Foolscap report on boring operations, plans and sections by E.C. WhittellFront cover "With DC MCLachlan's complimentsdepartment of minse and agriculture, e.c. whittla, black range, albury, parish of albury

Members of the Presbyterian faith were among the first settlers in the North-east of Victoria, and in the year 1842 the Presbytery of Melbourne requested the Rev. Peter Gunn, Minister of the Gaelic Church, Melbourne, to visit Presbyterians along the Murray River. This was the first of a series of annual visits, and was of a missionary nature. In May 1851, the Rev. David Hunter Ballantyne was appointed to the Wodonga district based out of Albury. In 1860 the Presbytery of Beechworth was formed, and from it two large presbyteries have grown - Wagga Wagga and Beechworth. In the early days the services at Wodonga were held in the old court house, which still stands. Wodonga Presbyterian Church continued as part of the Parish of Albury until the end of 1887, when it was placed under the administration of the Session of the Beechworth Church, with a home missionary in charge. Mr William Cooper was placed in charge for the first months, then Mr William Smith, a city missionary who had recently arrived from Scotland, was appointed. Mr Smith conducted a cordage factory at Stonleigh. He remained as missionary in charge for the next 10 years, and in that time the church steadily progressed. Plans were made for the erection of the building which now stands in High Street, Wodonga. Mr John Whan was a Founding Member of the Church and was appointed Sunday School Superintendent, an office which he held for 46 years, rendering extensive and valued service to the church and congregation. With a growing congregation and realising the challenges presented to the Church by changing conditions, land for a new church was sought. In September 1950 property was purchased in Nilmar Avenue in Wodonga and the new Presbyterian Church St Stephens became their new home. With the amalgamation of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, the new Church became the Uniting Church. The original Presbyterian Church was later sold to the Free Serbian Orthodox Church.These photographs are significant because they provide evidence of the changing nature of religious worship and groups in Wodonga.A collection of black and white photographic images depicting the first Presbyterian Church at Wodonga. The Church was later taken over by the Free Serbian Orthodox Church.presbyterian church, free serbian orthodox church, wodonga churches

When Mrs Julia Ronan nee Arundel lost her husband John to tuberculosis in 1906, she quickly decided to move from their small farm into Wodonga with her 3 children. She was granted the lease of the ground she needed to establish her eating house at one shilling per year in a shed on the Dalgety's saleyard block. Two established merchants Albert Schlink and John Whan and butcher Jack Garrett agreed to allow her credit which enabled her to open Ronan's Dining Rooms at the Saleyards. It was often a challenging environment, with drovers, and horse- breakers, auctioneers and bushmen bringing huge mobs of cattle and horses to the saleyards. Stories of the premises include the unexpected arrival in the passage of a lively bullock which finished up on the girls' bed. Mrs Ronan persevered and beat all obstacles to finally move from the saleyards to the Wodonga Coffee Palace in High Street, beside the railway gates in 1921. The construction of the Hume Weir had begun and some construction workers boarded at the Coffee Palace. Her 3 children achieved success due to their mother’s hard work to ensure their futures. Bill trained for the priesthood and was a parish priest, but died from tuberculosis 1n 1939 aged of 41. Katie became a highly accomplished music teacher, including 32 years at Albury Public School. In the 1930s she was able to buy a house at 49 High Street, Wodonga where she lived with her mother and sister Mary. Mary trained in office work at Edmondson’s solicitors and then worked on the Albury Council. After living with her daughters in the High Street house, Julia passed away on her 90th birthday in 1958. Mary died on 6 January 1983. Katie passed away in Wodonga at the age of 97 on the 16 September 1996. All members of the family are buried at Yackandandah, Victoria.A black and white image of Miss Mary Ronan, Mrs Julia Ronan and Miss Teresa Trudewind at the Old Saleyards Dining Room, Wodonga.On front of building: DINING ROOMS/ MRS. J. RONANmrs. ronan, dining rooms wodonga sale yards, wodonga businesses, wodonga pioneers

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

Ordained 1961. Parishes: Cobram 1952, Wedderburn 1953, Foster 1956, Foster-Torra 1957–59, Womboota-Mathoura 1960–61, Port Melbourne 1962, Albert Park 1963–66, Cohuna 1967–70, Bendigo West 1971–78, Albury 1979–02/85, Black Rock 03/85. Retired 1996. One time Chairperson of Loddon-Campaspe Presbytery.Rev. John (Jock) McOrist: Head & shoulders portrait, standing adjacent to some steps. Wearing coat and tie.J McOrist, Chairman Loddon Campaspe Presbytery. Church and Nation 24 May ? p8rev. john (jock) mcorist; cobram, wedderburn, foster, melbourne, albert park, bendigo west, albury, black rock; retired 1996