Murray Valley Hunt Club’s formation stemmed from a conversation between Messrs Ken Crawford, then of "Nooroona", Holbrook, NSW and Des Martin of "Aherlo", Wodonga where they discussed bringing hunting to the people of the district around Wodonga and Albury in 1946. After participating in events and activities in New South Wales with other clubs, the Murray Valley Hunt Club began Point-to-Point racing on "Aherlo" in 1957 at “Aherlo”, the property of Des Martin located on the outskirts of Wodonga in the Huon Creek Valley. Des Martin was the only gentleman rider with permission to ride against professional jockeys within the metropolitan area in any type of jumping race in Victoria, a distinction not since achieved by any other amateur. Des also played a major role in Australia entering an equestrian team in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and served as a steward at that event. The Hunt was officially formed with a steering committee of Messrs Crawford, J T Sullivan (Chairman of the North Eastern District Racing Association), Mr Des Martin, Harold Boon and John Hamilton-Smith. Miss Z Cox was appointed Honorary Secretary and Mr J C B Mckenzie McHarg Legal Officer. In 1960 the Hunt Club meets moved to Wodonga Racecourse then in 1967 wet conditions called for a move to Chiltern and in 1968 they successfully applied to re-open the Old Rutherglen Racecourse in 1969. Des Martin died on 12 April 1995. This photograph is significant because it captures key people responsible for the founding of the Murray Valley Hunt Club.A black and white photo of key identities at the opening of the Murray Valley Hunt ClubA. McIntosh , Des Martin (Master) and Harold Boon (Whip), at the Opening Meet of the Murray Valley Hunt Club.murray valley hunt club, des martin, harold boon

R.S.L. is the Returned and Services League of Australia, a member based charity founded in 1916, and the largest veterans' charity in Australia. It provides a support network and community for veterans and their families. They have a commemorative service each year on 25th April, ANZAC Day.The Mt Beauty RSL committee members in 1949 is a list of people living in Mt Beauty at the time and who were working as a support team for veterans and their families. The ANZAC crowd at the temporary memorial indicate the interest in the town for a commemoration and the need for a more permanent structure.Both Black & White large photos. 1. Group of men - Mt Beauty R.S.L. Committee with names on reverse. 2. Anzac Day at Mt Beauty. Early 1950s. People including school children, gathered around a temporary war memorial structure near the current (2023) roundabout. In the background is the main workshop. The Tail race channel hasn't been constructed. On the back in pen of RSL photo: Mt Beauty R S L Committee 1949 -50 / Standing Fred De Little, Roy Cobby, WaJ. Jones/ Joe Lang, Ian Bennett, Stan Leanard, Ted White/ Seated / Harry Edney, Jack Chapman (Tres), Harold Boon (Pres), R Webster (Sec), /Joe Breen returned services league, anzac day, rsl 1949

The sale of stock in Wodonga goes back to its earliest history with yards being operated on the site now occupied by Elgin's Hotel and the Centro Shopping Centre, located close to the railways. Horse sales were an important part of the history of the Wodonga Saleyards. Horses were bred in north-east Victoria for the Indian Market, and records show that a truck load of horses left Wodonga Station in 1875. Campbell & Sons commenced selling horses at the Elgin Street site in 1895 and they conducted regular sales in association with Younghusband Ltd. Campbell & Sons was a Melbourne-based company, which eventually merged with Wright Stephenson & Co. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel of Friday 3rd March 1899 reported “Buyers attended from Bendigo, Ballarat, Calcutta, Madras, Singapore, The Islands, Gippsland, Dandenong, and Melbourne. Indian remounts brought up to £32 10s, draughts to £25, medium draughts to £18, town hacks and harness horses to £32, buggy pairs to £65, and light weedy sorts to £5.” After World War II, large numbers of mainly Clydesdale working horse teams were driven to Wodonga for sale. The March horse sale was the biggest and most important event of the year with overall yardings of 1,000 horses sold over two or even three days. It was a very busy period. All the horses were put through the ring singly, usually by Felix Grundy and generally caught and mouthed by Harold Boon, Andy Elliot or Toy Mulqueeney. The majority of the horses sold were trucked by rail from Wodonga. With developments in technology and the changing role of the horse in modern society, the sale of horses dwindled although horse sales at Wodonga continued until the early 1980s.These items are significant because they represent an important industry in Wodonga's past as a major centre of livestock sales in Victoria.Photographic images of horses on sale at Wodonga Saleyards.wodonga saleyards, horse sales wodonga