"The Melton Viaduct, opened in 1886, is of State heritage significance as a very large and visually distinctive wrought iron, lattice girder trestle bridge over the Werribee River (now Melton Reservoir). It comprises 18.3 and 9.1 metre spans, in a generally alternate arrangement, of total length 375 metres, and standing 38 metres over the Werribee River. Wrought iron small section iron was used to build tension trussed trestle legs, which supported four lines of rivetted wrought-iron deck-type double lattice trusses. It has bluestone abutments and pier bases of coursed rock-faced bluestone with drafted margins. The larger half-piers, now usually submerged in the Melton Reservoir have sharp tapered cutwaters and curved coping at the tops. While designed to carry two rail tracks it has only ever been used as a single track line. Despite several alterations to its deck structure, it remains an outstanding example of a lighter structural design employing open metal trestle supports and metal truss girders. The direct Melbourne to Ballarat railway link of which the Melton viaduct was the major engineering work contributed significantly to the history and development of Victoria. This new link reflected Ballarat’s diversifying economy as well as the commercial and political influence of the metropolis. Construction of the bridge, and the associated large workers camp, were extensively photographed, documenting an important episode in local history. The railway enabled the development of new industries in the Melton area, notably the timber industry and a chaff industry of national importance, greatly facilitated the later transition of the Shire from a pastoral to a farming economy, and struck a major blow to Melton township’s era as a wayside town servicing Ballarat road (especially coach) traffic". Melton Railway Bridge being built across the Werribee Rivertransport

In November 1932, Frank Packer and Ted Theodore purchased the World, a struggling afternoon newspaper owned and operated by the Australian Workers' Union in Sydney, and re-branded it as the Star. Approached by Sir Hugh Denison, who enjoyed a monopoly over the Sydney newspaper market, they were offered 86,500 Pounds to close the paper if they agreed not to publish a morning, evening or Sunday newspaper within a 300-mile radius of the city for three years. Packer and Theodore accepted the offer, the the Weekly was a way of skirting the embargo, it would be a women's newspaper, and it would be self-sufficient. George Warnecke envisioned the Weekly as a publication with an Australian outlook, appealing to all sections of society, and offering an element of news in every article, whether it concern fashion, cookery, or parenting. When the first issue appeared in Sydney on June 10, 1933, it was printed in black-and-white newspaper format and priced at twopence per copy, "the biggest value in the world". It had sold out by lunchtime. 4 x Australian Women's Weekly magazines. Dated:- 1. December 4, 1943; 2. July 29, 1944; 3. August 5, 1944; and 4. September 2, 1944. All were priced at 4d.magazines

At harvest time farmers had relied on itinerant teams of workers descending on the district looking for work. The three Barrie brothers on their adjoining farms combined forces to cut their crop at its optimum time while the weather was in their favour. Up to many 20 workers at times formed a team in earlier times. Agricultural university students were also keen to gain practical experience in the field. Each of the brothers had a particular skill, and Tom Barrie was the expert on stack building. The district haystacks had a distinctive shape and could be recognised by their builder. Harvesting at Ferris Road, Meltonpioneer families, local identities, agriculture

Murray Comrie Collection. This photograph is a well-preserved original. Monochrome photograph depicting the newly completed wooden bridge at Newbridge, Victoria. Thirteen men are in the image, standing at one end of the bridge. These are most likely men who worked on constructing the bridge. Position of photographer is on the west bank of the Loddon, looking east.newbridge, bridge, loddon river, infrastructure, construction, roads, workers, farms, people

'Box' irons were heated by red hot charcoal. These first irons were first patented in 1852.Metal 'Box' iron with wooden handle. Specimen of 'Bless' charcoal iron decorated with head of Hephaestos, the Greek God of metal workers.irons, laundry irons

Bonegilla operated as an army base from September 1940 and by 1943 was expanded to 848 buildings, including a general hospital. It provided training for small arms instructors, signallers, transport workers, bomb disposal and gas warfare personnel. In a response to the need to house the growing number of displaced persons coming to Australia, the Bonegilla Reception and Training Centre began operating in 1947. For some time it was a shared facility but the Army withdrew temporarily from Bonegilla in 1949, whilst still retaining ownership of the site. From 1949-65 Bonegilla Reception and Training Centre operated without a military presence. However, in the late 1960s and Australia’s commitments to the Vietnam War and pressed by the need to find accommodation to train men, especially National Servicemen, the Army negotiated with the Department of Immigration to take over several blocks at Bonegilla in 1965. Thirty-five huts were acquired by the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps as a Recruit Training Centre in which National Servicemen and recruits could attend 10-week ordnance courses. Shortly afterwards additional huts were acquired by the School of Military Survey, which established field-survey practical training areas and special astronomical observation sites as it began conducting courses in surveying. Instructors and trainees co-located at Bonegilla with migrant reception centre. In 1971 the Reception Centre closed and the site reverted to the Army. Progressively after 1971 the Army undertook a major site redevelopment with the construction of Latchford Barracks as the Army Apprentice School. Later Latchford Barracks was redeveloped into part of the Army Logistic Training Centre. Block 19 of the Mirant Reception Centre later became the Bonegilla Migrant Experience Heritage Park.This item depicts a heritage listed historical site located in the Wodonga district.A large poster size representation of the variety of buildings at Bonegilla, Victoria when it served as the location for the Royal Australian School of Military Survey. The insignia of the Royal Australian Survey Corps is featured in the top left hand corner.Top left corner: Insignia of the Royal Australian Survey Corps At bottom of sketches: "The School of Military Survey, Bonegilla Victoria / January 1966 - December 1982migrant reception centre bonegilla, army at bonegilla, australian military

Hecla produced a wide range of appliances for domestic use, beginning with heaters and later branching out to a wider range of kitchen appliances Hecla was established by Clarence William Marriott, a young Melbourne metal worker. He began manufacturing Australia's first carbon filament electric radiators in 1899. He originally worked for his father James Marriott who commenced business in Melbourne as an art metal worker in 1872 and was, in 1907, appointed as the official art metal worker to the Victorian Government producing items including the ornate iron gates and gas lamp standards outside Melbourne's Parliament House. With the invention of nickel chromium wire after 1900, C.W. Marriott began making more efficient heating elements using this new material in 1916. After being influenced by the eruption of Mount Hekla in Iceland, on 19 December 1918, Clarence registered the brand name "HECLA" with an erupting volcano as its logo. The company Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd was officially registered in 1922. In 1928 the company adopted the advertising slogan, 'By Hecla, it's Good'. The Hecla range rapidly expanded to include electric heaters and radiators, electric foot warmers, electric kettles, ceramic & metal electric jugs, immersion hot water elements, electric fans, electric coffee percolators, electric toasters, electric grillers and stoves, electric irons and electric frypans, clocks and curling wands. Electric blankets were introduced shortly after WWII.In 1930, a controlling interest in Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd was acquired by General Electric Corporation. Clarence William Marriott died in June 1967 in Melbourne, Victoria.This item is representative of a common domestic appliance used throughout Australia. It was manufactured by a pioneering Australian company.A small chrome steel toaster manufactured by Hecla Australia. It has a door on either side which flips down to insert or remove a slice of bread on each side, Each door has two black Bakelite knobs. The electric element is placed down the centre of the cavity. A detachable electric cord is included.240 Volts, 600 Watts. Cat. No. T4 Submitted to Electrical Approval Board Ref Application A1/AD01 SECV 240 Volt 600 Watt MANFED. IN AUSTRALIA SOLID BRASSelectrical appliances, hecla corporation australia, clarence william marriott, domestic appliances

A small publication by a local author. A4 size including photographs and a map.This publication tells the story of the village of Mitta Junction which was established in about 1920 on the Victorian side of the Hume Dam construction site. The town was built to house workers and their families during the construction of the Hume Weir. It included houses, a shop, hall and school as well as tennis courts. After the completion of the weir the village and all its contents was sold at auction in June 1936 for £7000. The Mitta Junction school continued to operate until the mid 1980s. The book also documents aspects of the history of the Clark family of Bonegilla.mitta junction township, hume weir construction, clark family bonegilla

A publication relating the history of mining at Bethanga in Northeast Victoria, the miners and semi-itinerant workers, who came to the area in the 1870s in search of a fortune and the community they created. Thus publication of 222 pages includes text, images, maps and a detailed index.non-fictionThe town of Bethanga is located in the mountainous north-east of Victoria, near the Murray River. In the 1870s miners and itinerant workers came to the area to seek their fortunes.This history of Bethanga, covering the period from 1875 to 1912, tells the story of these people and the community they created. gold mining bethanga, miners victoria, history of bethanga

This business was the first Cleaning Service operating in Wodonga, later branching out into cleaning supplies. The business was owned by Charles De Guara who had migrated to Australia from Malta at the age of 16. After various jobs in Melbourne, marriage to Latvian migrant Maija and three children, he and his family moved to Wodonga in 1971. He initially worked at the Wodonga Meat Works and soon became the union delegate, initiating strike action related to inaccurate practices in recording slaughtered animals which affected workers’ payments. This action successfully secured back pay for the workers. Mr De Guara started his cleaning enterprise in 1981 while still at the meatworks and then became full-time with cleaning in 1983. He set up his showrooms in the former Wodonga Library building in Hugh Street, Wodonga. The business employed up to 25 full and part-time workers with a turn over close to a million dollars annually. In addition to cleaning, Mr De Guara sold carpet cleaning machines and vacuum cleaners to individuals as well as businesses, hospitals and clubs. Due to changed family circumstances, the business closed in the late 1980s. Mr. De Guara moved to the Mornington Peninsula district, where he passed away on 30 June 2022This item has a clear connection to a former Wodonga business.A square clock advertising the "Around 'D Clock Cleaning service. Battery powered with plastic frame and face.In Circle around face: AROUND 'D CLOCK CLEANING SERVICE" In Centre: CARPET CLEANING LOUNGE SUITES & GENERAL CLEANING LICENSED OPERATOR SCOTCHGUARD FABRIC & CARPET Protector PHONE 24 3344wodonga business, charles deguara, cleaning services wodonga

This certificate was awarded to the Wodonga Freightgate for achieving targeted safety standards as set down in the VLine program between July 1994 and June 1995This certificate recognises the safety standards achieved by workers at the Wodonga freight centre in Northeast Victoria.A framed certificate in recognition of the achievement of safety standards at Wodonga Freightgate.vline safety, wodonga railway, wodonga freightgate

non-fictionThis book outlines the issues and controversy around the construction of the Barren Jack (Burrinjuck) Water Supply Dam as part of the infrastructure of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Authority (M.I.A) and its subsequent abandonment. It has now fallen into disrepair,irrigation -- government policy, murrumbidgee irrigation area (n.s.w.) -- history, barren jack dam, burrinjuck, yass valley

non-fictionThis book tells the human story of the first decade of building the great Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, with adventures and anecdotes told by the workers themselves, and illustrated with unusual photographs. Appendices give further information about the project and list the workers named in Snowy records. The author began his 10 years with the Electrical and Mechanical Division at the age of 20. The construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme is a well-documented part of our nation’s history and a leading example of Australian innovation and ingenuity. As far back as the 1880s, Australians had been considering diverting water from some of Australia’s best-known rivers – the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Snowy and Tumut – to drought-proof parts of NSW and Victoria. It was not until 1944 that Commonwealth and State governments formed a committee to examine the development of water resources in the Snowy Mountains area. As a result of their work, on 7 July 1949, the Commonwealth Parliament passed legislation to establish a Statutory Authority and start construction of the Snowy Scheme. NSW. Construction was completed in 1974 at a total cost of $820 million. On completion, the Scheme consisted of seven power stations, 16 major dams, 80 kilometres of aqueducts and 145 kilometres of interconnected tunnels.snowy mountains hydro-electric scheme, hydroelectric power plants, snowy mountains

Stonleigh is one of Wodonga’s earliest buildings and stands on land granted to Daniel Rhodes in 1854, in one of the first land sales conducted in Wodonga. The building commenced soon after with the stone walls being 18 inches (46cm) thick. It was a four-room granite rubble stone building with central door and a window on either side, with a separate kitchen, as was typical of the worker's cottage of the day. The original roof would have been shingles but it was replaced with corrugated iron. It passed through several owners including Paul Huon in 1858. Peter Tenner, a farmer and vigneron took over in 1866 when it was described as “built of stone and having a cellar and a detached kitchen plus outside toilet, and a shed or two.” In the late 1880’s it was owned by William Smith who had come to Wodonga as a missionary for the Presbyterian Church and who, together with John Whan, storekeeper, was instrumental in building the Presbyterian Church nearby. Between 1890 and 1910 further buildings were added, consisting of double brick walls, two bedrooms, kitchen, laundry with brick and copper, bathroom and side verandah. William Smith established Wodonga Cordage Works in the Stonleigh buildings. The front room of the house was the display room for the business which manufactured and sold fishing lines, various types of cordage and water bags, the latter being of hand-sewn canvas. After 1954 Stonleigh became a bottle depot and bottle museum under ownership of Ramon Porta. At one stage he had over 50,000 bottles on display. In 1991 it was purchased by Mark Fraser, a cabinet maker, who made extensive renovations at the rear of the premises and internally, but left the façade untouched. Over recent times, Stonleigh was the home of several business including a florist, a patchwork maker and a café. Stonleigh was sold in 2021 and is now a private residence.These images capture one of Wodonga's oldest buildings.A series of photos, both colour and black and white, showing the building "Stonleigh' at different periodsstonleigh wodonga, old buildings wodonga, wodonga businesses, wodonga pioneers

Eric Holloway began spot milling timber at age of 17. He borrowed fifty pound from an uncle in 1934 to purchase a McCormick Deering tractor and saw bench. He went from farm to farm cutting timber for farmers. For a time, he worked on Shelley Station spot milling with WS Walker and Son. In approximately 1946 Arthur and Eric Holloway established a saw mill at Shelley. Another brother Ernie, a builder and returned soldier, worked with them from time to time. Using timber sawn in the mill he built eight basic houses for the mill workers. The brothers employed many migrants: - Yugoslav, Czechs, Russians, Ukrainians, Serbs as well as other hardworking people. This meant there were families, so Ernie also built and furnished a school at Shelley. Application was made for a teacher from the Education Department. At the Shelley mill the workers used ex-army blitzes, GM trucks (for carting logs) army ducks and a centurion tank for parts. The timber from the mill was trucked to Albury and Wodonga, customers being FA Stowe and Mates Timber. The army was also a big customer with Holloways supplying timber for the army huts that were built at Bandiana. A timber mill that had been built at Tallangatta by State Rivers and Water for the purpose of establishing New Tallangatta, was purchased by Holloway Brothers as an extension of their Shelley operation. In 1954 a new mill was built at Granite Flat on the Omeo Highway and the Shelley operation closed. Ernie Holloway was involved in the building of the mill and accommodation houses in Mitta Mitta. The mill workers travelled from Mitta to work each day. Holloways Building Supplies was established at 49 Tallangatta Rd Wodonga at this time. It was established on four house blocks with a little shed, with more land being acquired as the operation expanded. The brothers realized that it would be more profitable to set up their own timber outlet to supply their customers. Arthur Holloway continued to run the sawmills while Eric Holloway concentrated on the Wodonga business. A hardware store, offices and joinery were built as demand continued for building materials. All the timber arriving in the yard from the mill was hand sorted, providing employment for many. With the milling and timber outlets Holloways provided employment for approximately forty staff. The next generation of the Holloway family became involved. A Hyster forklift was purchased which allowed for bulk handling of the timber. Land was purchased in Sanyo Drive where timber was cleated and dried. Select grade timber, F17 dry framing, builders hardware and tools were sold. Holloways endeavoured to be a one stop shop for framing and fitting out of houses. In 1989 the business was sold to Mt Beauty Timbers who later on sold to Dahlsens. The timber mill was decommissioned. The Holloway family retained the ownership of the premises of 49 Thomas Mitchell Drive leasing to Dahlsens until that operation was moved to Albury in 2013. In 2014 the lease land was sold to two local businesses. Leigh Martin Marine purchased the parcel of land adjoining their business. Lester and Son purchased the remaining block and demolished the premises. A funeral parlour was built on that site.These photos are significant because they document the story of an important Wodonga business.A series of coloured photographs depicting aspects of Holloways Building Supplies business in Wodonga.holloways wodonga, wodonga businesses, timber industry

At the height of the river trade, there was a town surveyed and laid out, and streets were named. This town was to house the workers at the river port of Red Bank when the paddle steamers plied the Murray River as far as Albury, carrying produce such as wool and wheat to the various towns along the river in the 1800s. As the river trade died away, this town never went ahead – one might say, “The town that never was.” A lone gum tree stands on the site today.This item is significant because it documents plans which were made for the early development of Wodonga.A black an white map depicting the proposed location of the township. The map is based on a sketch and is not to scale,early wodonga, boorgunyah - "the town that never was", wodonga heritage

Sanyo was one of the international companies that set up business in Wodonga in the 1970s as part of the decentralisation of industry. The Sanyo Australia Pty. Ltd. factory in Wodonga was officially opened on 25 October 1974 with 35 staff and production peaked in 1976-1977 when it employed 360 people. In the first 10 years, 350,000 televisions were assembled from Japanese parts. The official plaque was uncovered by Victorian Premier Rupert Hamer. In October 1977 there were 79 workers retrenched, followed by 30 in November and 45 in February 1978. In 1978 workers staged a sit-in which lasted over a week, to protest multiple mass retrenchments of staff. The factory stayed open for almost another decade. In 1982 the General Manager of Sanyo was quoted as saying the productivity in the Wodonga factory was 10% higher than in Japan. However by 1984 the number of staff had reduced to 112 and the factory closed in 1987. The premises were taken over by Parker Hannifin and the administration building is now the home of 3D Lanes Bowling Alley. The street in which it is located is now called Sanyo Drive.These images are significant because they document and industry which employed many people in Wodonga in the 1970s and 1980s.A set of black and white photographs of the Sanyo Australia Pty Ltd premises in Wodonga.sanyo, sanyo-guthrie wodonga, decentralised industry wodonga

Mitta Junction which was established about 1920 on the Victorian side of the Hume Dam construction site (originally called the Mitta Junction Reservoir). The town was built to house workers and their families. It included houses, private and government boarding houses, a shop, hall and school as well as tennis courts and a cricket pitch. Mitta Junction was a thriving community with many activities, including Balls and Euchre Nights, held at the Hall which opened in February 1922. The community also fielded a very successful football team in the local competition. After the completion of the Dam, the village and all its contents were sold at auction in June 1936 for £7,000. Individual houses sold at about £40 for removal to nearby towns. The Mitta Junction School which opened in 1922 continued to operate with very small numbers after the village was moved. Its numbers were boosted in the early 1980s by the children of Army staff at the nearby Latchford Barracks Army Apprenticeship School. It finally closed in December 1985.These images are significant because they capture the history of an important vanished town whose residents played a vital role in the construction of the Hume Dam.A collection of black and white images and a sketch map featuring the village of Mitta Junction, built to house workers on the construction of the Hume Dam. Some of the photographs have been mounted on heavy card.mitta junction township, hume dam construction, hume dam history

Copy black and white photograph of railway level crossing on Nepean Highway Moorabbin before excavations for the below ground rail crossing. The level crossing gates are closed and five cars are waiting, while other cars can be seen coming in the opposite direction. A woman with a child in a pram is walking along the road, and a number of men, probably construction workers, are standing behind a barricade on the right hand side of the road. Gilbey's Gin distillery is visible in the background. TCopy black and white photograph of railway level crossing on Nepean Highway Moorabbin before excavations for the below ground rail crossing. The level crossing gates are closed and five cars are waiting, while other cars can be seen coming in the opposite direction. A woman with a child in a pram is walking along the road, and a number of men, probably construction workers, are standing behind a barricade on the right hand side of the road. Gilbey's Gin distillery is visible in the background. Handwritten in blue ink on reverse: 57-465C Handwritten in red ink on reverse: 71% A red circle has been drawn around all handwritten text.moorabbin, railway station, railway crossing, suburbs, cars, local production

CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, moved into a former RAAF factory in Highett in the post-war years. CSIRO closed down the Highett facility and sold it in 2011.Black and white photograph of workers at CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) complex in Highett. In this image, building materials are being tested. In the foreground is physicist Valerie Goullet, standing top centre is Dr Keith Martin both CSIRO Division of Building Research.Small white sticker adhered to reverse of image with printed black text: 206 Handwritten in red ink on reverse of image: 53%science, highett, workers, industry

CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, moved into a former RAAF factory in Highett in the post-war years. CSIRO closed down the Highett facility and sold it in 2011.Black and white photograph of workers at the CSIRO (Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation) facility in Highett.Small white circular sticker with black printed text: 205 Handwritten in red ink: 55%science, highett, workers, industry