In 1959 Princess Alexandra of Kent visited Australia as the representative of Queen Elizabeth II for the Queensland Centenary Celebrations. Her six week visit began with her arrival in Canberra on 14th August 14 and she departed from Canberra on 26th September. Time spent in Australia included 3 weeks in Queensland. Her Royal Highness' visits to New South Wales and Victoria were comparatively brief and informal. In New South Wales she made two country visits including to Albury and a night spent at Bungowannah Park near Jindera. Her visit to Victoria began in Wodonga where she officially opened the Pollard Archway over the Causeway. She received an enthusiastic welcome as she approached the Archway accompanied by a motorcycle escort. As Princess Alexander stepped forward to take the scissors from a red plush case, her Lady-in- Waiting, Lady Moyra Hamilton, tugged at the Princess' sleeve, whispered and gave her a coin. The Princess handed the coin a halfpenny to the Wodonga Shire President, Cr J. S. Hore, saying: "I must give you this, otherwise it might be unlucky." (The halfpenny "gift" stems from an old English superstition that a "sharp" gift such as a knife or scissors must be dulled with copper or else a friendship will be lost. After cutting the ribbon and declaring the Pollard Arch, named in honour of Councillor Charles Pollard M.B.E. she was presented with a bouquet by 10-year old Leslie McLeod. Princess Alexandra led by a pipe band was driven along the Hume Highway and High Street which were lined by thousands of people including school children. After a short trip along High Street and Elgin Street to the Railway Station she departed from protocol to speak to the many children who had crossed the barricade. Princess Alexandra then boarded the Royal Train for her journey to Melbourne.This item is significant because it represents the visit to Wodonga of Princess Alexandra in 1959.A pair of scissors in a red box. The bottom of the box is lined with red cloth and the lid is lined with white silk bearing the trademark "Jewelcrest". The scissors are engraved with the maker's mark for GIESEN & FORSTHOFF/ SOLINGEN GERMANYOn top of Box. The Official Opening by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent 0f the Cr C F Pollard MBE Archway Wodonga 16th Sept 1959 On Scissors: GIESEN & FORSTHOFF/ SOLINGEN GERMANY TIMOR SOLINGENprincess alexandra, pollard arch

Thomas Cunningham Reidy was a native of Clare, Ireland. Shortly after arriving in Australia, he was employed as a travelling salesman for a brewery at Seymour, Victoria. In about 1872 with Mr Andrew McCormick, he carried on a business as storekeeper at various points along the North-Eastern Railway whilst the line was being constructed, finally arriving in Wodonga. Their partnership continued with the construction of the Carrier’s Arms Hotel and a general store which opened in 1874. The store drew trade from as far away as Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. The Carrier's Arms was also a coach stop for the Bethanga Express Coach. When the Wodonga Shire was created in 1876 after being severed from the Yackandandah Shire, Thomas Reidy was one of the first Councillors. He resigned in the following year, but was re-elected a year later. He served as Shire President in 1880–1881 and again in 1883–1884. He also served as a Justice of the Peace. In 1884 the partnership between Thomas Reidy and Andrew McCormick was terminated and the Carrier’s Arms was sold to Edmund T. Powell. Mr Reidy purchased the Tangambalanga Estate near Kiewa where he focussed on stock breeding, including horses. Whilst at Kiewa he was also one of the promoters of the local butter factory, and was the Chairman of the first Board of Directors of the Kiewa Butter Company. Early in 1896, Thomas Reidy sold Tangambalanga Estate to Mr L. R. Davies-Griffith, having already purchased the Club Hotel in Morwell. Unfortunately, he died in Morwell on 15th December 1896 leaving behind his wife Mary and 10 children including a new born son.This portrait is significant because it depicts a citizen of Wodonga who played an important role in commerce and local government in Wodonga.A colourised photo of T.C. Reidy in an oval plastic frame.t.c. reidy, wodonga councillors, carriers' arms wodonga

ill, maps, p.122.non-fictionA history of the Victorian Railway's branch line from Wodonga to Cudgewa in Victoria.railroad construction - victoria - history, railroads - victoria - cudgewa - history

ill, maps, p.104.non-fictionA short history of the Victorian Railway's branch line from Wodonga to Cudgewa in Victoria.railroad construction - victoria - history, railroads - victoria - cudgewa - history

Sydney William Phefley was born in Wodonga, Victoria on 5th November 1896 to Christian Phefley and Martha nee Schultz. He was their third son and eighth child in a family of 17 children. Sydney enlisted in Melbourne on 4th August 1915 and was allocated to 29th Battalion Machine Gun Section. On 10th November 1915 he embarked from Melbourne on the HMAT Ascanius and saw service in Egypt and on the Western Front. In March 1916 Sydney was promoted to Sergeant. During that year he was also hospitalised for a minor case of mumps in Cairo in March and then for a case of trench foot in England in December. In February 1918, Sergeant Phefley was accepted into the Officer Cadet Battalion which included the completion of an Officers Training Course at Oxford. In October 1918 he was transferred to the 32nd Battalion and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in December 1918. Lieutenant Phefley returned to Australia on 15th May 1919 and was discharged on 22nd August 1919. Sydney was later employed by the Victorian Railways as an engine driver. He married Mary Johanna Hogan on 15th October 1924. Sydney William Phefley died in Moe, Victoria on 16th January 1973.This image is significant because it portrays a member of a prominent Wodonga family who served Australia during World War I.A framed black and white image of Sydney William Phefley in Uniformprivate sydney william phefley, phefley family wodonga, world war 1 servicemen