Part of a collection of business documents found under the floor of a building in Main Street when it was being renovated. At that time the owner was Don Chambers, and the premises was occupied as the Chambers Riteway Supermarket. The location (134 Main Street) is currently (2022) occupied by Miegel’s Pharmacy Rutherglen. Mixed notes and commercial information relating to betting on the boat races held on Lake Moodimere. Notes are hand written in a battered notebook.On cover: "James [illeg.], Murray Racing Association" "Romeo" also some graffiti resembling wine glasses. murray racing association, lake moodemere, betting, wagers, boat racing, bookmakers, 134 main street, chambers riteway supermarket

Black and white photograph of greyhound. Geoff Barkmeyer and his dog, Henry Murray. Keith has story.clubs and associations, sport, greyhound racing

This image is one from a series of portraits taken by Rob Elliott to record the character of the Border District through the faces if its identities. Des Martin lived all his life in Wodonga, except for his years of service during World War Two. He was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. In 1937 he joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment but in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. This Battalion saw service in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. He was granted permission by the Victorian Racing Club to participate as an amateur “gentleman” rider. He became the first president of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and founded the Murray Valley Hunt Club. 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. Des also wrote several publications including “Australia Astride” in 1959, a history of the Albury Racing Club – a Century of Racing, and an historical novel “Many a Mile”. He collaborated with R. M. Williams to develop “Hoofs and Horns” to become a national publication. From 1969 to 1973, Des Martin also wrote a column for the Border Mail newspaper. He was also a member of the RSL for almost 50 years and held several committee positions during that time. Des Martin died on 12 April 1995.This is a portrait of a significant member of the Wodonga community who made an outstanding contribution as a farmer, soldier, horseman, author and member of the RSL and other community organisations.A black and white photograph of Des Martin in military uniform with his horse. The photo has been mounted in a metal frame.des martin, murray valley hunt club, 2/2nd australian pioneer battalion, albury racing club

This image was taken in Melbourne on Anzac Day 1986 where Des had taken place in the annual parade. The photo itself has had a long journey. It was donated to the Star Hotel in Yackandandah, Victoria by Des Martin in 1994. The hotel changed hands so many times that the custodian "Pip" Beatty felt it was best placed at the Light Horse Museum at Bandiana, Victoria. Its journey was complete when the photo was returned to the Wodonga Historical Society. Des Martin lived all his life in Wodonga, except for his years of service during World War Two. He was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. In 1937 he joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment but in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. This Battalion saw service in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. He was granted permission by the Victorian Racing Club to participate as an amateur “gentleman” rider. He became the first president of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and founded the Murray Valley Hunt Club. 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. Des also wrote several publications including “Australia Astride” in 1959, a history of the Albury Racing Club – a Century of Racing, and an historical novel “Many a Mile”. He collaborated with R. M. Williams to develop “Hoofs and Horns” to become a national publication. From 1969 to 1973, Des Martin also wrote a column for the Border Mail newspaper. He was also a member of the RSL for almost 50 years and held several committee positions during that time. Des Martin died on 12 April 1995.This is a portrait of a significant member of the Wodonga community who made an outstanding contribution as a farmer, soldier, horseman, author and member of the RSL and other community organisations.A coloured photograph of Des Martin in full military uniform mounted on his horse. The photo has been mounted in an oval wooden frame.des martin, murray valley hunt club, 2/2nd australian pioneer battalion, albury racing club

Des Martin lived all his life in Wodonga, except for his years of service during World War Two. He was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. In 1937 he joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment but in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion, which saw service in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. He was granted permission by the Victorian Racing Club to participate as an amateur “gentleman” rider. He was a founder of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and also the Murray Valley Hunt Club, for which he was Master for 21 years. He was a prolific writer, cartoonist, photographer and poet, contributing to The Border Morning Mail, The Age, and the Herald and Weekly Times amongst other publications. Des Martin’s other literary works included Australia Astride (1959), A Tale of Twin Cities, Part One (1981) and Backing up the Boys (1998). In 1976, Des wrote an historical novel, “Many a Mile”, based on a fictional region which highly resembled the Albury-Wodonga and Upper Murray area of Victoria. It was set in the last 10 years leading up to Federation. Throughout this period tensions (caused by fluctuating border duties, including an infamous impost on cattle and horses) occasioned the intermittent posting of heavily armed police detachments along the River Murray. Des also wrote eight 50-minute scripts from “Many a Mile” as a television series and were presented to Michael Pate, one of Australia’s leading actors and producers. Also, funding was sought through the Australian Broadcasting Commission ... unfortunately the series never came to fruition. This album is a pictorial precis, including photos and scene descriptions, created to promote the concept of the series and have it produced locally in North Eastern Victoria featuring local settings, skilled horsemen and actors. It was to be called “Ringer’s River” ... Ringer being the title accorded to either a top cattle hand, or the fastest shearer in the wool shed. Des Martin died on 12th April 1995.These albums and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Documents written to introduce the concept of "Ringer's River" to gain interest for the development of a television seriesdes martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories

This manuscript and letter represent the connection between two significant people from the North East of Victoria and their common interest in literature and development of the Upper Murray. Des Martin was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. He joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment and in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion, serving in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. Amongst other pursuits he became the first President of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and founded the Murray Valley Hunt Club. 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. As well as “Many a Mile”, Des also wrote “Australia Astride” in 1959, a history of the Albury Racing Club – a Century of Racing and a “Tale of Twin Cities” as well as collaborating with R. M. Williams to develop the “Hoofs and Horns” publication. From 1969 to 1973, Des Martin also wrote a column for the Border Mail newspaper. Des Martin died on 12th April 1995. Thomas Walter Mitchell was born at "Towong Hill" near Corryong, Victoria and was educated at Cranbrook School, Sydney and Cambridge University. A keen skier, Mitchell founded the Australian National Ski Federation, captained the Australian skiing team and won gold medals in competitions against England and New Zealand. He was an Australian champion in the downhill and long-time member of the Ski Club of Australia. In 1937 he published Australia’s first ski handbook "Ski Heil". Mitchell joined the Second Australian Imperial Force in 1940 and was a Captain in the 2/22nd Battalion and Headquarters 8th Division. He was captured and interned in Changi POW camp until 1945. Tom Mitchell served as the Country Party Member for Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1947 to 1976. He was awarded the C.M.G. “For distinguished services to the Community, particularly in the fields of Politics, Alpine Sports and Safety, and Writing.” He died on 4th February 1984. This volume is significant because it is the manuscript of a book written by a local Wodonga author. The letter written to Tom Mitchell contains anecdotes and details of the writing of the novel, Many a Mile.An original typed manuscript bound in blue coverboard. It is accompanied by a typed letter.des martin, tom mitchell, many a mile

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