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.A group of railway men in conversation at gathering in Wodonga. Keith Hill, John Wise, Hugh Fraser, Bob Cadman, Wal Rileyfred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga

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 The first railway union in the world was created in Melbourne in 1861 when twenty locomotive drivers banded together to form the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association of Victoria. The forerunner to the A.F.U.L.E., the Association continues today and is the oldest continuous railway union in the world. A.R.U. - The Australian Railways Union formed in September 1920 with the amalgamation of the Queensland Railways Union, the New South Wales Amalgamated Railway and Tramway Service Association, the Victorian Railway Union, the Railway and Tramway Employees Association of South Australia and the Tasmanian Railway Union. It was the first Australian all-grades organisation of railway workers and was federally registered on 8 February 1921. In 1993 the ARU merged with other unions to form the Rail Tram & Bus Industry Union.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.A group 4 men in Wodonga. Possibly at branch union meeting.Left to right: Driver R. Heathcote AFULE Branch Secretary; Guard J. Young, ARU Branch Secretary; Driver S. Withers; P. Murnane.fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga, railway trade unions

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.Employees' car park at Wodonga Railway Yards with train tracks in the foreground. The railway yards and the railway tracks ran through the middle of Wodonga from its opening on 21 November 1873 until it was closed on 9 November 2008. On 25 June 2011 a new station opened on the northern edge of the town.fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga

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 locomotive, the Y166, was one of 25 general purpose diesel-electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville NSW for the Victorian Railways between 1963 and 1968. Although built to dieselise Victoria's shunting operations and replace steam locomotives on branch line services, they were also used on mainline goods and passenger services. After closure of many branch lines across the state and the end of short pick-up goods trains, use of the class dropped. The Y166 entered service on 5 June 1968. It was withdrawn from service in November 1990 and eventually scrapped in 1991.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.Shunter Theo Edwards, Fireman Steve Ryan and Leading Shunter Lorry Beach standing on the front of a diesel pilot train, Y166. This was the last 8.30 am pilot train through Wodonga before the old Wodonga stations was closed and the railway line diverted away from the middle of Wodonga. In June 2011 a new station was opened on the northern edge of the town. On side of train "Y166"fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga, y class diesel locomotives

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 The first railway union in the world was created in Melbourne in 1861 when twenty locomotive drivers banded together to form the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association of Victoria. The forerunner to the A.F.U.L.E., the Association continues today and is the oldest continuous railway union in the world.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.A group members at a branch meeting of the A.F.U.L.E in Wodonga.Left to right: Mick Bergin, Mick Seymour, Mick O’Brien, Les Hallawell, John Wortman, John Hickey, Fred Rochow, Kevin Hammond, Ray Newton, Paul Hines, Peter Murnane, Paul Byrne, Keith Porter, Benny Hill, Mick Mathews, Keith Moore.fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga, railway trade unions, australian federated union of locomotive enginemen

During WW1 soldiers communicated with family in Australia. When they were not required 'in-the-field' they occupied themselves with souvenirs and art work. This includes his ration book and tickets, and artwork consisting of 2 leaves, a fan and Xmas Card all attached to a white piece of paper. This collection may have been attached to the paper by family in Australia or by Percy before his return.Pte. Percy Sutton No. 3942 served in France in WW1. He joined the army on 3rd August 1915, aged 19 years and 5 months and was in the 8th Battalion. He was a railway employee, son of Margaret Sutton of William St, Wodonga. He was 5 feet 7and a half inches tall and a Methodist. He was discharged on 13th April 1919. He was born on 27th January 1897, the son of George and Margaret (nee McIntyre) Sutton. He returned to Wodonga. He died on 29th May 1971 at Mt Beauty in the Kiewa Valley. Attached to white paper a collection of souvenirs from WW1. It includes a Ration book and tickets, 2 gum leaves with French coloured ribbons, a fan inscribed with 'Forget me Not' and a 'Christmas Greetings' Card.On the Ration book - "Sutton, P. Pte. No. 3942". End of Leave or Duty: "7-1-19". Signed: "G.E.Tait" Stamped: "No. 1 Command Sutton Veny"pte. percy sutton, ww1 soldier

Len and Merle Pilkington came to Wodonga from Wonthaggi in 1946. Len had been an employee on the Victorian railways. They both gained employment with J. Mann & Son of Wodonga where Len became manager of the Shoe Department. When the Sumsion’s shoe shop became available Len and Merle bought it in partnership with Ernie Mann. The partnership dissolved a year later and Len and Merle continued as Pilkington’s Shoes. In the 1950s, the shoe repair shop belonging to Nick Hauser was up for sale and Len and Merle extended their business. In the mid-1950s they were joined by their son Barry who continued to work there in a variety of roles including shoe repairer, salesman and accountant. Over the life of Pilkington’s Shoes they operated from two different locations in High Street, Wodonga. At one stage the business provided a living for six staff, but the impact of the recession of 1982 – 83, competition from chain store discount prices and a reduced demand for high quality shoes took their toll on the business and Barry Pilkington closed his doors in 1993 after several decades serving the Wodonga community. This Calendar promoted “Paddle” shoes. Paddle Bros. Shoes Pty. Ltd. was started by Joe Paddle and his seven sons, from a small shed in Carlton. Paddle then moved to a factory in Fitzroy and later in Mornington and Ballarat. In 1982 Paddle Bros. Shoes Pty. Ltd. was purchased by Rivers (Australia) Pty. Ltd. These images and calendar are significant because they document a long standing business in Wodonga.A coloured Calendar from Pilkington's Shoe Store Wodonga advertising Paddle Shoes. It is accompanied by some black and white images of the owners and premises.Paddle Games Calendar With compliments from Pilkingtons Shoes The Friendly Footwear Store 106 High St., Wodonga Telephone: 560 Paddle for longer shoe wear - proper foot care.pilkingtons, wodonga businesses, pilkingtons shoes

Bradford Kendall was established in 1922 by Lesley Bradford and Jim Kendall, investing their winnings on a race horse. They both previously worked at the BHP Steel Works. They gained contracts with the railways and mining industry. During World War II they also manufactured armaments. During the boom of the 1950s they established several foundries in South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria. Bradford Kendall Ltd Wodonga foundry was established in 1954. It melted down old railway wheels, rails and redundant machinery to produce a range of low-alloy steel products, especially for earth-moving vehicles, railways, oil rigs and sugar factories. Wodonga was ideally placed as a change point between the different rail gauges of Victoria and New South Wales, close to the Hume Highway and the Snowy Mountain Scheme. The first sod for the site was turned on 2nd June 1954 and the first melt and pour of molten metal at Wodonga took place on 7th July 1954. Bradford Kendall Plant No.5 in Wodonga became one of the most profitable foundries in the Bradford Kendall group. Bill Black became the first plant Manager, a position he held for 30 years. Another long term employee was Pat Gooding who began work at a 15 year old and retired for the position of Bradken foundry Manufacturing Manager 51 years later. In the early 1980s, Australian National Industries Ltd bought Bradford Kendall and other heavy engineering companies. The Wodonga foundry with its (then) 170 or so staff became part of Bradken Consolidated along with nine other foundries in Australia and New Zealand. In 1989, Kerry Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings Ltd took control of ANI. In January 1999, Smorgon Steel Group acquired ANI, which included the Bradken business. The company changed hands again in 2001 when Smorgon Steel Group sold Bradken to Castle Harlan Australian Mezzanine Partners (CHAMP). In 2016 negotiations began for Bradken to be taken over by Hitachi Construction for A$689 million. In April 2017 Bradken became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Limited.A collection of black and white images and advertising for Bradford Kendall (Bradken) Wodonga.bradford kendall, wodonga industries, wodonga businesses

2 small booklets for instruction related to traffic control and signals, Both have paper covers, one on red paper and the other is pink. Each one is bound with staples along the centre fold and printed in black ink.fiction These manuals were printed by Victorian Railways in 1927 and 1969 and therefore document the changes in signalling systems over this time frame.vline training, railways victoria, railways signalling systems

The Victorian Railways oil can/feeder was used to oil various parts of engines of trains as part of the maintenance of trains. This would have been carried out by employees in the 'Rolling Stock Branch' of Victorian Railways, which included the maintenance and operation of locomotives and rolling stock. It was donated by a resident of Wodonga, and the Wodonga train line and train station opened in November 1873 when the section of the line from Wangaratta to Wodonga was completed. The expansion of Victorian Railways to the northeast of Victoria occurred after the Victorian Government took over the railways in 1867 and the trains serviced large towns such as Seymour, Wangaratta and Wodonga, as well as smaller towns along the way.The oil can/feeder has local significance as it was donated by a resident of Wodonga, as well as state significance as an example of the equipment used by the Victorain Railways.Grey metal Victorian Railways oil can/feeder used to oil various parts of train engines, with a long spout, handle and a chain attached to the lid."V↑R" on the proper left side.oil can, oil feeder, vintage oil cans, vintage oil feeders, victorian

This type of rectangular dark blue painted metal railway lamp was used by train guards in the Victorian Railways in the 20th century for communication, safety and lighting. It is the same type as the lamp attached to the Victorian Railways guard's leather satchel dated to the 1970s, registration WHS 00074 on Victorian Collections online.The Victorian Railways lamp has local significance as it was donated by a resident of Wodonga, as well as state significance as an example of communication and safety equipment used by the Victorian Railways employees in the 20th century.Rectangular dark blue painted metal lamp with a large handle on the top and a circular glass disk in front of a green filter. The initials 'V.R.' are embossed on the top and both sides. White metal/aluminium rim around the clear glass disk."V.R." on the top and both sides.victorian railways lamps, v.r. lamps, vr lamps, victorian railways guard's lamp, victorian railways equipment

The blue work coveralls would have been worn as protective clothing for Victorian Railways employees working on train maintenance and workshop tasks in the later part of the 20th century. The style of the exterior pockets on the front suggests a date of c. 1970s-1980s.The Victorian Railways coveralls have local significant as part of the Wodonga Historical Society's donations from Wodonga residents. They also have significance from a social history perspective due to the VR logo on the front and the relative rarity of protective work clothing for Victorian Railways employees.Blue Victorian Railways work coveralls, with the VR logo above the proper left pocket on the front. The blue fabric is worn and stained from use."VR" logo above the proper left pocket on the front of the coveralls. "JONES / workwear / SIZE 87 R - 5" on the side of the proper left pocket on the front of the coveralls.victorian railways, v.r., victorian railways coveralls, victorian railways prtective work clothing

The Victorian Railways jacket would have been part of a uniform for railways employees.The Victorian Railways jacket has local significance as it was donated by a Wodonga resident. It also has historic significance due to its relative rarity and representativeness as part of the uniform worn by Victorian Railways staff, as it is in relatively good condition.Blue Victorian Railways jacket, with the VR logo stitched on each lapel and silver buttons."VR" logo stiched onto the lapels of the jacket victorian railways, vr, victorian railways uniforms, railway uniforms, victorian railways jackets, v.r.

The Victorian Railways jacket would have been part of a uniform for railways employees. The Victorian Railways jacket has local significance as it was donated by a Wodonga resident. It also has historic significance due to its relative rarity and representativeness as part of the uniform worn by Victorian Railways staff. Blue/grey Victorian Railways jacket with "V.R." in gold letters on a dark blue rectangular background, stitched to each lapel and a lighter blue trim on the lower part of each sleeve."V.R." logo on each lapel.victorian railways, v.r., vr, victorian railways jackets

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.Ray Murphy was born on 4 December 1889. He started his railway career a t North Melbourne on 23 February 1910. Ray transferred to Wodonga in 1918 and passed his Driver qualification on 27 JUNE 1919. He was appointed as Special Class Driver at Wodonga on 13 January 1935. Ray was a Past Chairman of the Wodonga Branch of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees (AFULE). He retired at Wodonga in 1952.railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, driver len gregson, ray murphy

This digital image was produced from one of the glass negatives that form part of the collection, probably taken by Louis Haeusler (b.1887) with the photographic equipment in the Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection. Merry-Go-Rounds or Carousels were a popular entertainment accompanying many celebrations and events in Albury and Wodonga from as early as the mid 1870s. They featured at events such as Empire Day and Arbor Day celebrations as well as the Wodonga Racing Club meetings, Wodonga Agricultural Shows and Victory Day celebrations at the end of World War 11. They were operated by a variety of travelling showmen and entrepreneurs. Early merry-go-rounds were steam powered. The merry-go-round in this negative was owned by Anton Weniger of Melbourne. From 1909, Mr Weniger operated a shooting gallery and Steam Riding Gallery on the Lower Esplanade, St. Kilda on land he had leased in 1909 from the St. Kilda Foreshore Trust. Weniger also took his carousels by train to many rural areas, including several visits to Albury, Yarrawonga and Benalla. His largest carousel was designed and built in Melbourne by Herbert Thomson in 1915. It has now been restored and has been on show as the Civic Carousel in Canberra, ACT since 1974. Anton Weniger’s steam merry-go-round was definitely in the Albury- Wodonga area in September 1912. As reported in the Border Morning Mail on Saturday 2 November 1912, Mr. Weniger was the victim of a robbery which included some money and his gold watch and chain, stolen from a railway truck in the Wodonga railway yards. The riding gallery and other belongings had been placed on the truck in Albury after the Albury show and sent on to Wodonga in transit to Wangaratta. Whilst in the Wodonga yards the truck was broken into and the goods stolen. Two of Weniger’s former employees, Herbert Backhouse and Edmund Pressard were subsequently charged with the robbery and sentenced to respective sentences of 3 and 9 months imprisonment, both with hard labour. In January 1916, Weniger’s Steam Riding Gallery was attacked by a group of rioting soldiers as a result of rising anti-German sentiment with the onset of World War 1. As a result, Anton Weniger terminated his interest and lease of the Steam Riding Gallery to his partner, William George Kelly. Although he had lived in Victoria for over 25 years and had been a naturalised Australian for 20 years, Anton Weniger was interned for the duration of World War 1 as an enemy alien. Anton Johannes Matthias Weniger died on 14 August 1923 and is buried in the Brighton General Cemetery, Melbourne, Victoria.This item is unique and has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.Digital image created from the Haeusler Glass negative collection. A large group of people standing around a Merry-Go-Round.At top left of Merry-Go-Round "A.WENIGER./MELBOURNE"wodonga pioneers, haeusler family, glass negatives, dry plate photography, carousel, anton weniger

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. The first railway union in the world was created in Melbourne in 1861 when twenty locomotive drivers banded together to form the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association of Victoria. The forerunner to the A.F.U.L.E., the Association continues today and is the oldest continuous railway union in the world.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.A photo of David Naldrett, AFULE Chairman and Rex McDonnell, Branch Secretary, conducting a meeting in Wodonga in 1982. AFULE is the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees.railways wodonga, fred rochow, afule, railways workers unions

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.Tom Symonds and Mick Bergin in Wodongafred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, wodonga railway employees

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. Locomotive Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association - The first railway union in the world was created in Melbourne in 1861 with the formation of the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association of Victoria. The Association was formed seven years after the official opening of Victoria’s first railway line in 1854. In 1872, the association expanded to include firemen. The name of the association became the Locomotive Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association to reflect the change in constitution. Over time this Association amalgamated with organisations in other states and eventually became the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees which still operates today.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. A portrait of John Bennet Bruce. He was born on 8 February 1865. John started his railway career in North Melbourne on 13T February 1885. He achieved his driving certification in North Melbourne on 24 December 1899. John became President of the North Melbourne branch of in 1910. He transferred to Wodonga in 4 September 1914.railways wodonga, fred rochow, john bennet bruce, locomotive engine drivers and firemen’s association