Leslie William Cole was born in January 1920 in Albury, the first child of William James Cole and Gwendoline Fair. Les spent most of his childhood living with his grandparents in Bethanga, Victoria. In 1934 when he finished school, Les moved into Wodonga. His first job was at Mates Timber Yard. He later worked for Mylons of Wodonga driving taxis and buses. In 1939 after completing militia training, Les applied to enlist with the RAAF and eventually trained as an aircraft mechanic. He was posted to the 6th Squadron, serving in Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island before returning to the RAAF base in Sale, Victoria. On discharge. Les returned to Wodonga and resumed working with Mylons. After a range of jobs, Les and his wife Lorna operated a shop in Ariel Street, Wodonga. In the community, Les was a founding member of Wodonga Lions Club. He also joined the Civil Defence which was a predecessor off the SES. He became the Communications Officer and trained other members. Les became the first controller of the Wodonga Branch of the State Emergency Service, a position he held for 17 years. The new SES headquarters was named in his honor. In retirement he also worked as a volunteer community driver. Les was also named Wodonga Citizen of the Year in 1984 Les continued living in Wodonga until the age of 103 in 2023, when he moved to Melbourne to be closer to his children. This item represents Mr. Cole's service during World War 11.This item is significant as it represents the service of a respected Wodonga resident during World War 11.This item includes a cloth patch of the crest of the 6th Squadron RAAF as well as a printed menu from the Passing out dinner for fitters held at the Federal Hotel Melbourne. It has been autographed by the attendees acknowledged at this function.On the Insignia 6 SQUADRON ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE / NOUS REVIENDRONS (WE WILL RETURN) 6th squadron raaf, military service ww11

Leslie William Cole was born on 31 January 1920 in Albury, the first child of William James Cole and Gwendoline Fair. Les spent most of his childhood living with his grandparents in Bethanga, Victoria. In 1934 when he finished school, Les moved into Wodonga. His first job was at Mates Timber Yard. He later worked for Mylons of Wodonga driving taxis and buses. In 1939 after completing militia training, Les applied to enlist with the RAAF and eventually trained as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was posted to the 6th Squadron, serving in Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island before returning to the RAAF base in Sale, Victoria. On discharge. Les returned to Wodonga and resumed working with Mylons. After a range of jobs, Les and his wife Lorna operated a shop in Ariel Street, Wodonga. In the community, Les was a founding member of Wodonga Lions Club. He also joined the Civil Defence which was a predecessor off the SES. He became the Communications Officer and trained other members. Les became the first Controller of the Wodonga Branch of the State Emergency Service, a position he held for 17 years. The new SES headquarters was named in his honour. In retirement he also worked as a Volunteer Community Driver. Les was also named Wodonga Citizen of the Year in 1984. Les continued living in Wodonga until the age of 103 in 2023, when he moved to Melbourne to be closer to his children. He passed away on 12 December 2023. This torch was part of a collection of items donated to Wodonga Historical Society by Les Cole. The RSL emblem on this item was first introduced in 1990.A small tin containing an aluminium torch and 2 batteries in foam packing. The emblem of the Australian Returned Services League is etched on the lid. On side of torch: RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE AUSTRALIArsl australia, memorabilia

An A4 sized directory of 119 pages including an index and maps. The volume has black plastic spiral binding and laminate cover.This publication was been prepared to meet the need in the rural community for a "Rural Directory". Its primary purpose was to decrease the time taken by fire brigades and other services responding to emergency calls. It provides maps of the whole region as well as selected towns. It also includes a localities index, map legends and a road index.victorian country fire authority, fire protection regions, cfa region 24

Leslie William Cole was born on 31 January 1920 in Albury, the first child of William James Cole and Gwendoline Fair. Les spent most of his childhood living with his grandparents in Bethanga, Victoria. In 1934 when he finished school, Les moved into Wodonga. His first job was at Mates Timber Yard. He later worked for Mylons of Wodonga driving taxis and buses. In 1939 after completing militia training, Les applied to enlist with the RAAF and eventually trained as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was posted to the 6th Squadron, serving in Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Goodenough Island before returning to the RAAF base in Sale, Victoria. On discharge. Les returned to Wodonga and resumed working with Mylons. After a range of jobs, Les and his wife Lorna operated a shop in Ariel Street, Wodonga. In the community, Les was a founding member of Wodonga Lions Club. He also joined the Civil Defence which was a predecessor off the SES. He became the Communications Officer and trained other members. Les became the first Controller of the Wodonga Branch of the State Emergency Service, a position he held for 17 years. The new SES headquarters was named in his honour. In retirement he also worked as a Volunteer Community Driver. Les was also named Wodonga Citizen of the Year in 1984 Les continued living in Wodonga until the age of 103 in 2023, when he moved to Melbourne to be closer to his children. He passed away on 12 December 2023. The Lions Club of Wodonga was chartered in 1965 with 18 Founding Members including Les Cole. Lions Australia was first formed in Lismore, NSW in September and has grown to be Australia’s largest service club organisation.A small purple and gold fringed banner with the emblem of Wodonga Lions ClubAt the top centre: The logo of Lions International Across the centre of banner: Lions Club of Wodonga / District 201C Australia In semi-circle below Water Tower: Melbourne/ Falls Creek/Lake Hume/ Snowy Mountains/ Sydneyles cole, wodonga lions club, lions international

number in album 03599.01Black and white photograph Emergency Services Golf Day, four golfers ready to tee off, Ross Walker, Peter Jephcott, Graeme Connley, Brendan Ventry. Lakes Entrance Victoriagolf club, sports

see page 4 Lakes Post Newspaper 1 September 1993Black and white photograph of Terry Carstairs, Ron Robinson, Anthony Alexander, Fred Smittou and Rob Hair Ocean Rescue Squad members Lakes Entrance Victoria.community services, volunteering, emergency services

see Lakes Post Newspaper 30 June 1999Black and white photograph of Erin Strickland, David Hammerstrom, Phillip Baade, Fred Smittou, and President of Apex Tony Barnes at presentation of new wetsuits for the Ocean Rescue purchased with funds donated by Apex Club, Lakes Entrance Victoria.community services, volunteering, emergency services

see page 3, Lakes Post Newspaper 5 April 2000Colour photograph members Ocean Rescue Squad in inflatable vessel training in Cunningham Arm, David Hammerstrom skipper with team members. Lakes Entrance Victoria volunteering, emergency services, boats

Black and white photograph, Duncan Malcolm, Phillip Baade, and Pat McNamara, cutting ribbon ceremony for official launch, onboard new Ocean Rescue Squad vessel, Tyrell. Lakes Entrance Victoriacommunity services, volunteering, emergency services

Black and white photograph new Ocean Rescue vessel, Tyrell, hanging in slings from Whiters St Cranes, being maneovered into water. Lakes Entrance Victoriacommunity services, emergency services, boats

see Lakes Post Newspaper page 5, 7 February 1996Colour photograph of Ocean Rescue vessel, MS Tyrell, moored at jetty, Cunningham Arm and Lakes Entrance Surf Club in background. Lakes Entrance Victoriacommunity services, emergency services, boats

see Lakes Post Newspaper page 23, 8 December 1999Colour photograph taken during fund raising event, Traders Day, in aid of Ocean Rescue Squad, Brett Stokes jogging along beachfront, footbridge across Cunningham Arm in background. Lakes Entrance Victoria volunteering, emergency services, fundraising

see page 23, Lakes Post Newspaper 8 December 1999Colour photograph, Chris Fenner from the Ocean Rescue Squad receiving donation of $1000 from President of Business and Tourism Association, Adrian Lalor. Lakes Entrance Victoriacommunity services, volunteering, emergency services

Eight other photographs, various numbers of persons in each, posing with rope rescue reel, practicing first aid rescusitation, size 6 x 8.5Colour photograph taken on Traders Day, fund raising event for Ocean Rescue Squad, few people sitting on beach, Donna Knorr, others unknown. Lakes Entrance Victoria volunteering, emergency services, fundraising

Black and white photograph timber construction of Surf Lifesaving tower and equipment shed on sand dunes behind brush fence, flags strung from tower flagpole to fence. Lakes Entrance Victoriacommunity services, emergency services, beaches

(number in album 03367.2)Black and white photograph of members of Ambulance Auxiliary and Lioness Club, planting a tree to honour past member of both organisations, Mavis Lapham, with plaque in garden at Ambulance Station. Lakes Entrance Victoriaemergency services, community services

(number in album 03390.02)Black and white photograph Ocean Rescue Squad members, President Phillip Baade, presenting Ron Robinson with Life Membership medallion. Lakes Entrance Victoriacommunity services, volunteering, emergency services

Two small format black and white photographs of people from Surf Life Saving Club, posing for photograph on sand dunes. Two persons named, Tommy Todd and Jack Mitchelson. Lakes Entrance Victoriavolunteering, community services, emergency services

Date made 2 February 1998Colour photograph of Esplanade, showing the Caltex Service Station, Cunninghame Arm Nursery with Sallys Restaurant upstairs, cypress trees on verge between road and lake, Ocean Rescue headquarters on bank of lake with rescue vessel moored at jetty, glimpse of Eastern Wharf in background. Lakes Entrance Victoriatownship, waterfront, memorials, retail trade, emergency services