A metal camp oven with handle. wodonga, camp oven, camp, camping, outdoor, cooking, rural

This wood was cut from a 6000 year old Murray River red gum retrieved from the Wodonga gravel pits on the flood plain. The Museum of Victoria displayed this wood in the base on which Phar Lap stands. It was made by Kevin Barton of the Kiewa Valley to the order of Dr. James Bowler, the geologist who dated the ancient gravel pit red gums. This specimen is historically significant and unique in local, national, and international context. It is unique, of scientific and research value, and exceptionally rare due to its age. 6000 year old wood from a Murray River red gum. geology, geological, murray river, red gym, murray river red gum, kiewa, wodonga, history

A wide range of small china pieces carrying scenic views of holiday destinations or key locations were a popular kind of souvenir during much of the 20th century. Several different pieces were used to depict Wodonga during this period, primarily focusing on the Woodland Grove and the Soldier Memorial. A wide range of souvenirs have been produced to commemorate Wodonga and its landmarks over time. These items document key changes in Wodonga and its heritage. The producers mark on the plate was used by the company Victoria China Czechoslovakia between 1919 and 1938.Small china pieces carrying scenic views of holiday destinations were a popular kind of souvenir during much of the 20th century. These items have local and social significance as they reflect the landmarks or local features valued by the community over time.China Plate, Oblong in shape decorated with flowers and an image of the Soldiers' Memorial in Wodonga in the centre. Makers mark of Victoria China Czechoslovakia which was used from 1918 to1939."SOLDIERS MEMORIAL WODONGA"souvenir, soldiers memorial, wodonga victoria, victoria china, memorabilia

Kenneth Malcolm Mortimer was born in Leneva, Wodonga, Victoria on 9 October 1895. He attended school in Wangaratta before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1913. Along with the rest of his class, he graduated in June 1915. Mortimer was appointed as a Lieutenant with the 29th Battalion on 1 July 1915. He embarked with Headquarters Staff, 29th Battalion, from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ascanuis (A11) on 10 November 1915. Whilst training in Egypt in February 1916, he was promoted to Captain. He was in command of a company of the 29th Battalion at Fromelles, Armentieres, France in July 1916. and was reported missing, presumed killed in action on 20 July 1916, aged 20 years. Mortimer’s remains were buried along with those of hundreds of others in a mass grave near Pheasant Wood, close to the battlefield. This mass grave was rediscovered in 2008. After extensive research and DNA testing, the remains of Captain Mortimer were finally identified in April 2018. He was buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Fromelles and his grave rededicated on July 19, 2018, 102 years after his death. A memorial tablet was erected to his memory at St Luke’s Church in Wodonga. Honour Certificates WW1 - From 1915 onwards, recruits in many shires and towns in eastern Australia were honoured by local government authorities. A common form of recognition was the award of honour certificates. The first honour certificates were presented in 1915 and 1916 to men who had yet to leave Australia. The designers and publishing companies solicited business directly from councils. Publishers began to print two different types of certificates: honour certificates to thank soldiers who had survived and memorial certificates to commemorate the dead. D.W. Paterson, a Melbourne publishing firm, claimed they had supplied certificates to over 150 cities and shires in Victoria and New South Wales, including the Shire of Wodonga. Paterson also had the widest range of designs The certificate signified that the officials of the community recognised and shared the family's pride and grief. In the earliest designs, the legend "Australia's sons answered the call" appears below the shield. This was replaced with "For Liberty/ ANZACs/ For Justice". After the United States entered the war in April 1917, the design was reworked to include the US flag. Its presence in this certificate dates its publication as late 1917. The certificate was signed by S. T Parker, Shire President and R. H. Murphy, Council Secretary on 4th August 1918. Kenneth Malcolm Mortimer was born in Leneva, Wodonga and enlisted in the AIF after training at Duntroon. He fought and died at the Battle of Fromelles, France which was the first major engagement of the AIF on the Western Front. Along with hundreds of other Australian soldiers his remains were only identified in 2018, more than 100 years after the battle.Coloured certificate presented to the family of Captain K Mortimer by Wodonga Shire Council.29th battalion, mortimer, leneva, fromelles, aif, wodonga shire, honour certificates ww1

Coffee Palaces were developed throughout Australia with the backing of the Temperance Movement as an alternative venue to pubs in the late 19th century. Two Coffee Palaces identified in Wodonga in the early days were the Railway Coffee Palace and the Wodonga Coffee Palace. In 1908 Wodonga Coffee Palace was advertised for sale, having 15 rooms, a 15 stall stable and feed-room. In 1921 Wodonga Coffee Palace was taken over by Julia Ronan who had successfully conducted the dining rooms at the Wodonga Sale-yards for 15 years. The building of the Hume Weir was in progress and many of the workers boarded at the Coffee Palace. In 1936 Wodonga Coffee Palace became “Glenburnie” Guest House. Mr. Loftus Henry Moran, born in Winchelsea, Victoria, was well-known in the tea trade, originally working with Griffiths Bros Ltd. He started his own business, Loftus Moran Pty Ltd in 1909. Loftus Moran's company imported chinaware from Britain and sold it into the Australian market. They specialised in supplying to hotels, businesses and institutions.This bowl is an excellent example of earthen ware items used throughout Australia in hotels, cafes and other institutions. Loftus Moran Pty Ltd, was a major distributor and successful Melbourne Company. Mrs. Ronan's Coffee Palace was an important business in Wodonga and an alternate food and accommodation venue for those who preferred not to stay in public houses or hotels.A small white bowl bearing the logo of Ronan's Coffee Palace in Wodonga printed in green.In a scroll at the top edge "RONAN'S COFFEE PALACE" Underneath the bowl in green writing below a green crown "GRINDLEY HOTEL WARE/ENGLAND/VITRIFIED/LOFTUS, MORAN/ MELBOURNE"coffee palace, wodonga business, wodonga, mrs. ronan wodonga, 1920s wodonga

Several German families arrived in Wodonga, usually via South Australia, in the late 1850 and 1860s. Some of the earliest settlers to arrive were the Haeusler, Schlink, Trudewind, Pfeiffer and Klinge families. Many of them had left from Prussia and Bavaria to escape religious persecution. They all became actively involved in the community and made outstanding and lasting contributions to the development of the town. In the years 1868-69 more settlers arrived from South Australia and other parts of Victoria. Among the names were Heckendorf, Mueller, Zeinert and Schubert. These families were instrumental in lobbying for the establishment of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wodonga, the foundation stone being laid in 1874. By the 1890s to the early 1900s many other Germany names were added to the local community including Muller, Lange, Pumpa, Greschke, Lobbe, Posselt, Kreuger, Schuster, Pertzel, Star, Draper, Mueller, Semmler, Thiele, Terlich, Wegener, Schreiber and Draper. Germans continued to arrive in the area until 1914. In the great post-war migration that started through Bonegilla in December 1947, Germans were among the tens of thousands who arrived. Most of the migrants who settled in Wodonga at this time were born in Germany. According to the 2016 Census, Wodonga still has a larger percentage of people with German ancestry than most other rural communities in Victoria. The German Austrian Australian Club, Wodonga was originally formed in 1960 by immigrants to Australia, to provide a meeting place for refugees and immigrants from Europe. Oktoberfest has become a world-wide occasion for all people to share in the celebration of Bavarian traditions. The Wodonga Hospital approached the Club and asked for their involvement in holding an Oktoberfest to raise funds for the Hospital. These Fests took 11 months to organize and ended up raising over $27,000.00 for the Hospital. A large number of families of German origin have arrived in the Wodonga area from as early as the 1850s. They have made valuable and lasting contributions to the area in a range of fields including agriculture, local government, businesses, retail and medical services. Their contributions are recognised in several street names in Wodonga. A white china beer stein bearing the blue logo of the Wodonga 1979 Oktoberfest. Logo includes an image of a woman in German national costume.Above the image "WODONGA" Underneath the image "OKTOBERFEST 1979"wodonga, oktoberfest, german immigrants

The current city was originally named Wodonga, but its name was changed to Belvoir then later back to Wodonga, its indigenous name. The original post office opened on June 1, 1856. Wodonga Shire was created in 1876 when the colonial government agreed to ratepayers' petitions to have their part severed from the Yackandandah Shire and form a new municipality. On 30th March 1973, the Wodonga Shire was granted rural city status and was officially named the Rural City of Wodonga by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe. The date this logo first came into use is unsure, but it was used prior to the granting of rural city status. In 1994, the name was retained in a new local government authority and so the Wodonga Rural City Council was born. In 1995 it was decided to give the city a fresh image, so the term 'rural' was be dropped from use except where there was a legal requirement. In December 2003, it was decided to rename the council removing the term "rural" and it is now legally Wodonga City Council.This plaque is of local historic significance as it documents the way in which the local government and community has evolved and depicts itself over time. Designation as a rural city was a critical event in the development of Wodonga.Small circular metal plaque for public display of status of Rural City of Wodonga. Inscription including the Latin terms for "Faith and Justice" are embossed around the circumference on the front of the plaque. The symbols of wheat, cattle and grapes represent the major agricultural pursuits of the area. A representation of Hermes/Mercury is at the top centre of the plate.Around the circumference of the plaque is the inscription "FIDES ET JUSTITIA / RURAL CITY OF WODONGA"local government, wodonga council logo, wodonga, rural city victoria

After meeting for 14 years in rented premises, in the Prince of Wales Hall, Wodonga Council built its first Shire Hall on the corner of High and Elgin Streets in 1890. The first Shire Hall was demolished in 1971. The second building, Wodonga’s new Municipal Offices in Woodland Grove were used for the first time by Wodonga Councillors on 7th August 1957. The Woodland Grove building has since been used for a range of purposes, most recently as a café, but is currently unoccupied. The third purpose-built council chambers were opened in November 1976 with the first council meeting there on 1st December 1976. Westminster Fine China Australia started in the Melbourne suburb of Cheltenham at 7 Arnold Street, in 1954 by Stanley Rogers and Son Ltd. They initially used imported blanks from Japan, which were made to their specifications, and which were then decorated locally. They produced a standard range of shapes for souvenir ware, later expanding into a wide range of tea sets, dinnerware and many other styles of china ware. The Abbey mark, based on Westminster Abbey in London, was used from the start of production until about 1962.Woodland Grove was named in honour of Wodonga Shire’s first president, John Woodland. The building depicted served as the centre of municipal government for approximately 20 years, throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Woodland Grove is a central point in the Wodonga CBD and a focus for many civic and cultural activities.Small square plate with gold trim and central coloured image of Wodonga Shire Chambers. The trademark of Westminster Fine China Australia is on the under side of the plateOn front beneath image "SHIRE CHAMBERS WODONGA VIC" Underneath the plate, surrounding an drawing of Westminster Abbey "FINE CHINA/WESTMINSTER CHINA /AUSTRALIA/ 7" municipal offices, woodland grove wodonga, souvenirs, westminster china

The school was opened in 1857 and was known as School No. 378, Belvoir. In 1862 the Board of Education took control and called it Belvoir School No. 37, later known as No. 37 Wodonga. In 1938 it was made a Higher Elementary School and in 1954 it reached the status of a High School. The school's motto was "Labora ut Servias", which translates as "Work to Serve”Wodonga High School has a long history dating back to 1857. It has had several changes of name and provided a variety of levels of education as Wodonga itself grew and community needs changed. It developed from a primary school to become a Higher Elementary School and then a High School. It has since evolved further to become Wodonga Senior Secondary College.A circular metal ashtray with indentations for 4 cigarettes. The ashtray bears the symbol representing the school motto for Wodonga High School Around the edge of the circular yellow, red and gold logo "WODONGA HIGH SCHOOL / LABORA UT SERVIAS"education, wodonga high school, school souvenirs

Wodonga Football Club’s first recorded match was against the Albury Football Club on Saturday, 6 July 1878 in Wodonga. Between 1878 and 1891, Wodonga played many intermittent friendly matches against other local clubs and towns, before organised fixtures and competitions were starting to be arranged from the early 1890s In 1899, the Wodonga Football Club "Starlights" Junior Club was formed and adopted the Club colours of blue, black and a white star. In 1903, 1904 and 1905, the Wodonga Football Club "Shamrocks" entered a team in the local Federal Junior Football Association. In April 1906, the Wodonga Football Club "Shamrocks" met and decided to become a Senior team and be known as just the Wodonga FC The Club, currently a member of the Ovens and Murray Football League, has participated in a variety of local leagues and competition since then, apart from the years of the First and Second World Wars when they went into recess. The support the club has shown to its members was evidenced around 1949, when the Wodonga FC set up a Provident Fund for injured players to be compensated if they were not able to work for a length of time. In 1981, Wodonga achieved the rare feat of winning football Premierships in the Firsts, Seconds and Thirds. No other team has done this. The club has played in the finals 33 of the 74 years, winning seven senior premiership flags. Wodonga Football Club was first established in 1878 and has played an important role in the community since that time. It has been successful not only on the sporting field, but has provided support and social connection to its members and their families. Several of its players have gone on to perform to at an elite standard in higher levels of competition.A Patron's pin and badge in maroon, white and gold colours. The main badge features a bulldog, the symbol of the Wodonga Football Club in the centre.On the pin "PATRON". Around the edge of the oval "WODONGA/ FOOTBALL CLUB"wodonga bulldogs, wodonga football club, country football, sport, wodonga

H.D. Lee (Aust) was established in 1973 as a joint venture between Yakka Pty Ltd and Vanity Fair. In 1973 it decided to move to Albury-Wodonga, encouraged by government decentralisation assistance, lower overheads and the central location of the region. H.D. Lee opened a temporary pilot factory with 12 staff in Kiewa Street, Albury, in January 1974 while a new 50,000 sq. ft. factory for 400 staff was built on council land in West Wodonga. This was erected by local builders Zauner Construction, completed in late 1974 and began operations in April 1975. The factory became Australia’s second largest jeans manufacturer and employment in Wodonga at times exceeded 400 staff. In 1991 Yakka, which already owned 50 per cent of the H.D. Lee shares, bought out the rest. It quickly moved to reduce staff and transferred the administration to Broadmeadows. By 1997, the workforce had fallen to 110, and production of Lee and Faberge jeans, jackets and shorts gave way mostly to industrial wear.These coasters represent an industry which was a major employer in Wodonga. The establishment of H. D. Lee (Aust) was a direct result of Australian government's policy of decentralisation in the 1970s. A blue box containing 6 coasters to commemorate 10 years of H.D. Lee operations in Australia. Coasters are gold and include the Lee company logo. The box also includes information regarding the background of the manufacturer, Paul-Stephen Daly.On top half of coaster "H.D. LEE (AUST) PTY LTD /10 YEARS/ 1973-1983" Between lines of stars "Lee the ultimate jean"h.d. lee, wodonga, decentralisation, paul-stephen daly

The Sarroff family were one of the earliest Lebanese families to arrive in the area of Albury-Wodonga in the 1890s, originating from Kousba, Lebanon. They opened a drapery business in Townsend Street, Albury. Father Carl and Nassim (Charles) were naturalised in 1897. Carl died in 1926. By the 1950s his grandsons were operating dry cleaning businesses in both towns. In 1970 their business was located in Wodonga Mall on the corner of High Street and Stanley Street.Sarroff's Dry Cleaning was operated by the family of one of the earliest Lebanese migrant families to the Wodonga area in the 1890s.A blue metal ash tray bearing the name SARROFF's Dry Cleaners in a white disc in the centrePrinted on the white disc in the centre "SARROFF'S/Wodonga/Dry Cleaners/ Phone 639/ 2 Hour Service"lebanese migrants, wodonga businesses, high street wodonga

The Country Women’s Association of Victoria was formed 12 March 1928 and today has over 5,600 members. Its original aim was to improve conditions by community service, more especially as they affect the welfare of women and children. The Wodonga CWA branch was formed in 1934 and has been an active group in the community until the present day. The CWA provided gathering opportunities for rural women and quickly became renowned for their street stalls, catering at Agricultural Shows and social events including debutante balls, handicraft classes and cooking demonstrations. Today they have become even more than that, participating in and organising a wide range of activities and initiatives in the community, always with the focus of service to others. The CWA is of significance on a local, state and national level as a critical service group. They conduct a range of social, educational and services throughout Australia with an initial focus on the support of rural women and children. This role has evolved over time to incorporate a wide range of initiatives, government advisory bodies and organisations.A wine glass decorated with a gold rim and gold logo of the CWA Victoria produced to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Wodonga BranchAbove the CWA logo "GOLDEN JUBILEE" Beneath the logo "WODONGA/1934 - 1984"country women's association, wodonga cwa, service groups, community organisations

This is a suitcase known as a Gladstone bag. It is named after William Gladstone (1809-1898), a Prime Minister of England. Gladstone bags were first produced by Edward Cole in London in 1854. These bags were commonly used, mainly by men, for business, work and sporting purposes. As it was compact and stored a large amount of material , it was a popular choice for men travelling to their workplace or carrying clothes and equipment to sporting event.This bag has significance as it was widely used by men throughout Australia. The original owner of this bag was a police officer in Bright, Victoria, although it is typical of those used by many local men in their daily life.This is a small suitcase, called a Gladstone bag, made of stiffened brown leather built over a rigid metal frame. It has a leather handle on top of the metal frame and a metal lock on the side of the frame. There are metal clips at each end of the frame.. Metal straps attached to the sides of the case. The bag is lined with light blue material and there are two pockets on one side of the bag, It is accompanied by a matching leather address label.gladstone bag, luggage, work bag

A wide range of objects was created throughout Australia to commemorate 200th anniversary of the European settlement of AustraliaThis glass reflects the manner in which the Bicentennial of European settlement in Australia was depicted and commemorated both on a national and local level.A wine glass produced for the Rural City of Wodonga to commemorate the bicentennial of European settlement in AustraliaEmblem of the Rural City of Wodonga On the opposite side image including a sailing ship, an outline of Australia, Above the image "AUSTRALIA'S 200th BIRTHDAY" and below the image "1788-1988"australia, bicentennary, wodonga council

Wodonga Shire was created in 1876 when the colonial government agreed to ratepayers' petitions to have their area severed from the Yackandandah Shire and form a new municipality. In 1973, the Wodonga Shire was granted rural city status and was officially named the Rural City of Wodonga by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe. In 1994, a new local government authority, the Wodonga Rural City Council was created. In December 2003, the council was again legally re-named to become Wodonga City Council.The glass is representative of memorabilia produced to celebrate the achievement of a special status in the development of local government in Wodonga. Wodonga had "Rural City" status from 1973 until 2003.A standard wine glass with a gold trim and bearing the logo of the Rural City of WodongaAround the edge of the logo "RURAL CITY OF WODONGA / FIDES ET JUSTITIA"wodonga, local government, rural city, souvenir wodonga

The Postmaster-General's Department (PMG) was a department of the Australian federal government, established at Federation in 1901, whose responsibilities included the provision of postal and telegraphic services throughout Australia. It was abolished in December 1975 and replaced by the Postal and Telecommunications Department. Telephone calls were transferred through exchanges by manual operators who staffed switchboards throughout the country. The clock was used to time calls in order to levy appropriate charge for telephone usage.The use of manual telephone exchanges played an important role in Australian telecommunications history, not just for day -to-day business and commercial use, but for social connections and communication during emergency. This timer has local significance as it was used at the Wodonga Telephone Exchange.A small clock used by switchboard operators to time calls at the Wodonga Telephone Exchange. Lever on the side operates timier.In centre of clock 'C. of A./P.M.G -50" Insignia of the Junghans Clock Manufacturers At the bottom edge of the time "Made in Germany",telecommunication, wodonga telephone exchange, p.m.g., timer, wodonga

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.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.Preparing Locomotive S300 for travel. Driver George Padgett, Fireman S Salvin, Cleaners George Lynch, A. Milne and Jack Dawe. 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. rochow collection, railways wodonga, locomotive s300

This Farrand & Votey pump organ was manufactured in Detroit USA c1885. It was lovingly restored by the late Peter Frost of Tallangatta. The organ was gifted to Peter in 2000 in a state of disrepair and was not working. Peter was born in Devon, England in 1930 and completed an apprenticeship in joinery and cabinetry, specialising in ornate church and cathedral furniture. He migrated to Australia in 1957 and became a highly regarded woodwork and building science teacher as well as a Building Inspector. He was also a passionate musician. On completion of the refurbishment Peter gave the organ to his daughter at Georges Creek. Farrand & Votey started out as the Detroit Organ Co. in 1881. They started building pipe organs in 1888. Votey did pioneering work on piano players, developing the famous Pianola. However, in 1897 the company split up, Farrand remaining with the reed organs as the Farrand Organ Co., and Votey taking the pipe organ and player piano business. The Farrand Organ Co. later brought out its own piano player, the Cecilian, but went bankrupt in 1915.This organ is an example of a craftsmanship from the late 19th century and has been fully refurbished by a skilled craftsmen from the Tallangatta district near Wodonga.An upright Farrand & Votey Pump Organ which was originally manufactured in Detroit, USA. It has been fully refurbished and is in working condition. Ron Fudge, a pump organ restorer in USA has dated it at c.1885 based on its serial number 14404 83.Above keyboard: "Farrand & Votey"farrand & votey, pump organ, organ restoration

non-fictionGrowing Up in Albury (2001) is one of a series of books by Howard Jones, including Magic Memories of Albury, Vanishing Albury and Good Old Albury featuring images from Albury’s past. albury, history

non-fictionCollection of 50 newspaper-based stories from 1857 to 2017. True tales recall grim tragedies, local events and stories of Albury celebrities and other personalitiesalbury history, albury personalities, local history

non-fictionA history of Arnolds Fruit Market established by J.G Arnold in 1892.j.g. arnold, arnolds wodonga, arnolds albury, businesses wodonga

non-fictionA history of St John's Orphanage, founded by the Albury Foundation of the Sisters of Mercy in 1882 at Thurgoona, NSW. The orphanage operated until 1978.st johns orphanage thurgoona, orphanages, orphanages history nsw

non-fiction A collection of 76 photographs of Albury people, places and memorable events,albury, historical events albury, albury memorabilia

non-fictionA history of Albury historical buildingsalbury, historic buildings, lost buildings

non-fictionA history of Albury depicted through photos of historic buildingsalbury, history albury, albury photos

non-fictionExplores a time of particular hardship for Chinese men crossing the Murray at Albury-Wodonga in the 19th century. It describes the cruelties inflicted on the Chinese by both Victoria and New South Wales at the Murray because it was a colonial border.chinese migrants, albury, wodonga

non-fictionA study of the development of Albury, New South Wales through its historic buildings.historic buildings, albury, albury - pictorial works

non-fictionA celebration of 100 years of the Border Mail in Wodongaborder mail wodonga, border morning mail, australian newspapers, newspaper wodonga, the mott family

non-fictionAmazing People of the Border, features 40 stories of local identities based on interviews between 1985 and 2013local identities, albury-wodonga regions, history albury, history wodonga, biography