Zilles Printers was begun by Lewis Zilles in the early 1930s. It was in McKenzie Street Ballarat. His son Jeffrey also became a printer - letterpress, offset and screen printer. The business became Zilles Printers/Graphics and was in Armstrong Street and later Bell Street Ballarat. The Ministry for Economic Development, Government of Victoria, awarded the Zilles family company the certificate for Approved Decentralized Establishment in the category of Printing and Publishing for the benefits provided pursuant to the Government's Decentraization Program. Dated 28th September 1982.Buff coloured card. Scroll edging, brown and red print.Symbol of government, red seal, signature. Certificate No 4525zilles printers, ballarat, minister of economic development, government of victoria, decentralized industry, award

The Wonthaggi Cotton Mills operated in May 1958. The government and Wonthaggi businesspeople had each contributed 15,000 Sterling pounds to have the mills established, in line with the government's efforts to decentralize secondary industries. Mr Richard Best attended the opening.Black and white photograph of the front office of the de Stoop and Best Aust Pty Ltd cotton mill in Wonthaggi Victoria.de stoop roger, best, dick, weaving mills, de stoop and best, aust pty ltd

Les Stone was the last Shire President of Wodonga and first Mayor of the Rural City of Wodonga. Born in Collingwood, Victoria on 24th August 1919, he was the first of his family to obtain a post-secondary education. He became a Christian Brother but left the ministry after 10 years and became a trained primary school teacher. Les held various teaching appointments in and around country Victoria and Wodonga, the last as Principal of Wodonga West Primary School. It was in Wodonga that Les and his wife Pam settled with their family. Their contribution to the Wodonga community and local government was outstanding. Les established a strong network in the local migrant community, helping many new arrivals at Bonegilla Migrant Reception Centre with language issues and settling them into their new environment. He worked in support of all underprivileged people in the community. In 1967 Les was elected as a Councillor for the West Riding of Wodonga Council. The following year he was elected Deputy Shire President. He was the last Shire President of Wodonga and in 1971 became the inaugural Mayor of the Rural City of Wodonga. The City of Wodonga was proclaimed on 14th March 1973 and Les was re-elected as Mayor. He chose to serve one full term as Mayor having previously served two terms as Shire President. Les Stone passed away at the Mercy Hospital Albury on 28th December 1974 at 54 years of age. He left behind an enduring legacy which included the proactive encouragement of industry to Wodonga. He also championed the selection of Wodonga as a Growth Centre. A champion and defender of local government, Les served as Chairman of the North East Region of Municipalities which comprised 13 Councils including Wodonga and Wangaratta. He also played a critical role on the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation for five years in the early period of the Whitlam decentralization scheme. Les Stone’s life of giving wasn’t just about local government and teaching. He was an old-fashioned community activist who gave far more than he took from the community. Les worked tirelessly for numerous organizations including the Royal Children’s Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital (he was made a Life Governor of both), the Wodonga Good Neighbour Council, and Knights of the Southern Cross, Rotary, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and St. Augustine’s Parish Council. However it is in local government that he remains best remembered. He was an active and vocal councillor and gave over 16 years of service to the people of Wodonga - his election and re-election was never once opposed. Les Stone was interned in the Lawn Cemetery in Wodonga. He was aged 54 years. The naming and dedication of the Les Stone Park in West Wodonga is an important acknowledgement of Les Stone’s life. The inscription reads: '’Leslie Edwin Stone JP was the first Mayor of Wodonga from 1972 to 1974 and a former Shire President (1972). A school teacher and principal by profession Les had a long history of involvement with the migrant community and Catholic Church. He was an acknowledged champion of decentralisation’’. These photos are significant because they document the service of an important civic leader in Wodonga.A collection of coloured images related to Les Stone, Mayor of Wodongales stone, wodonga civic leaders, wodonga council