"Although horse breeding and racing was an established and popular tradition in the district by the 1900s, one horse is credited with raising the profile of the industry in Melton during this period. The Welkin was bred in England and brought to Melton in 1910 as the foundation sire of Ernest Clarke’s Melton stud. Clarke, brother of Sir Rupert, enjoyed remarkable success with his champion stallion. By the time of the horse’s death in 1925, The Welkin had sired individual winners, with total winnings of almost £600,000. His most celebrated offspring, Gloaming, achieved 57 wins from 67 starts and won a then-record of £86,000 in prize money. The Welkin was buried at the entry gates to Clarke’s Melton stud under an inscribed marble headstone, as the racing world mourned the loss of ‘one of the most successful sires that ever did stud duty in Australia".Articles about Welkin the Champ featured in The Mail Express and Melton Express local identities

Born 1904, he attended Melton School 430 1913/14. Achieved fame in bicycle racing, later was a well known Member of Parliament, held ministerial positions both in Australia and overseas. On October 27th launched Melton’s History–Plains of Promise 1985.Memories of Hubert Opperman, article featured in the Agelocal identities

Colour slide of a children at a Merry Go Round ride at Government House in 1960. The ride has racing cars for the children to ride in. Melbourne Legacy held an annual Christmas Party for Junior Legatees and Widows at Government House for many years. Junior Legatees were given gifts. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of a Legacy Christmas party held at Government House.Colour slide of a Merry-Go-Round ride with racing cars a Legacy Christmas Party at Government House, in a cardboard Kodak mount with red printing.Handwritten 'The Merry Go Round Govt House Party 1960' in blue ink.christmas party, government house party, carousel

Barrie House on Ferris Road was located on the west side south of Highway. Weather board house was moved from Harkness Rd in 1941 and was moved to Bulmans Road near Porteous Road 1988/90 The site was near the entrance to the Harness Racing Complex.Black and white photos of the Ferris Road landscapeagriculture

"Melton has a long and celebrated history of horse breeding and racing. Draught horses were a crucial aspect of life in the early days of European settlement, and were heavily depended upon for both transport and agricultural labour. Peppercorn trees at the corner of Station and Brooklyn roads have been associated with a horse trough installed there to provide a drink to workhorses carting produce to the chaff mills and railway station south of Melton.20 Breeders, trainers and harness drivers in the area later became such an influential force in the equine industry that this came to be a defining aspect of the district’s identity and reputation.Pioneer of the Victorian horse racing industry and early Rockbank squatter William Cross Yuille was one of the earliest importers of stud racehorses in the district in the 1850s. A leading sports editor and writer, Yuille established bloodstock auctioning agency W. C. Yuille & Co. and was involved in the compilation of the first Australian Stud Book, which ensures the integrity of thoroughbred breeding in Australia. According to early Melton chronicler Alexander Cameron, horse races were first organised in the area by Rockbank farmer William Keating. Keating owned racehorses of his own, and many brought horses from Melbourne for the events, which ‘drew large gatherings’.22 Melton Racing Club meetings were held on the Exford Estate with the permission of H. W. Staughton, who built a small wooden grandstand in 1882. Other early races and sports meetings are said to have been held in the vicinity of the current-day Melton golf course.23 An 1884 article reported that Melton’s ‘race programme … equals any put forth by country towns of far greater size’. Ernest Clarke was another important figure in the early horse racing industry in Melton. He established the Melton Stud in 1902, which bred numerous successful racehorses. Perhaps most notably The Welkin, one of the most famous stallions in Australian horse racing in the early twentieth century. The Welkin sired Gloaming, bred by Clarke at the Melton stud in 1915 and one of Australia’s greatest champion racehorses. During a long and prestigious career in both Australia and New Zealand, Gloaming achieved a triumphant 57 wins out of 67 starts and won a record amount of prize money. Ken Cox purchased the Stockwell Stud in Diggers Rest in 1957 and developed it into one of the largest and most renowned thoroughbred breeders in Australia. With its top-class facilities, international design standards and scientific methods, Stockwell became ‘the flagship of the Victorian breeding industry’.26 As well as racing studs, numerous trotting tracks were established on the flat plains around Melton in the 1960s.27 Other studs to play a leading role in the development of Melton as thoroughbred country were Cornwall Park and Merrywood at Toolern Vale, St John’s Lane Stud at Diggers Rest and Birchwood, Teppo Park and Dreelburn in the far north-east of the shire, near Sunbury. By 1985, thoroughbred horse breeding was such big business in Melton that the shire council adopted the slogan ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, which was used throughout its promotional material.29 But the slogan contained deeper meaning and was not just about Melton’s great equine industry and thoroughbred champions, the council explained: ‘“Thoroughbred Country” should be seen as a new concept of Melton, as a place where people can achieve the “Thoroughbred” ideal, excellence in all aspects of life’. The aim of the council in promoting ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, was ‘to instil in present and future residents the feeling that this is a place that is better than others. A place to be proud of’. In 1988, Melton’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang won his 176th race of the season, claiming the national harness racing record for the most wins in a single season.The following year, the first Melton Plate was held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, cementing the district’s importance in the harness racing industry. The inaugural winner was Victorys Phil, owned by local Danny Mullan. By the 1990s, Melton had earned the title of the ‘Home of Harness Racing in Victoria’. State-of-the-art, world-class harness racing facility and entertainment complex Tabcorp Park opened in Melton in 2009. In 2011, the Shire of Melton was home to over 140 registered trainers and over 1,200 horses. The municipality’s continuing leadership and influence in the industry today is a testament to the skills, talents and leadership of the local community over its history".Shire of Melton pamphlet of a map and information of the equine industry in Meltoncouncil

Born in 1904, Opperman attended Melton School 430 1913/14. Achieved fame in bicycle racing, later was a well known Member of Parliament, held ministerial positions both in Australia and overseas. On October 27th he launched Melton’s History – Plains of Promise 1985 The famous bicycle was left at its permanent “home” at the rooms of the Rochester Historical Society formerly Rochester Railway Station 1994.local identities, local significant events

The first Bank of New South Wales building in Wodonga was located in a small cottage. The branch opened on 7 May 1872. At first it was conducted as an agency of the Beechworth branch. In October 1872 premises in Sydney road were purchased from Mr P. L. M. S. Chauncy for £650. When the bank commenced in the cottage the first account was opened in the name of Hillerman & Co, storekeepers, Wodonga. Another early account was in the name of William Huon, squatter of de Kerilleau, Wodonga. On 9 July 1873, the agency was converted into full branch under the management of Mr. Joseph Belcher. Other early accounts included Cronin & Callaghan, storekeepers; John Bassett Jnr, shoemaker; John Jennings, contractor; Ah Soon, tobacco grower, Kergunyah; John de Corney Ireland, collector of customs; Andrew Kyle, fellmonger; Rowan Lockhead, accountant; Alexander McKay, publican; George Pollard, farmer; Thomas Street, farmer; and Edmund Uren, gentleman, Buninyong. Organisations banking at the branch included Wodonga Building Society, 1873; Wodonga Mechanics Institute 1875; Wodonga Band Fund 1882; Talgarno Athenaeum, 1888; Talgarno Butter & Cheese Factory 1892; Wodonga Federation League 1893; Wodonga Brass Band 1895; Wodonga Benevolent Society 1895; Wodonga Fire Brigade 1897; Wodonga Rifle Club and Wodonga Racing Club in 1899 and Kiewa Polo Club in 1900. There were also numerous lodge and church accounts. The cottage was later renovated with a porch added in 1889 and an extension to the residence in 1898. The original house was eventually demolished to make way for a new bank and manager’s residence in Sydney Road in 1906. That building was again remodelled in 1969. It became a branch of the WESTPAC bank when the Bank of NSW and CBA Bank joined to become the Westpac Banking Corporation in 1982. After the building ceased operation as a bank, it has been the home to several businesses including a video store, a travel agency and a clothing store.These images have local significance as they record changes to a building which filled an important role in the commercial life of Wodonga.A series of photos both black and white and coloured which document changes in the former Bank of New South Wales building in Wodonga over time.Photo 1: On sign above verandah "BANK of NEW SOUTH WALES" Photo 2: On sides of building and above door: "BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES" Photo 3: Above door: "HIRE/ VIDEO MADNESS/ SALES" Photo 4: Above door: "WODONGA TRAVEL"wodonga businesses, banking wodonga, bank nsw wodonga, businesses high street wodonga

This image of the Ralph Falkiner’s Mueller Petrol-Electric Road Train was taken in Wodonga in February 1914. Imported from Germany by Mr Ralph S Falkiner in late 1913, the train’s inventor, Major W A Mueller with two assistants, came to Melbourne to assemble then commission the train. The train cost Mr Falkiner about £13,000 plus £4,591 import duties. The Falkiner family were sheep breeders in the Western Riverina and he hoped to use the road train primarily to convey wool to the railways for despatch to Sydney. The train was 216 feet long, weighed 43.5 tons with a top speed loaded of 6-8m/h and petrol consumption up to two gallons per mile. Its first Australian journey was to haul 50 tons of cargo to Edmondson & Co at Wagga Wagga, 277 miles away. The journey from Melbourne was plagued with problems including broken cylinders and crank shaft and overheating as it was not designed for Australian climatic conditions. Three months after leaving Melbourne it arrived in Wodonga. A series of problems between Springhurst and Wodonga, including broken cylinders and valves caused an eight day delay. Some of the cargo was off-loaded in Albury, then after repairs the train continued on to Wagga where it arrived in May 1914. After unloading there, the road train was taken to Mr Falkiner's Groongal Station, near Hay and subsequently made several long trips into drought-stricken areas or the Western Riverina. Eventually the dream collapsed when the engines gave out after the train bogged in the sticky black soil of the Hay plain with 251 bales of wool on board. The train was finally railed back to Melbourne and stored but destroyed when the warehouse burnt down. In this photo, the road train is drawn up outside the Wodonga Stores and Bakery owned and operated by George Leighton. Mr Leighton began his business opposite the Terminus Hotel in Sydney Street, Wodonga in 1885. His business included a general store, stocking groceries, ironmongery, drapery, crockeryware, boots and shoes as well as a bakery. He was very actively involved in the community and served on the Wodonga Council for 18 years including three terms as Wodonga Shire President in 1901 – 02, 1910-11 and 1913-14. He was also Chairman of the Wodonga Waterworks Trust for several terms. Mr. Leighton also took a prominent part in the movement to establish a Public Library in Wodonga. His other involvements including being a Founder of the Wodonga Lodge of Freemasons, Honorary Treasurer of the Wodonga Bulldogs Football Club and Secretary of the Wodonga Racing Club. Mr Leighton passed away in Wodonga in 1916.This image is significant because it records a rare event in Wodonga and an experiment in Australian road transport.Black and white images of the Falkiner Road Train in Wodonga and on its first journey from Melbourne to Wagga, NSW It is taken in front of the Wodonga Stores and Bakery operated by George Leighton in Sydney Street, Wodonga.falkiner electric train, early road transport, high street wodonga, george leighton

Direct Gift won the Novice Trot Ballarat on the 20 May 1922. Direct Gift owned, trained and driven by J Ried. One large black and white mounted photograph. Top line: Ballarat / 20/5/22 Second line: Novice Trot Third line: Won by Direct Gift Fourth line: Owner Trainer Driver J Ried Bottom line: Distance 1 1/4 miles / Time 3 min 14 secs Bottom right corner: A Copley, 440 Flinders Street Near William St Melbournehorses, race, winner, driver, trainer, owner, ballarat, a copley, direct gift, j ried, 1922

Susie Royal won the Trotter's Racer's Handicap Ballarat on the 10 February 1934. Susie Royal owned trained and driven by W Rothacker. One large black and white photograph in a black frame with gold trimmings. Top line: Ballarat / 10/2/34 Second line: Trotter's Pacer's Handicap Third line: Won by Susie Royal Fourth line: Owner Trainer & Driver W Rothacker Bottom line: Distance 1 1/2 miles / Time 3 min 46 secs Bottom right corner: A Copley, Phone F1748 434a Flinders Street Near William St Melbournehorses, race, winner, driver, trainer, owner, ballarat, a copley, 1934, susie royal, wc rothacker, bill rothacker

Thelma Alto won the Trotters & Pacers Handicap at Geelong on the 11 January 1926. Thelma Alto owned, trained and driven by E Earl. One large black and white mounted photograph. Top line: Geelong / 11/1/26 Second line: Trotters & Pacers Handicap Third line: Won by Thelma Alto Fourth line: Owner, Trainer & Driver E Earl Bottom right corner: A Copley, 434a Flinders Street Near William St Melbournehorses, race, winner, driver, trainer, owner, geelong, thelma alto, e earl, 1926

Prince Pirate won the Association Handicap 2nd Div at Ascot on the 20 July 1936. Prince Pirate owned, trained and driven by O Marshall. One large black and white photograph in a black and gold frame. Top line: Ascot / 20/7/36 Second line: Association Handicap 2nd Div Third line: Won by Prince Pirate Fourth line: Owner Trainer & Driver O Marshall Bottom line: Distance 1 1/4 miles / Time 2 min 56 secs Bottom right corner: A Copley, Phone F1748 434a Flinders Street Near William St Melbournehorses, race, winner, driver, trainer, owner, a copley, ascot, o marshall, 1936, prince pirate, orme marshall

Glide Away won the Flying Handicap at Richmond on the 7 May 1928. Glide Away owned, trained and driven by A Petherick. One large black and white photograph in a black and gold frame. Top line: Richmond / 7/5/28 Second line: Flying Handicap Third line: Won by Glide Away Fourth line: Owner Trainer & Driver A Petherick Fifth line: Distance 1 mile / Time 2 min 18 3/4 sec Bottom right corner: A Copley, 434a Flinders Street Near William St Melbournehorses, race, winner, driver, trainer, owner, a copley, richmond, glide away, 1928, a petherick, alf petherick

Large rectangular black and white harness racing photo finish mounted on white paper and framed in a thin wooden frame (probably remounted and reframed)Bottom centered in black ink: Richmond 3/11/1919 / Ladies Bracelet / Won by "Akeley" At the back stamp in blue ink: BG / Bethany Gallery / 116 Bridge Street, Bendigo, Vic 3550/ Ph: (054) 42 4771 Fax: (054) 42 3480trotting, richmond, akeley, ladies bracelet, joe hillier, 1919, harness racing

Richmond TrottingLarge rectangular sepia harness racing photo finish mounted on cream-coloured paper. Written in black ink on the frame: Richmond 11/3/1929 / Derby 1000 Pounds Race / Trotting Divison / won by "Fair Admiral" / Owner Trainer & Driver C Robinson [sic] (name should be C. Robertson) Printed in the bottom right corner: A.Copley / 434a Flinders Street/Near Williams St,/Melbourne.richmond, trotting, victoria derby, fair admiral, harness racing, derby, sulky, charlie robertson jnr, c robertson jnr, c robertson, charlie robertson

The photo shows President W.A. Perrin accepting a donation from the Mr W.P. Mein of Williamstown Racing Club at a Legatee function. The Comradeship Bell is on the table so it is assumed it is a Legacy luncheon, usually held weekly. President 'Bill' Perrin is wearing dark glasses, as he was blind as a result of service in the First World War. He went on to be elected President of the Co-Ordinating Council at the Perth Conference in 1948 to succeed L/- Savige in the role. An article in Trove provides the date of 19 June 1943 for the luncheon. The Williamstown Racing Club donated the net proceeds of a race meeting on 12 May at Moonee Valley to Legacy, which was £9,178/8/6. The photo caption identifies the men as: 'CHEQUE FOR £9,178 being presented by Mr W. P. Mein, chairman of Williamstown Racing Club, to Mr W. A. Perrin, president of the Legacy Club at the club's luncheon yesterday. The funds were raised by a race meeting. Seated (from left) : Major H. Steele, Messrs E. Sherwen (vicepresident Legacy), A. N. Kemsley, S. G. Garnsworthy (treas, WRC), J. Lindon, and A. G. Spence.' More photos of this event are in the photo album at 00041.Legatees met up for comradeship meetings and functions. This photo records the donation from the Williamstown Racing Club.Black and white photo of Legatees at a function in 1945.Handwritten on reverse: 'Cheque being handed over to President Perrin by W Pultney Mein on behalf of the Williamstown Racing Club. Head Table: [names indistinct]' in pencil. Stamped copyright of The Argus Melbourne in purple ink and negative number 'U-2166' in pencil.legatee event, past presidents, donations

In 1991 the 'Red Berets' landed at Sandown Racecourse on behalf of Legacy. In recognition of the support of the VATC President Sullivan presented a plaque to VATC Acting chairman Mr Geoff Bellmaine at a Tuesday luncheon. VATC is the Victorian Amateur Racing Club. From other photos of the event it is known 'The Australian Army's parachute display team, the 'Red Berets' provided a spectacular free-fall display at Sandown racecourse to help highlight Legacy Week.'A record of the VATC and the army being involved in promoting Legacy Week.Colour photo x 2 of President Sullivan presenting a plaque and a yellow paper label.Yellow label says 'In recognition of the support given by the VATC to enable the 'Red Berets' to jump at Sandown on behalf of Legacy , Legacy President, John Sullivan, presented a plaque to the Acting Chairman, Mr Geoff Bellmaine, at a Tuesday luncheon.'legacy promotion, legatee event

A photo of a mural in Libya painted by a South Australian Sapper of a bottle of Victorian Bitter Ale being poured into the Melbourne Cup trophy and horses racing. The photo, and two others, were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. The text says 'A good thing for the Cup but better for the tonsils'. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian). 'The photos were there when we were coming back from Western Libya sometime in March 1941, prior to the 6th Division going to Greece.' From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2. They were donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of the way Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of Victorian Bitter Ale for the Melbourne Cup mural.tobruk, beer, victorian bitter ale, ale, horse racing, murals, world war 2

Some names associated with the photograph are written on the back as follows: Jack, Vince and Thelma Hayes, Edmund Hayes, Catherine Theresa Hayes (nee Carty) in front of fence.Framed black and white photograph of people in front of the Buninyong Racing Club Grandstand. There is a picket fence at the front of the scene. The frame has a flower-patterned edge. Some names associated with the photograph are written on the back as follows: Jack, Vince and Thelma Hayes, Edmund Hayes, Catherine Theresa Hayes (nee Carty) in front of fence.horse racing, buninyong, hayes family

Track racing commenced at Canterbury Park in 1936. Prior to this racing was held at Epsom and was Plumpton (open field)style racing. At Canterbury Park racing was held over a 340 yard track and up to 20 bookmakers attended. In 1978 the club moved its operations to Lord's Raceway at Junourton.Fourteen pages programme. Bendigo Eaglehawk speed coursing club, greyhound racing at Canterbury Park, Eaglehawk, Saturday, April 16, 1938 at 8.15pm. The programme details the nine races with the names of the dogs runners. Authorized by E.A. Old (Secretary), 102 King street, Bendigo. Printed by C.W. Seymourbendigo greyhound racing, 1938, eaglehawk

The item was awarded to Dr Harry Jenkins for a motorcycle race held in NSW on 16/02/1910. Jenkins was an avid, amateur racing car driver and motorcycle rider and had a dental practice in Collins Street Melbourne. He owned Churchill Island from 1936 to 1963 and bequeathed the island to Margaret Campbell on his death. Sister Campbell had been nurse to his disabled son and wife and she lived on the island from the time of World War Two. This item was given to Arthur Evans, a family friend, on the day of the auction sale of artifacts when Margart Campbell sold the island in 1973.This trophy demonstrates Harry Jenkins' prowess of motor sport and his competitive spirit. This is one of very few orginal items found within the Churchill Island museum collection.Large solid metal three-dimensional object featuring 4 identical cylinders open at one end. All 4 cylinders are joined, domed in profile and designed to represent the four cylinders of a motor bike. The object is engraved and has silver plated hallmarks. Engraved on centre 2 sections: MOTOR CYCLE CLUB OF NSW SCRATCH RACE 4 HP AND OVER H JENKINS 16-2-10 Also Hallmarks SYDENHAM PATENT 2272 A S trophy, harry jenkins, motor bike racing, churchill island, 16/02/1910, scratch race, 4 hp and over, motor cycle club of nsw