This popular furniture business was owned and operated by Mr Les Cheesley. In about 1963 the premises of Birrell's Bakery, Miss Hamilton's Corsetry, Gouge's Dry Cleaners, and the Dalgety NZ Loan Stock & Station Agents were demolished to make way for the Wodonga Home Furnishers. Mr Cheesley was a well-respected member of the community and served 13 years as a local councillor. He was often referred to as the council’s watchdog. His contribution is commemorated in the naming of the Les Cheesley Oval, Wodonga in his honour. Mr Cheesley died in Wodonga on 29th September 1994. The business continued to operate for a few more years but the shop was demolished in 1999 to make way for the realignment of Elgin Street in central Wodonga.A colour photo of the premises of Wodonga Home Furnishers in High Steet, Wodongawodonga businesses, high street wodonga, wodonga home furnishers, les cheesley

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Retirement send off for Jack Coughlan. Back Row: Les Cheesley, Norm Davey, Wally McGeachin, Reg Mathews, David Shannon, Rex McDonnell, Tom Cosgrove (Milkman). 2nd Row: Frank Conway, Frank Thistleton, Bill Odgers, Vin Snow, Mick Seymour, Les Cross, Tom Symonds, Ted Jenkins, Ross Smith, Clarrie McNamara. 3rd Row: Bob Saul, Jack O’Donnell, Vicky Jones, Jack Coughlan, Alex Reid, Fred Leitch, Roy Wagner, Austin Fulford. Front Row: Aub Beach, Frank Rand, Lou Madjeric, Bill Baldock, Charlie Beach, Bill Welch.railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, jack coughlan

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Gathering of Railway men at a retirement function for Driver Robert Thompson in 1955. Back row Left to right: Len Gregson, David Shannon, Les Cheesley, Tom Cosgrove, Roy Wagner, George Lloyd, Alan Elvish, Mick Seymour, John, Shannon, Unknown, Unknown, Gordon Scholes, Stan Warnock Centre row Left to right: Bill Welch, Unknown, George Taylor, Ted Jenkins, Buddy Straghan, Allan Smyth, Terry Farellly, Bob Burns, Morrie Larkins, Frank Boadle, Reg Matthews, Unknown, Vin Snow, George Kruss, Tom Fitzgerald, Bob Sangster Seated: Jack Anderson, Paddy McDonald, George Padgett, Alex Reid, Bobby Thompson, Vic Jones, Jack Dawe, Colin Whitehand, Harry Binder, Bill Odgers, Hughie Fraser Front row seated: Mick Kowalzuk, Wally Riley, Ton Guinane, Bill Baldock, Brian Putt, Norm Hughes, Garnett Reid, Johnny Hallawell, Frank Conway, Steve Cuperrailways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, driver robert thompson