J M Peck & Sons held regular stock and station sales at their dedicated Wodonga yards. The original stockyards were located near the old Wodonga Railway Station. The firm was originally established in Melbourne in 1887 when John Murray Peck went into partnership with his son, Harry Huntington Peck. Recognising Wodonga's vital strategic position as the premier gateway for moving stock across the state border, the firm expanded into the North East almost immediately. By the 1890s, when another son, Richard "Dick" Peck, joined the business, it became known as J. M. Peck & Sons and had cemented its permanent operations in Wodonga. To manage the high volume of local business, the firm often operated together with local partner Simon Mulqueeney, trading locally under the joint banner of Peck & Sons & Mulqueeney for land, municipal, and crown property auctions. They conducted fortnightly and seasonal stock auctions at their central Wodonga yards. The standalone entity of J. M. Peck & Sons ended in 1922 when the business was formally acquired by and amalgamated into the Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Co. Ltd. (AML&F). Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. 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. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.This image is significant because it is the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876 and documents the importance of the Wodonga Saleyards.A black and white image of cattle sales held at the Wodonga Saleyards J M Peck & Sons on sign Cattle Sales Wodonga written on fencebonsema photography, thomas peter john bonsema, wodonga saleyards, simon mulqueeney

An A4 sized publication with yellow cover and black text. It features the logo of Wodonga Historical Society.non-fictionThis publication includes a detailed timeline of the Wodonga Saleyards and its development from 1837 until 1985. Also included are reminiscences of people associated with the saleyards and by Verna Ellis who operated the refreshment rooms. Other key personnel such as yard attendants, cattle dealers and buyers, stock carriers, stock inspectors, auctioneers and agents using the Wodoga Saleyards have been listed.wodonga saleyards, cattle sales wodonga

Henry Richardson came from England in 1852 and this was his home from 1871 to 1888. His son Henry, better known as Harry, managed the property from 1888 until his death in 1926. The property was sold in 1932 and has been known as Old Barnawartha for over 140 years. The homestead exhibited no particular style, it looked like a Cornish Miner’s cottage, and appeared as if pieces were added on as the need arose. The property is well known for topping both sheep and cattle sales at Newmarket.This item is significant because it depicts the home of an early Wodonga District pioneerA black and white image of an old homestead. There is a white picket fence across the front of the building.old barnawartha, early settlement, wodonga and district

This plaque commemorates the official opening of the liveweight selling facilities at the Wodonga Municipal Saleyards, named the W. G. Page Saleyards, in 1980. Liveweight selling usually involves a curfew where cattle have to be at the saleyard by a specific time before the sale in order for them to be weighed prior to auction. Cattle that do not make the curfew time are sold on a $/head basis. The last sales at this facility took place in February 2015 before being replaced by the privately-run Barnawartha North's Northern Victoria Livestock Exchange. William George Page was Shire and City Engineer in Wodonga from 1965 until 1989. When he arrived the Shire of Wodonga had a population of 17,000 people. In 1966 Wodonga was selected as a city for special growth assistance. In 1972 Bill Page presented a new Town Plan to the Wodonga Council. Over the ensuing years he dedicated himself to bring this plan to fruition. He often had to argue and campaign with the Albury-Wodonga Corporation to push for the interests of development in Wodonga. This included winning a planning appeal to allow the saleyards to be relocated to Bandiana on the outskirts of Wodonga. Bill Page retired on health grounds in July 1989. The Council honoured him with a farewell dinner and renamed the saleyards at Bandiana the W.G. Page Saleyards in his honour.The Mayor , Cr Valentina Gillard, said "Every development in Wodonga in the past 24 years has a bit of Bill Page in it". William Page died 3 months later at 58 years old.A bronze forged metal plaque with detailed inscription. Bolts to fix plaque to the wall are still attached.RURAL CITY OF WODONGA / THIS PLAQUE/ COMMEMORATES THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE/ LIVEWEIGHT SELLING FACILITIES AT / THE WODONGA MUNICIPAL SALEYARDS /BY/THE HON. DIGBY CROZIER, M.L.C., / MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT/ ON WEDNESDAY, 4TH MARCH, 1981 CR. H. W, DRAPER, J.P. MAYOR R. I. O'TOOLE TOWN CLERK , CR. I. J. MACAULAY MARKETS CHAIRMAN W. G. PAGE CITY ENGINEERlivestock sales wodonga, liveweight cattle sales, municipal saleyards wondonga

non-fictionBuilt in 1935, the saleyards in Wodonga catered for cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs and were the site of the second largest one-day sale of cattle in Australia. Prior to the establishment of the municipal saleyards there were 4 privately owned sets of saleyards in Wodonga. In 1925 Mr. Robert Richardson was elected to the Wodonga Shire Council and immediately proposed that the Council should establish new saleyards to replace existing, outdated facilities. Initially there was a lack of support and strong opposition from the private owners. It was not until Mr. Richardson was elected President of the Shire in 1933 that progress was made. They were eventually opened in October 1935 and played a pivotal role in primary industry in the area. This book tells their story.saleyards wodonga, livestock sales, primary industry victoria

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. Front page of a newspaper with cattle lists printed in black ink.newspaper, print, newsprint, cattle, cattle sales, cattle yard, farm, wodonga, hamilton-smith, livestock, hamilton-smith collection