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. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. 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.Geoff and Clarrie Ewart conducted a menswear business in High Street, Wodonga for 45 years. The pair began trading in 1954 at the southern end of the street before moving to a shop next to the Wodonga Pharmacy where they continued until 1995. They also opened Ewart's Book Store further south in High Street in 1961. Their second site became known as the 'long shop' as it extended from High Street and through to the Coles supermarket car park. They closed their menswear business in 1995. It was eventually absorbed by Coles when they extended their store, Jannoel Florist in Seasame Street was opened late 1973 - back then the Darrel Lea shop was Harry Johnsons shoe shop and after that it was Toyworld then it became Darrel lea before Jannoel bought Darrel Lea in 1998 knocked a hole in the wall and began combining flowers and chocolates Coles building was commenced on the site of Stiff and Gannon in March 1971 wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, ewart brothers, jannoel florist

The company which was to become the manufacturer of the iconic Australian Akubra hat was founded in Tasmania in 1876 by Benjamin Dunkerley at his Kensington Hat Mills in Hobart. In 1906 he relocated to a small workshop in Surrey Hills, New South Wales. He was joined by British hatmaker in 1904. In 1911 Dunkerley Hat Mills is registered with seven shareholders and in 1912 Akubra brand was registered. In 1918 Benjamin Dunkerley died and Stephen Keir became the patriarch of the company which was to remain in the hands of the Keir family for five generations. In 2023 Akubra is acquired by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s private investment group Tattarang to ensure it remained as an Australian company. During its long history Akubra has produced a wide range of styles as well as having a contract for the manufacture of the Australian Military slouch hat. The Akubra “Clubman” first appeared in 1953. Fayrefield Hats were manufactured by the United Felt Hat Company Pty Ltd. in Abbotsford, Victoria from about 1920. The Company operated in a factory formally owned by Denton Hats. They relocated to Eltham, Victoria sometime in the 1940s. The Australian hat manufacturing industry received a major boost in the late 1920s with the introduction of tariffs on imported hats. As well as selling a wide range of men’s hats, Fayrefield also manufactured Australian military hats in the 1960s. Both of these hats were sold by Ewart Bros. Menswear in High Street, Wodonga. Clarrie and Jeff Ewart opened their business, Ewart Bros. Menswear in High Street, Wodonga in 1954. After 45 years of service to the Wodonga community Ewart Bros. closed their doors on Friday 3rd April 1998.These hats are significant because they were manufactured by two iconic Australian companies and sold by an important, long-serving Wodonga business.Two men's hats sold by Ewart Brothers of Wodonga. Hat One is an Akubra Clubman featuring a feather in the brim. Hat Two is a fedora style hat manufactured by Fayrefield of Melbourne. Branding and logos on both hatsaustralian hat makufacturers, akubra, fayrefield, ewart bros. menswear

EWART BROTHERS MENSWEAR In 1954 Clarrie and Jeff Ewart opened their business, Ewart Bros. Menswear in High Street, Wodonga. They united after having worked in separate menswear businesses following schooling at St Augustine’s in Wodonga. Clarrie had worked at Abikhairs and Jeff had his own business after working at Cann’s in Albury. Over more than 40 years in business Ewart Bros. operated from different premises, first in a rented premises at 192 High Street, then their own shop at 180 High Street in 1965. Their second site became known as the 'long shop' as it extended from High Street and through to the Coles supermarket car park. In 1962 they also opened a book shop at 192A High Street, advertising sales of books, stationery, cards and school book orders. Ewart Bros. was put up for auction in November 1995, with Clarrie and Jeff intending to retire. However the business was passed in at auction, so the business continued. On Friday 3rd April 1998 a clearance sale of all shop fittings was finally held, with Ewart Bros Menswear thanking the customers and friends who had supported them over the past 45 years. Jeff died on 5th April 1999 and Clarrie died on 20 May 2020.These items are significant because they represent an important and long serving business in the Wodonga community.A collection of photos and advertisements for Ewart Bros. Menswear in Wodongaewart bros. menswear, wodonga businesses, jsff and clarrie ewart