Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Governor's Visit to Chiltern, Victoria, Thomas Bonsema, 1915
... Along Conness street from the town hall to the opposite end, flags of the Allies fluttered in the breeze, while in Main street the most striking feature to catch the eye was an extra-large Union Jack. The decorations were splendid, and clearly showed that the Chiltern folk are loyal at any rate.
Streamers were placed across the road, from Brann's to the Star Hotel...Along Conness street from the town hall to the opposite end, flags of the Allies fluttered in the breeze, while in Main street the most striking feature to catch the eye was an extra-large Union Jack. The decorations were splendid, and clearly showed that the Chiltern folk are loyal at any rate.
Streamers were placed across the road, from Brann's to the Star Hotel ...
Extract from the Federal Standard (Chiltern, Vic) Fri 12 Mar 1915
VISIT OF STATE GOVERNOR (SIR ARTHUR STANLEY) TO CHILTERN Splendid Street Decorations. Great Enthusiasm.
From early morning all hands were busy preparing bunting, and before noon the streets presented a very gay appearance. Along Conness street from the town hall to the opposite end, flags of the Allies fluttered in the breeze, while in Main street the most striking feature to catch the eye was an extra-large Union Jack. The decorations were splendid, and clearly showed that the Chiltern folk are loyal at any rate.
Streamers were placed across the road, from Brann's to the Star Hotel, from the Savings Bank to Grant's hotel, from Cannon's to Grant's hotel from Boucher's to Sexton's store, from Browse's to Force's from Scott's to Smyth's hotel, and from Harvey's to pole opposite.
Flags were displayed at the FEDERAL STANDARD office, Gallagher's shop, Burke's wine cafe, Ryan's, Black's. Gilmour's (specially decorated), A. Smith's, Bank N.S.W., and Post Office, in fact all the business places and many private residences put out as much bunting as they could possibly get hold of.
After being photographed by Mr T. P. J. Bonsema an adjournment was made to the manager's office where Mr Cock proposed the toast of "The King."
Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. He later moved to Chiltern where his signature on photographs changed to BONSEMA CHILTERN of just his initials.
Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. After his marriage to Minna Louisa Jones in 1912 moved to Chiltern, Victoria. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944.
Several of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.These images are significant because they are the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876. They record the visit of the Governor of Victoria Sir Arthur Stanley to Chiltern in 1915.Two black and white images of a celebrations in Chiltern for the visit of the Governor of Victoria in 1915Across bottom of images - Decorations Main St Chiltern TBCbonsema photography, thomas peter john bonsema, sir arthur stanley
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc