Franz Gördes (b.1843) who immigrated to Australia from Germany in 1871. After docking in Melbourne Franz headed for the goldfields at Spring Gully near Beechworth, but didn't strike gold. He returned to his trade and opened a boot shop in Wodonga, which burnt to the ground the day before the opening. Undeterred, he rebuilt and operated the business until his death on 8 June 1928. He was survived by his widow, Margaret as well as six sons and three daughters. Franz Gordes’ Boot & Shoe Warehouse was situated in Sydney Road, now High Street, Wodonga.This item has a well documented provenance and connection to the local history of Wodonga.A black and white photo which has also been digitised. Above shop: Cheap / Boot & Shoe Warehousebusinesses wodonga, franz gördes, geman migrants

In 1924, Arthur Arnold and his father Wilhelm Arnold had established a general store in High Street, near the water tower, but in 1931–32 they moved to new premises in High Street on the corner of what is now known as Elgin Boulevard. In 1933-34 they widened the frontage of the shop and added new premises at the rear for the sale of produce. The Arnolds continued to trade until they finally closed their store in 1950. Wilhelm Arnold was a brother of J G Arnold, whose business ultimately became the present-day Arnold’s Fruit Market, Wodonga.This is an image of an early Wodonga businessman who was also active in the communty.A black and white image of 2 children looking through the window of Arnold's store. A newspaper advertisement for the company is also included.Above Shop: A.ARNOLD & Co. / HARDWARE - GROCERY/ CROCKERY - PRODUCEwodonga businesses, a arnold general merchant

Costa’s Wine Cafe was once one of the best known landmarks in Wodonga. It was near the corner of High Street and Lawrence, across the road from where the water tower was later built. Mr. Bernardo Costa came to Australia from Switzerland, arriving in Sydney in 1857. In 1882 he moved to Wodonga and conducted his boot sale and repair business He applied for a Wine License in December 1886. In 1908 B Costa advertised that he had rebuilt his premises, which “affords the best and most comfortable accommodation to the travelling public”. For a while it was known as Wodonga Swiss Wine Café. After Bernardo’s death in 1915 the wine cafe and accommodation at the rear was run by his three daughters, Annie, Angela and Gertrude. In 1941 the Misses Costa sold their business and freehold to Mrs. J Adams who died just six years later. It was then run by her son Pat Adams, and after his demise his wife ran the business. Frank Walsh was running it as Walsh’s Wine Café by 1951. The Wine Café was closed in 1963 having been purchased by Woolworths and was demolished to build their new supermarket on the site.These images represent an early business in Wodonga . 2 black and white photos of the buildings of A. E. Costa, a brick building with signage.Photo 1: Above verandah: A.E. COSTA / Phone 70 COSTA's WINE Photo 2: Above verandah : WINE CAFEwodonga businesses, a. e. costa, wodonga pioneers, early wodonga businesses, wodonga businesses high street

The Wodonga Hotel was constructed in 1940 at a cost of £10,000. It is now called Elgins Hotel. It was established after the transfer of the licence from the Halfway Hotel. This was the result of a lengthy hearing before the Licensing Board over two days in December 1939, There was some opposition from established guest house keepers and hotelkeepers. G. A. Adams, owner of the Carriers’ Arms Hotel was refused a hearing as he was not a resident, so Rachael Spence his manageress objected on the ground that it would do her hotel a lot of harm. Mr Luke Murphy represented the applicants, Irene Weatherall and Lena Pickering. He stated that the new structure would be of brick, cement and iron and contain 22 rooms. The site was near the municipal sale yard and near the railway station, and, he pointed out the trucking industry, which he believed to be larger than any other in Victoria, outside of Melbourne. The hearing was told of the bad state of the Half Way Hotel, having been there for almost 100 years. Luke Murphy was quoted as saying “If Hovell were here he could give evidence on that.” The lack of accommodation and quality accommodation at Wodonga hotels was frequently heard of. Costa’s Wine Café had very excellent accommodation for but only five or six people. The lessee of the-tea rooms at the municipal saleyards, also gave evidence. Mrs Lowden said that on sale day she served up to 130 dinners in addition to 10 or 20 breakfasts, and almost continuous light lunches. She did not think a hotel would provide a needed facility for patrons of the saleyards. In April 1940 the application was granted on the condition that premises were erected within 42 weeks. The hotel was used for soldier accommodation during World War II and experienced a boom period when Wodonga saleyards were located across the road. Irene House behind the pub also was constructed in the 1970s when Albury-Wodonga had been identified as a National Growth Centre by the Whitlam Labor government. After running the hotel for 5 generations, the Weatherall Family sold the business in 2021.These images represent an early business in Wodonga . 2 photos of the Wodonga Hotel and 1 newspaper advertisementwodonga businesses, a. e. costa, wodonga pioneers, early wodonga businesses, wodonga businesses high street

EWART BROTHERS MENSWEAR In 1954 Clarrie and Jeff Ewart opened their business, Ewart Bros. Menswear in High Street, Wodonga. They united after having worked in separate menswear businesses following schooling at St Augustine’s in Wodonga. Clarrie had worked at Abikhairs and Jeff had his own business after working at Cann’s in Albury. Over more than 40 years in business Ewart Bros. operated from different premises, first in a rented premises at 192 High Street, then their own shop at 180 High Street in 1965. Their second site became known as the 'long shop' as it extended from High Street and through to the Coles supermarket car park. In 1962 they also opened a book shop at 192A High Street, advertising sales of books, stationery, cards and school book orders. Ewart Bros. was put up for auction in November 1995, with Clarrie and Jeff intending to retire. However the business was passed in at auction, so the business continued. On Friday 3rd April 1998 a clearance sale of all shop fittings was finally held, with Ewart Bros Menswear thanking the customers and friends who had supported them over the past 45 years. Jeff died on 5th April 1999 and Clarrie died on 20 May 2020.These items are significant because they represent an important and long serving business in the Wodonga community.A collection of photos and advertisements for Ewart Bros. Menswear in Wodongaewart bros. menswear, wodonga businesses, jsff and clarrie ewart

Stan and Mary Parker commenced the Plant Farm in Smythe Street Wodonga in February 1949. The nursery consisted of two blocks, on one of which their house was built. They started off with approximately £70 and a 1939 Singer mini-Ute. In the early days most customers came from the farming community. In late 1951 the Parkers purchased to a new site on the corner of High and Osburne Streets. Business went well and in 1957 they purchased the adjoining block. They later demolished the old house on the corner of High Street and Osburne Street, building a new home lower on the same block. As the nursery prospered Stan and Mary built a shop and showrooms with glassed-in portion for the indoor plants and a large shaded area for the display of shrubs. In 1978 they sold the nursery to Mr. & Mrs. John Gale. In 1981 the Wodonga Plant farm was purchased Geoff and Kay Pollard and they moved to its current location at the corner of Beechworth Road and Huon Creek Road. Initially they brought it as an investment but it soon got into their blood and chose to not only continue but expand the nursery and its offerings. This included a large showroom, a water shop which specialises in pool equipment, chemicals and water testing, a children's playground and an outdoor blind centre. Further expansions led to the addition of a Tuscan-style cafe on the site which has become a meeting place. The business was nominated the Yates Victorian Best Garden Centre in Australia for many years and won the award in 1997. In 2024, the Wodonga Plant Farm is still a vibrant and popular business being operated by the Pollard Family.These items are significant because they document the story of respected Wodonga Business which has served the community for over 60 years.A selection of photographs and article documenting the story of the Wodonga Plant Farmearly wodonga businesses, wodonga plant farm, pollard family, geoff and kay pollard

In the early 1900s a new Coffee Palace was erected on the first railway land to be leased for private business in Wodonga. This Coffee Palace (later to become Glenburnie Guest House) was situated in High Street opposite the former Customs House which at the time was being used as the Wodonga Police Station. It was built by Mr Denny Donovan and operated by his wife. An article in the Wodonga and Towong Sentinel declared that “No expense has been spared in the erection and fitting up of the Palace, which is intended to supply a long felt want”. The building consists entirely of brick and the rooms are lofty, spacious and well-ventilated. The bedsteads are modern, and will satisfy the most fastidious. The motto of the proprietress is “Cleanliness, civility and attention”. Mr Donovan died in January 1908 and in 1909 the Wodonga Coffee Palace was sold by Mrs Donovan to Mrs P. Egan who advertised hot and cold shower baths with meals at all hours. In 1913 the Wodonga Coffee Palace was taken over by Mrs Cuthbertson and Miss Steele. In 1921 Wodonga Coffee Palace was taken over by Julia Ronan who had successfully conducted the dining rooms at the Wodonga Saleyards for 15 years until those premises burned down. The Wodonga and Towong Sentinel on 10 January 1936 reported that “the business premises formerly conducted by Mrs Ronan have been renovated and refurbished. The new proprietresses are Misses Breen, who have had extensive experience in managing such businesses. The new premises will be known as the Glenburnie Guest House.” Changes of ownership continued with Mrs M.E. Elliot taking over in December 1940, followed by Mrs Stella Victoria Wong in 1945. In 1953 it was again taken over by Mrs E.M. Moran. The date of the closure of Glenburnie Guest House is uncertain but the building was demolished in the early 1970s.This image is significant because it is one of the few remaining links to an important Wodonga business.A photo taken from a newspaper article about Glenburnie Guest Houseglenburnie guest house, early wodonga businesses, coffee palaces

Harry Stead, Snr., owned and operated Wodonga’s first taxi service. He had horse drawn cabs running between Wodonga, and Albury in 1868. He also ran a carrying business with wagons and drays. Workmen from Albury and Wodonga were carried to the construction site of the Hume Weir. Drays, although slow, were used with room for 10 or 12 paying passengers, at times. Stead’s paddocks ran back from Sydney Street (now High Street) with stable accommodation for his 70 and more horses. The Provincial Motel occupied part of the site in later years. Harry’s son, “young Harry” joined his Dad around 1892 as soon as his schooldays were over. After the horse drawn cabs, the Steads began a motorised taxi, hire car and bus services. Some of the taxis used were an A-Model Ford, 1934 Ford, Ford V8, Dodge Tourer, Hudson Six and, earlier, the 1923 Buick with dicky seat. Among the drivers were Stan Hogbin, Gerry Gerrard, Jack O’Neill, “Peggy” O’Neill, Ernie “Honey” Zeinert, Cliff Williams and Les Cole. Young Harry had four cars on the rank from 1930 to 1940 when competition for fares was fierce. He had his regulars who paid 4/- a week to go to and from Albury daily. In 1934, Harry was before the Albury Police Court, charged with having driven his taxi on a public road without a taxi licence. The Albury Municipal Council required all taxi drivers to have a NSW certificate of registration before collecting fares in NSW. The case was held as a test case and as a result the regulation was amended to enable the Council to issue public vehicle licenses to a Victorian registered vehicle as long it travelled no more than 10 miles over the border.These images are significant because they document an early transport service provided to the Wodonga community.Three black and white photos depicting Harry Stead and his Wodonga Taxi Service.harry stead wodonga, transport wodonga, wodonga services

Sister Hughes’ Private Hospital on the corner of High and Stanley Streets, Wodonga operated between 1922 and 1938. The building was constructed as a family home for Albert Schlink, a storekeeper in 1909. The building was first used as a private hospital in 1919 starting with Nurse Eliza Browne. It had six or seven rooms, one of which was an operating theatre. There was a walkway, then three bedrooms and a bathroom that belonged to the hospital all in the one area. A small building at the back served as a self-contained flat. Catherine Josephine Hughes' sister Mabel earlier married into the Schlink family and came from Bendigo to take over the Lease on the hospital in 1922. Apart from Sister Hughes, there were Nurses Poyntz and Costello. Three domestic staff were also employed – a cleaner Elsie Enever, the cook Mrs Baker and Mrs Kimball who did the laundry. Nurses Poyntz and Costello took charge of the hospital in 1938 and Catherine Hughes continued to be listed as a nurse on the electoral roll until 1954. In the early 1940s she conducted a business in the “lolly shop” in High Street, south of St Augustine’s Church. The Private Hospital in High Street possibly closed in 1954 with the opening of the Wodonga Hospital in Vermont Street. The images are significant because they represent a building and nurses who served an important role in the Wodonga community in the early 20th century.A set of black and white photos of Sister Hughes Hospital in Wodonga and some of the staff. The architect's plans of the original house, designed for Albert Schlink are included.sister hughes wodonga, hospitals wodonga

Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. Elaine Mann was married to David Mann, a successful Wodonga businessman and community leader who passed away in Wodonga in June 2012. David was a member of the Mann family who began their business in Wodonga in 1920. Elaine was a teacher in Wodonga for many years.This photo collection is significant as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the 20th century.THE WATER TOWER is a major landmark of High Street, Wodonga. It began operation from January 1924 until it ceased operation in 1959. It stood unused for a decade until the lower section was modified and put to use as “ The Tower’s Cobbler’s Inn” in 1962. In 1972 Wodonga City Council proposed to demolish the Tower. Their suggestion received an unfavorable response from the city’s citizens, so the Tower still stands today. This image shows High Street and Hovell Street looking to the north The Civic Centre Theatre is on the right in Hovell Street. On the left in High Street is Tower Place on left. On the far left Repco which by 1998 became a Chinese restaurant and remains so in 2021.wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, water tower, hovell street wodonga, high street wodonga

Higginson's menswear store was located in High Street Wodonga. Mr. Higginson first worked as a grocery boy at Farmer and Sons in Wodonga. He later moved to Rudines in Dean Street, Albury. He worked at this store, which sold clothing for both men and women for several years until he joined the army in 1942. After the war, he went back to school for a while, but then returned to Rudines. This was followed by 2 years at Stiff and Gannon's in Wodonga. He set about saving to have his own business, spending 5 years as manager at Trim's in Albury. Lionel Higginson met his future wife, Dulcie, at a social dance a few years after returning from the war at a social dance. They both worked in menswear and were engaged 6 months later and started building their dream. This included building their own business. The business, L. A. Higginson's Menswear opened on 10 October 1958 and around 12 months later added a women's clothing line, Dee Gals. This became so popular that in 1995 Dee Gals moved in to its own shop in the arcade. When Lionel passed away in 1999, his eldest daughter Pauline, who supported the business from the time she was 15, helped her mother progress the business. At this stage managing 2 stores was very demanding so Dee Gals was closed. In 2000, Dulcie's daughter Michelle Williams and husband Phil took over the business. Due to changing shopping approaches and demands of online shopping, the business closed on June 2023 after 65 years serving the community.A coloured image of Higginson's Menswear in Wodonga.Above Shop : L. A. Higginson's Menswear / Dee Gals Lingerie Hosietyhigginson's wodonga, wodonga businesses, l. a. higginson wodonga