-fictionGrowing Up in Albury (2001) is one of a series of books by Howard Jones, including Magic Memories of Albury, Vanishing Albury and Good Old Albury featuring images from Albury’s past. albury, history

non-fictionCollection of 50 newspaper-based stories from 1857 to 2017. True tales recall grim tragedies, local events and stories of Albury celebrities and other personalitiesalbury history, albury personalities, local history

non-fictionA history of Arnolds Fruit Market established by J.G Arnold in 1892.j.g. arnold, arnolds wodonga, arnolds albury, businesses wodonga

non-fictionA history of St John's Orphanage, founded by the Albury Foundation of the Sisters of Mercy in 1882 at Thurgoona, NSW. The orphanage operated until 1978.st johns orphanage thurgoona, orphanages, orphanages history nsw

non-fictionA history of Albury historical buildingsalbury, historic buildings, lost buildings

non-fictionA history of Albury depicted through photos of historic buildingsalbury, history albury, albury photos

non-fictionA detailed study of the development of Bungil and Thologolong Stations in the Upper Murray regionbungil, thologolong station, upper murray, australian pastoral industry, peter sutherland, carter brothers

non-fictionA history of the township of Tallangatta, Victoria which was moved in the 1950s due to the expansion of the Hume Damold tallangatta, tallangatta, hume dam, "the town that moved"

non-fictionA short history of the Mitta Valley and those residents who served in World War One.mitta valley, world war one, ww1, servicemen, mitta mitta, returned soldiers

non-fictionA collection of the history of early hotels in the Wodonga areahotels wodonga, hotels bethanga, hotels bonegilla, hotels victoria history

non-fictionA short history of the town of Bethanga , located on Lake Humebethanga, hume weir, tallangatta shire, norm martin

non-fictionA detailed history of Australian Army base at Bonegilla, Victoria including its strategic role during WW2, its role as a pivotal migrant reception centre from 1947 until 1971, after which it reverted to the Army. It was then further developed as the Latchford barracks as part of the Army Logistic Training Centre.army history, bonegilla

A history of the Bonegilla Hall and its pivotal role in the communtybonegilla hall, bonegilla community, history bonegilla

This book briefly covers the period from the indigenous tribes who lived in the valley well before English settlers arrived. It documents the transformation of the area from a pristine valley environment to one that has been gradually over 200 years to a more commercial rural/industrial landscaped valley. The book details the first pioneers and their descendants, along with the changes to their environment.kiewa river valley, pioneers victoria, kiewa valley social life and cusstoms