Customs duties were a means of raising revenue between the 1850s and Federation. They were first introduced by NSW in November 1854 after it was separated from the colony of Victoria three years earlier. J P Hanify was appointed as sub-collector at Belvoir, the official name present day Wodonga at that time. Wodonga Customs House was built near the end of Union Bridge over the Murray River in 1859 Tariffs or customs duties greatly angered residents and it was little wonder the customs officer of the day was always an unpopular man. Tariffs had to be paid on articles such as tobacco, many food items and new clothing that were carried across the Border. The range of items was extended over time, leading to some farmers even swimming their livestock across the river to avoid duties at the Customs house. The levying of duties ended with Federation in 1901. Francis Cobham depicted in this photograph, took up the position of Customs officer in 1867 and remained there until his retirement in 1890. The building was originally a 2 roomed custom house in 1856 but was extended to provide living quarters for the Cobham family while a nearby cottage became the Customs house. The building was moved to a position south of the lagoon in the mid 1980s and is now a restaurant.This image represents an important stage in the development of colonial relationships and rivalries in Australia.Black and white photograph of Customs officer Francis Cobham in Wodonga c 1860customs house wodonga, albury wodonga border, colonial rivalry victoria /nsw, tariffs

On 11th December 2001 an event was held in Wodonga to celebrate 100 years of the Australian Customs Service. It was held at the former Customs House building in Wodonga. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including the sitting Members of Parliament Mr Tony Plowman and Mr Bill Baxter. Speeches were made by Cr John Watson and Mr Bob Morgan, Supervisor of Australian Customs. A commemorative plaque was also unveiled. The Australian Customs Service played an important role in the history of Wodonga and a major part in the federation of the colonies of Australia. In 1852 the colonies were given the right to collect import duties on items such as coffee, tea, tobacco, chocolate and spirits. NSW was first to impose collection of duties in 1853. At that time Wodonga was not an official port of entry and was not allowed to collect duties. This regulation made it illegal for people to transport dutiable goods across the Murray River from NSW which provided an incentive for smuggling, while at the same time strangling the legitimate trade. Merchants and settlers along the Murray River complained and petitioners approached Melbourne to establish a Customs House on the Murray River so that trade could resume. Belvoir (later to become Wodonga) was a made a port of entry with its own Customs House gazetted on 22nd December 1854. The Government set aside 500 Pounds in 1859 to build Belvoir's own Customs House J P Hanify was appointed as sub-collector at Belvoir. The Customs House was built near the end of Union Bridge over the Murray River in 1859. Tariffs or customs duties greatly angered residents and it was little wonder the customs officer of the day was always an unpopular man. Tariffs had to be paid on articles such as tobacco, many food items and new clothing that were carried across the Border. The range of items was extended over time, leading to some farmers even swimming their livestock across the river to avoid duties at the Customs House. The levying of duties ended with Federation in 1901. Francis Cobham depicted in this photograph, took up the position of Customs Officer in 1867 and remained there until his retirement in 1890. The building was originally a 2-roomed Customs House in 1856 but was extended to provide living quarters for the Cobham family while a nearby cottage became the Customs House. The building was moved to a position south of the lagoon in the mid-1980s and is now a restaurant.This item is significant because it documents the commemoration ceremony for the Australian Custom Service held in Wodonga on 11th December 2001.An A4 size certificate created to acknowledge the centenary of the Australian Customs Service officially established at the time of Federation in 1901. The certificate accompanied the donation of a photo of the Wodonga Customs House including the Customs Officer and his family. It has been mounted in a clear frame.This photograph was presented to the Wodonga Historical Society on the occasion of the unveiling of the Plaque to commemorate 100 years of Federation and 100 years of the Australian Customs Service. The building in the photograph is the Customs House at Wodonga on the Victorian side of the New South Wales border. It was taken in 1883 when collection of Customs wàs a state responsibility. People in the photograph are; second from left- Mr Francis McCrea Cobham (Customs Officer from 1877 to 1890), his daughters Connie (extreme, left), Katie and son Willie. Nothing is known of the person on the extreme right. 11 December 2001 Cr John K.D. Watson Mayor City of Wodonga Insignias of the City of Wodonga and Australian Customs Serviceaustralian customs service, customs house wodonga

Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. WODONGA'S SECOND POLICE STATION - This building was located on the west side of High Street near the railway line at the corner of High Street and Bond Street. The building in the background was the Bond Store which was later repurposed to become the Court House. This Police Station, which began operation on this site c1905, had originally been the house of the customs officer. It had a front office and a Sergeant's and an Inspector's office as well as 2 barrack rooms and a laundry at the rear. In the backyard was a blue stone cell block and a night soil toilet, as well as a stable used previously for horse and carriage. Opposite the police station was a boarding house which supplied meals to prisoners. This police station was in use until its move to Elgin Street, Wodonga in December 1967.This photo collection is significant as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the 20th century.Two black and white photos of the 2nd Police Station built in Wodonga with the former Bond Store in the background.high st wodonga, police stations wodonga

Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. WODONGA'S SECOND COURTHOUSE The Court House was situated in the Customs or Bond Store building alongside the Wodonga Police Station in 93 High Street. This was on the west side of High Street at its intersection with Bond Street. The building was converted to the courthouse in 1920. In early 1964, the courthouse building was burnt beyond repair and furniture and other property destroyed. The cause of the fire was never found. The Police Station was lucky to survive but only because of the efforts of the local Fire Brigade. After the fire, the court was held first at the old Fire Station premises near where the present Wodonga Post Office, then it moved to a vacant building in Mitchell Street which was later turned into a Child Care Centre. Foundations for the new courthouse in Elgin Street were laid in October 1965.This photo collection is significant as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the 20th century.2 black and white photos of the Court House, formerly used as a Bond Store for collection of customs.high st wodonga, wodonga court house

The barrel was used in the Wodonga Court House as part of the selection process for jurors. It was a standard issue barrel used throughout Victoria. It was retrieved from the ruins of the court house which was destroyed by fire. It was then donated to the Wodonga Historical Society. The timber display stand was made and donated by Jake Tooley, a Wodonga Historical Society member, The Court House was situated in the Customs Store building alongside the Wodonga Police Station in 93 High Street. (The house where the Police Station was had originally been the home of the Customs Officer). In early 1964, the court house building was burnt beyond repair and furniture and other property destroyed. The cause of the fire was never found. The Police Station was lucky to survive but only because of the efforts of the local Fire Brigade. After the fire, the court was held first at the old Fire Station premises near where the Wodonga Post Office is near Woodland Grove, then it moved to a vacant building in Mitchell Street which was later turned into a Child Care Centre. Foundations for the new court house in Elgin Street were laid in October 1965 Local significance due to its use in the Wodonga Court House and its survival of a major fire. State significance as it documents a procedure used in the Victorian Court and Legal system Cylindrical metal-iron barrel painted black with writing stenciled on the front in white The timber mount was made for storage and display is not part of the original object,Inscription on Barrel "WODONGA./ Jurors in use./ Special"wodonga court, jurors, selection, legal system, fire

In the early 1900s a new Coffee Palace was erected on the first railway land to be leased for private business in Wodonga. This Coffee Palace (later to become Glenburnie Guest House) was situated in High Street opposite the former Customs House which at the time was being used as the Wodonga Police Station. It was built by Mr Denny Donovan and operated by his wife. An article in the Wodonga and Towong Sentinel declared that “No expense has been spared in the erection and fitting up of the Palace, which is intended to supply a long felt want”. The building consists entirely of brick and the rooms are lofty, spacious and well-ventilated. The bedsteads are modern, and will satisfy the most fastidious. The motto of the proprietress is “Cleanliness, civility and attention”. Mr Donovan died in January 1908 and in 1909 the Wodonga Coffee Palace was sold by Mrs Donovan to Mrs P. Egan who advertised hot and cold shower baths with meals at all hours. In 1913 the Wodonga Coffee Palace was taken over by Mrs Cuthbertson and Miss Steele. In 1921 Wodonga Coffee Palace was taken over by Julia Ronan who had successfully conducted the dining rooms at the Wodonga Saleyards for 15 years until those premises burned down. The Wodonga and Towong Sentinel on 10 January 1936 reported that “the business premises formerly conducted by Mrs Ronan have been renovated and refurbished. The new proprietresses are Misses Breen, who have had extensive experience in managing such businesses. The new premises will be known as the Glenburnie Guest House.” Changes of ownership continued with Mrs M.E. Elliot taking over in December 1940, followed by Mrs Stella Victoria Wong in 1945. In 1953 it was again taken over by Mrs E.M. Moran. The date of the closure of Glenburnie Guest House is uncertain but the building was demolished in the early 1970s.This image is significant because it is one of the few remaining links to an important Wodonga business.A photo taken from a newspaper article about Glenburnie Guest Houseglenburnie guest house, early wodonga businesses, coffee palaces

This image appeared in the Australasian Sketcher on 13th August 1881. The initials in the corner indicate the artist may have been J D Cooper who worked with the Australasian Sketcher at that time. The Australia Customs Service played an important role in the history of Wodonga and a major part in the federation of the colonies of Australia. In 1852 the colonies were given the right to collect import duties on items such as coffee, tea, tobacco, chocolate and spirits. NSW was first to impose collection of duties in 1853. At that time Wodonga was not an official port of entry and was not allowed to collect duties. This regulation made it illegal for people to transport dutiable goods across the Murray River from NSW which provided an incentive for smuggling, while at the same time strangling the legitimate trade. Belvoir (later to become Wodonga) was a made a port of entry with its own Customs House gazetted on 22nd December 1854. The Government set aside 500 Pounds in 1859 to build Belvoir's own Customs House. After the arrival of the Railways to Wodonga in 1873, Customs Officers also checked travellers on the trains. The Sydney Morning Herald on 31st March 1881 reported:- "Luggage Scrutinised: The discomfort attending travellers proceeding overland from Sydney having to submit to their luggage being scrutinised by the Custom House officials at Wodonga is about to be increased. Passengers doing this journey must now be present on the platform at the Wodonga terminus three-quarters of an hour before the train leaves for Melbourne; and the Customs authorities have intimated that unless passengers attend as indicated, with the keys of their portmanteaus ready to open them for the inspection of the officers, the luggage will be detained until the next train, when it will be forwarded under bond, the owners having to pay the carriage." Tariffs were one of the most contentious issues which influenced discussions surrounding Federation. They were abolished when Federation was achieved in 1901. This item is significant because it depicts an early view of Wodonga when it was still an important customs post.A print from a pencil sketch which was published in the Australasian Sketcher 1881. It features a scene at the customs office in Wodonga. Initials JD in bottom right cornerearly wodonga, wodonga customs office