Was attached to a wall near reception but was removed to storage in approx.. 2000 - 2002. The bell has strong associations with the Victorian Railways Era reflecting the service and ethos of Railways with its uniformed Porters welcoming and on duty as Night Porter and day for all guests needs. (Especially lost keys) assistance with luggage, room service and co-ordinating transit and transport with Railways buses and services. A personal recollection is of Joseph the Night Porter welcoming and assisting when as a family with four sleeping children we would arrive after midnight to the Chalet where rooms would be ready, beds turned down and all unpacking of the car supervised by Joseph. (J. Skeggs) "A number of specific items, which have been useful in the day to day operations of the Chalet, remain in the building with each complementing the other to provide context ,meaning and character to their setting. Items such as the hall porter bell, the many signs providing information to the guests, the wall clock, barometer and dinner bell point to the Chalet being a well-run social institution with a pleasant environment for rest, recreation and congenial company." (Pg 81 Historica, MBCC) Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items A.3 Fixtures and Fitttings. (Pg 165. Historica MBCC)Circular brass disc with inner (separate ) maroon button mounted in raised circular disc. Hall Porter is embossed with black colouring around half of outer, larger disc."HALL PORTER"

Enamel ski badge, awarded for participation in the Chalet Ski School, operated by Bill Marriot. This badge style was from the 60's-70's. 'Souvenirs in relation to the Chalet and Mount Buffalo were first mentioned in December 1912... A large range of souvenirs has since been associated with the Chalet and Mount Buffalo from crafted wooden items, silver spoons, cups etc... The collection includes a broad selection of products that have been sold throughout much of the Chalet's history, each representative of the transient fashions of their period.' (Pg 114. Historica) Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Souvenirs. (Pg 168. Historica).Small rectangular brass badge pointed at lower edge. Depicts a skier with "Ski school Mt Buffalo" underneath image. White background, blue skier, red and blue behind lettering. Enamelled pin clasp on back. [.2] same but different colourway."SKI / SCHOOL / MOUNT BUFFALO" ON BACK "R.C. LUKE" (or Loke)

Plans were corrected to 1st July 1947Square shaped original plan of the Mt Buffalo Chalet. paper is attached to cloth backing. Floor plan shows layout of main floor and first floor.Handwritten text on back of plans describes "hours of staff" and "hours of guests...."

Original Victorian Railways teapot, part of the silver service at Mt Buffalo Chalet. Part of Victorian Railways silver service. When the Victorian railways took over management of the Chalet from 1 October 1924, they ran their dining room and café in similar fashion to the dining cars on their trains and refreshment rooms on their stations, using the same ceramic hotel-ware and electro plated nickel silverware (EPNS), all made to order items that are clearly identified by the distinctive 'VR' monogram. The Chalet retains a good selection of the diverse range of EPNS item formerly used in the dining room..- which in all their variety and function help to interpret the dining room protocols of the 'tourist house' and the service provided by the Victorian Railways refreshment and Services Branch. Many of the items were manufactured by Stoke & Sons of Melbourne (est. 1856.)' (Pg. 103. Historica) Possibly once graced the chrome display cabinet.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Tableware. (Pg 166 Historica).Large electroplated teapot with "VR" engraved on one side. Handle features holes at base either end of join. Lid features a circular knob and scroll handle at front with a wooden insert. Teapot has flat wide circular base."EPNSSRS / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / STOKES & SONS / MELBOURNE / BOOMERANG PLATE / WARRANTED / HARD SOLDERED / 745 / VICTORIAN RAILWAYS"

Part of the Victorian Railways silver service. When the Victorian railways took over management of the Chalet from 1 October 1924, they ran their dining room and cafe in similar fashion to the dining cars on their trains and refreshment rooms on their stations, using the same ceramic hotel-ware and electro plated nickel silverware (EPNS), all made to order items that are clearly idenitified by the distinctive 'VR' monogram. The Chalet retains a good selection of of the diverse range of EPNS items formerly used in the dining room..- which in all their variety and function help to interpret the dining room protocols of the 'tourist house' and the service provided by the Victorian Railways refreshment and Services Branch. Many of the items were manufactured by Stoke & Sons of Melbourne (est. 1856.)' (Pg 103. Historica) Possibly once graced the chrome display cabinet.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Tableware. (Pg 166 Historica).Small ice bucket. Electroplated silver on nickel. Has a handle to carry and wide pedestal base."VR" insiginia engraved on front of bucket.Crown with scroll underneath with "Victorian Railways" Under that,"WHITE - THROUGH / E.P \ A1\ N.S"

Part of Victorian Railways crockery. 'When the Victorian railways took over management of the Chalet from 1 october 1924, they ran their dining room and cafe in similar fashion to the dining cars on their trains and refreshment rooms on their stations, using the same ceramic hotel-ware and electro plated nickel silverware (EPNS), all made to order items that are clearly idenitified by the distinctive 'VR' monogram. . ..The Chalet Collecton also incudes items of ceramic stoneware... and these too interpret the function and role of the dining room. The ceramic items items were generally manufactured by 'Grindley' or 'Grafton'... Ceramic ware used at the Chalet from the 1920's to the 1950's had a black VR monogram or badge and was the same crockery used in th VR dining and buffet cars. Crockery used in the VR refreshment rooms had a red monogram." (Pg 104. Historica)' Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Tableware. (Pg 166 Historica).Small coffee cup with Victorian Railways in scroll design with a crown motif above scroll. White china with black transfer design. Mark and inscription on base. Handle is broken, cup cracked. Cup possibly broken during removal to Bright in 2005. also two teacups of the same design and inscription. Both have handles but both are cracked.-On base,"DURALINE / SUPER /VITRIFIED / GRINDLEY / HOTEL WARE Co / ENGLAND / 3-41 " On front of cup,"VICTORIAN RAILWAYS"

'Souvenirs in relation to the Chalet and Mount Buffalo were first mentioned in December 1912... A large range of souvenirs has since been associated with the Chalet and Mount Buffalo from crafted wooden items, silver spoons, cups etc... The collection includes a broad selection of products that have been sold throughout much of the Chalet's history, each representative of the transient fashions of their period.' (Pg 114. Historica)Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Souvenirs. (Pg 168. Historica).Cream polyester, cotton knit tee shirt with a printed photographic image of the chalet on the front. "Mt Buffalo Vic" is printed above the image. There are blue and green diagonal stripes above and below the image. Short sleeves.On front of label:"AN / AUSTRALIAN / WILDLIFE / GARMENT / 85% POLYESTER / 35% COTTON / 14 HEIGHT 160CM " On back of label:"MADE IN AUSTRALIA / WARM HAND WASH / DO NOT BLEACH / WARM IRON" On front of shirt:" MT BUFFALO VIC" & "C N C Y"

Information booklet for distribution, collected by Roger Jones. "The Mount Buffalo plateau has been attracting scientific investigation into its unique plants, insects and animals from at least the 1850's. "(Pg. 131. Historica) "In 1924, amateur naturalist and mountain guide, Alice Manfield (1878-1960) popularly known as Guide Alice , released The Lyre-birds of Mount Buffalo, a 23 page booklet detailing her studies into the lyre-birds on Mount Buffalo, the first pictorial record of lyre-birds to be published. It features Mansfield's photography and includes an introduction by Charles Barrett (1879-1959), an Australian naturalist, journalist, author and foundation member of the Ornithologists Union." (Pg. 132) There are very few known copies of this booklet.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Natural History. (Pg 169. Historica)..1 Smooth olive book cover with stick-on photograph of a male lyre-bird. Framed within a border, ink blotches on right-side of booklet. 16 page booklet A 5 size, illustrations on left side pages, stick-on photographs on right pages except for introduction with illustration on right. Thick rough printed paper. •.2 Same as above with slight ink marks on top right, slight tear on right of image. .1 "The Lyre-Birds of Mt Buffalo" Photographs and notes by 'Guide Alice', Introduction by Charles Barrett CM2s Publisher: Robertson and Mullens Ltd....." •.2 Same as .1.

Used in the Mt Buffalo Chalet dining room in 1940.Printed cardboard menu. Front cover has a decorative edge of holy in green and red."Dinner / Christmas Day / December 25, 1940 / MENU / The Chalet / Mt Buffalo / National Park / Victoria / Australia"

'Over the years the VR Advertising Division published a number of booklets promoting Mount Buffalo's sports and restorative powers of its scenery in summer and winter...The collection (MBCC) comprises a good range of tourist writing published as promotional booklets, guidebooks, brochures, walking trails, maps and newspaper articles.' (Pg. 119. Historica) This Victorian Railways monthly publication and also the VR Newsletter, published by the Victorian Railways Printing Works in North Melbourne, is one of a number which featured iconic photos of the Chalet of the plateau on its cover, as an identifiable flagship for The Victorian Railways and it's employees from the Railways Refreshment and Services Branch. These publications also have stories regarding upgrades and on long serving staff of the Chalet.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Promotional material.. (Pg 168. Historica).Railways magazine featuring an image of the chalet on the front cover and an article about the Chalet.Yes

Published by the Victorian Railways around 1929. "Over the years the VR Advertising Division published a number of booklets promoting Mount Buffalos winter sports and the restorative powers of its scenery in summer and winter." (Pg 119. Historica) This booklet provides a brief history of the Chalet and features excerpt from a speech by Dr Wilkinson. The beautiful graphic illustrates a tale of the Manfield brothers communicating nightly by fires to family in the valley. The artist is possibly James Northfield or Percy Trompf, whose lithographic posters and promotional material for the Railways were iconic of the time and promoting tourism in Australia was an important National enterprise. Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Promotional material.. (Pg 168. Historica)."The Romance of Mt Buffalo" a brief history of the chalet from an address given by Dr. J.F. Wilkininson in Feb 1929. The booklet has a coloured cover depicting the Gorge at night with a man standing with two camp fires. x 2.Yes

H.C.E. Stewart , who first visited the plateau in 1919, produced the booklet, Flower and Feather, the Chalet has two copies. Published in the 1950's by the Victorian Railways Public Relations and Betterment Board, it is still an accepted guide on the the mountain bird's annd plants." (pg 132. Historica) The writer first visited Mt Buffalo in 1919 - & then after the war he decided to show all the unique flowers of Mt Buffalo through this book.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Natural History. (Pg 169. Historica).2 x Yellow & white books with an eastern Rosella and a red & white flower on it. 21 pages of text & photos. Front page has a picture of an Eastern Rosella and flower, the Melbourne Bay. (.2 has holes punched in it.Yes

Photograph of the "Staff Race at the Guests Sports Meeting" at Lake Catani on the 30-12-36. The photo shows 9 women getting ready to run. They are named on the back, Hilda Gawkins, Melva Weston, Mavis Douge, Ella Colelef, Lelia Willis, Jess Sloane, Alice Bell, May Ross."Staff Race at the Guests Sports Meeting" at Lake Catani on the 30-12-36. Hilda Gawkins, Melva Weston, Mavis Douge, Ella Colelef, Lelia Willis, Jess Sloane, Alice Bell, May Ross.

Postcard of the front of Mt Buffalo Chalet, coloured , no handwriting on the back. Donated by a former guest."THE CHALET MT. BUFFALO, VICTORIA / POST CARD"

This photo is of the carpenter who built the stairs at the chalet and his family at their camp on Mt Buffalo.A photographic print of a camp with a tent on Mt Buffalo, with two women, one man and a baby.Yes, see second image for reserve of photograph.

Found in an opportunity shop in Melbourne and purchased by the donor. 'Souvenirs in relation to the Chalet and Mount Buffalo were first mentioned in December 1912... A large range of souvenirs has since been associated with the Chalet and Mount Buffalo from crafted wooden items, silver spoons, cups etc... The collection includes a broad selection of products that have been sold throughout much of the Chalet's history, each representative of the transient fashions of their period.' (Pg 114. Historica) Tatra Inn was built in 1964, after an Act was passed in 1960 to allow private development leases in national Parks. The lease was terminated in 1975 and Tatra was taken over by the Government. Tatra was renamed the Lodge throughout the Belles 10 years management, from 1993.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Souvenirs. (Pg 168. Historica).A pair of ceramic mugs / goblets. The foot is black and the top of these mugs is sandy coloured with a black buffalo and a black inscription on reverse sideTATRA INN CRESTA MOUNT BUFFALO

"The collection of ephemera builds on the Chalet's holding of archival material with a range of interesting, original items. Dinner menus., stationery., luggage labels, tickets, dockets and plans help to interpret the structured routine and social conventions of the Chalet that held sway for so many years." (pg 127 MBCC) Probably printed by Rayner QuickprintListed in Draft inventory of significant collection items. Appendix A.3. Ephemera. (pg 169). The tickets are made of yellow paper; on the front page it says "Mt. Buffalo Ski School Class Lesson"; there are 3 empty squares in order to say if it is for an adult, child or other; the information on the right side of the ticket is for the customer, the left part of the ticket is for the seller with just the information adult, child or other; on the right side there is a ticket number, there are 449 tickets in this book;On the reverse of the ticket there is a "disclaimer of liability"; signed by Mt. Buffalo Ski School, Cresta, Mt. Buffalo

Black and white photograph, 5 waitresses and a man standing in the snow on the top of the roof.8619 written on the reverse of the photo

'A range of first aid supplies, including older types of stretchers and syringes emphasise the importance given over the years to emergency equipment and to the need for remedial items such as bedpans and invalid cups.' (Pg. 110. Historica) For many years whilst under Railways Management the First Aid Room was opposite the stairs leading down to the Café, on the left hand side leading up to the Dining Room. Here skiing and recreational injuries were attended to.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Staff Equipment. (Pg 167 Historica).Syringes: from .01 till ..04 they have a scale ,they are made with Glass, .01 5ml .02 1ml, .03 20ml, .04 22ml, .05 are made with metal..01 British made 200`C, Everett .02 Gima .03 JJEFF, record british make original .04 original record .05 W.G.LTD Sydney

'Souvenirs in relation to the Chalet and Mount Buffalo were first mentioned in December 1912... A large range of souvenirs has since been associated with the Chalet and Mount Buffalo from crafted wooden items, silver spoons, cups etc... The collection includes a broad selection of products that have been sold throughout much of the Chalet's history, each representative of the transient fashions of their period.' (Pg 114. Historica) Manufactured as a souviner of MtBuffalo. Intended to be used, sewn onto a jacket sleeve. Purchased from an opportunity shop and donated.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Souvenirs. (Pg 168. Historica).White cotton badge in a shield shape. Has blue machine embriodery around edge and sewn in the centre to represent a snowflake. "MT.BUFFALO" is embriodered in red across the top."MT.BUFFALO"

The jug and cup were purchased from a second - hand shop in Bairnsdale. Jug is older than cup as the chalet is represented as a single storey structure. The cup is later as the second storey appears in the illustration. 'Souvenirs in relation to the Chalet and Mount Buffalo wee first mention in December 1912... A large range of souvenirs has since been associated with the Chalet and Mount Buffalo from crafted wooden items, silver spoons, cups etc... The collection includes a broad selection of products that have been sold throughout much of the Chalet's history, each representative of the transient fashions of their period.' (Pg. 114. Historica) 'A group of tableware items is notable for its black transfer printed decoration, which features the Chalet building. Interestingly, the printed designs represent the Chalet at two different stages in its building history under the Victorian Railways, in 1926 after completion of the north wing, and 1937-39, after the second storey is added to the front.. manufactured in England by A.B. Jones and sons, a Stoke on Trent pottery firm which operated under the trade name of Grafton China between 1900-1972.' (Pg. 114. Historica)Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Souvenirs. (Pg 168. Historica)..1] Ceramic jug. Souvenir of Mt Buffalo. White ceramic squat milk jug with a black transfer illustration/drawing on front side. Picture is of the MtBuffalo Chalet from the front. Some worn gold glaze detail. It appears to be a single story building with a planted garden at the front with a fence. Trees to one side and people walking up steps. "THE CHALET, MT BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK, VICTORIA." is written under the illustration. Jug has a faint crack. .2] White ceramic cup with gold edging around top of cup. Black transfer drawing of the chalet with a second storey. Rocks and tree in foreground and "THE CHALET. MT BUFFALO." underneath transfer. .1] "THE CHALET, MT BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK, VICTORIA." is written under the illustration. On the base of the jug, with sun motif, "ENGLAND / GRAFTON CHINA /A / B J / & SONS / LOFTUS MORA / PTY. LTD" .2] "THE CHALET. MT BUFFALO." underneath transfer. Under cup, "A.B.J. / GRAFTON / CHINA / MADE IN / ENGLAND"

Was located in the stables at Mount Buffalo Chalet. It was used to record the names of horses that were ridden by Chalet guests when they were holidaying at the Chalet. 'Admiring the rugged beauty of the Buffalo Plateau and exploring its scenic attractions ...quickly became part of the Mount Buffalo Chalet tourist experience...The Chalet facilitated the experience by hosting guided tours, including trail rides on horseback...the horses remained at the Chalet for decades, and have been remembered with great affection, as demonstrated by the honour roll for Chalet horses and various commemorative plaques.' (Pg 98. Historica) Many of these horses are still remmbered by former guest of the Chalet. Granite and Punka were legendary and plaques in their honor are mounted on the large granite boulders in the stableyards.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3, Snow sports equipment and other recreational items. (Pg 166 Historica).Wooden plaque with names painted onto strips of leather fixed to a board. The board is made of two sections of wood and is arched at the top and squared at the base. The piece at the top that appears to be earlier and has gold painted inscriptions with decorative scrolling around the edge. The board has leather strapping around the edge and two stirrups threaded onto leather at the base. The upper section of the board has all the names painted onto leather strips. The lower section of the board has some names painted onto strips but also some names are scratched directly onto the wood.At top of plaque, "ROLL OF HONOUR /TO / OUR FRIENDS - / THE CHALET HORSES, / WHO GAVE US MANY HAPPY HOURS / BUT WHO HAVE SINCE MOVED / "DOWN THE HILL". FROM THE / TIME OF "PUNKA" / WHO SERVED / FAITHFULLY FOR 20 YEARS" Underneat this are the names of the individual horses starting with , "PUNKA....."

Sold as a souvenir of Mt Buffalo. 'Souvenirs in relation to the Chalet and Mount Buffalo were first mention in December 1912... A large range of souvenirs has since been associated with the Chalet and Mount Buffalo from crafted wooden items, silver spoons, cups etc... The collection includes a broad selection of products that have been sold throughout much of the Chalet's history, each representative of the transient fashions of their period.' (Pg. 114. Historica) "Souvenirs in relation to the chalet were perhaps first mentioned in December 1912, when enterprising locals, Mr J Pass of Porepunkah and Mr C Walker asked for permission to use timber on the mountain for making ornamental souvenirs . The government was agreeable to the ide and soon afterwards PWD chief architect George Austin went to Mount buffalo to make arrangements for supply of the timber, They proposed to make wooden egg cups, small boxes and photograph frames to sell to tourists, small items that' will serve as an advertising medium of the famous mount'" (Pg. 113.Historica) ' Fig 123. Bookends MBC0319,serviette rings MBC0217.2,eggcup MBC0218 and ashtray MBC0205 made of mulga, a wood from particular types of wattle tree that grow in arid climates. Souvenirs crafted from mulga became popular in the post WW2 years' (Pg 117. Historica) Purchased in a second hand shop and donated to MBC. Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Souvenirs. (Pg 168. Historica).Two matching mulga wood book ends. They form a sphere when placed together. Hand painted motif and inscription on each. Painting of a skier dressed in colourful clothing on each and "From Mt Buffalo" painted at the base. "From Mt Buffalo"

The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains. After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet. In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience. In 2012 the Men's Winner was Alexander Legkov from Russia in a time of 1:23:00. The winner of the Women's event was Maria Graefnings of Sweden in a time of 1:33:14. The planned course was modified and shortened due to the predicted high winds and poor visibility. The 42km Hoppet course was shortened to 30km.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A poster featuring a skier dressed in blue and red with trees in the background. Stylised snowflakes are on either side. The page border is red. Logos of AGL, Falls Creek All Season Alpine Resort, Alpine Shire, Tourism Victoria, Parks Victoria and the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club are across the bottom of the poster.At the top right hand corner within a circle: Australia's PREMIER X-COUNTRY SKI RACE 22 Beneath the image KANGAROO HOPPET 25th August 2012 FALLS CREEK VICTORIA AUSTRALIA / 42KM 21KM 7KM / www.hoppet.com.au kangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

This item is from a collection donated by descendants of John Francis Turner of Wodonga. Mr. Turner was born on 6 June 1885. He completed all of his schooling at Scotts Boarding School in Albury, New South Wales. On leaving school, he was employed at Dalgety’s, Albury as an auctioneer. In 1924 John was promoted to Manager of the Wodonga Branch of Dalgety’s. On 15/03/1900 he married Beatrice Neal (born 7/12/1887 and died 7/2/1953) from Collingwood, Victoria. They had 4 daughters – Francis (Nancy), Heather, Jessie and Mary. In 1920, the family moved From Albury to Wodonga, purchasing their family home “Locherbie” at 169 High Street, Wodonga. "Locherbie" still stands in Wodonga in 2022. The collection contains items used by the Turner family during their life in Wodonga. Japanese pottery and ceramics had varying basemarks, particularly those designed for export. Some restrictions were due to requirements imposed by other countries after WW2. This Japanese type of china was advertised in the 1920's and 1930's. During the years of the American occupation of Japan (1945-1952), all exports from Japan were marked "Made in Occupied Japan" and after the occupation simply "Japan". This information helps to establish the provenance of items such as this toast rack.This item is representative of ceramic domestic items used in Australian homes in the 1920s and 1930s.A ceramic rectangular toast rack decorated with a cherry design. Each end is shaped as a shallow bowl and there are 3 upright dividers to support slices of toast. The cherry design is hand painted and then glazed. The bottom centre is stamped with MARUHON WARE, HAND PAINTED, JAPAN around a K in a circle.Underneath "Maruhon Ware/ K in circle/ HANDPAINTED/ JAPAN"domestic items, japanese pottery

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community. Shelley Railway Station - Shelley was once Victoria's highest railway station, located 781 metres above sea level. The Shelley Railway Station was opened in 1916 and closed in 1979. The railway was used early in its life to transport farmer’s livestock from the Upper Murray to Wodonga. From the 1950s the railway was used heavily to transport equipment and machinery from Wodonga to the Upper Murray to help build the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. The Snowy Hydro Scheme was completed in 1974 and after several years of low level use, the railway was closed. Some remnants of the Shelley Station passenger platform can still be seen today, along with some information boards. The Shelley Railway Station now forms part of the High Country Rail Trail.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Left to Right: Fireman Bert Cadman, Driver Wally Riley, Guard Hugh Fraser. Locomotive S300 - the ‘Matthew Flinders’ The S class diesel locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering in 1957 for the Victorian Railways. Designed as premier express passenger diesels, they assumed the ‘S class’ title from a fleet of steam locomotives. They were also given names of famous Australians. The S300 took the name ‘Matthew Flinders’. In 1962, S300 was converted from the Victorian broad gauge of 5’3” to the New South Wales gauge of 4’8.5”, in order to operate the new Southern Aurora between Sydney & Melbourne. As the locomotive grew older it was removed from these duties and was sold to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA) in 2004. It is now owned by a private owner and is on loan to the Canberra Railway Museum.railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, s class locomotive

non-fictionThe spectacular mountain railway from Wodonga to Cudgewa in north eastern Victoria was one of Australia's truly fascinating branch lines, and the most challenging to operate on the Victorian Railways. It was a railway of scenic splendour, famous for its towering wooden bridges, notoriously steep grades, Hereford cattle and K class steam locomotives. This lavishly illustrated publication includes over 100 colour and B&W photographs, and tells the story of the railway through the memories of Cudgewa railway enginemen, station masters, bridge gangers,railroads victoria, railways cudgewa, railways wodonga, railways high country

non-fictionThe book covers the branch line that ran eastward from Wodonga past Lake Hume and on to Tallangatta, over the highest point on Victorian Railways at Shelley and terminated at Cudgewa. A photographic profilelocomotives -- victoria -- history, cudgewa train, victoria railways, high country trains

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community. Cudgewa Line -The Cudgewa railway line opened in stages between 1889 and 1921. The first section from Wodonga to Huon opened on 10 September 1889. It was extended to Bolga on 18 July 1890, Tallangatta on 24 July 1891, Shelley on 13 June 1916 (the highest station in Victoria), Beetomba on 10 April 1919 and Cudgewa on 5 May 1921. In 1919, the line was used to carry materials for the construction of Hume Weir, and three years later a spur line connecting Ebden to the weir was opened. In the 1960s, Cudgewa became the railhead of materials for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The last passenger service from Wodonga to Tallangatta ran on 30 September 1961 The turntable and passenger platform at Cudgewa were abolished in 1976.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.What remains of the Cudgewa Railway Station taken in January 1989. A disused shed in a paddock is all that remains of a once busy station.railways wodonga, fred rochow, cudgewa station, high country railway line