non-fictionA detailed history of the Wodonga Rotary Club, formed in 1953. Includes information on its formation, key participants and the valuable role it has played in the community.rotary club wodonga, service clubs wodonga, community service

The Pollard Archway was named for Charles Pollard, who was the son of an early settler at Bonegilla. Charles Pollard was awarded the MBE for his involvement in community service, he was Secretary of the Murray Valley Shows Association, Shire President in 1926-27, 1945-46 and 1946-47. He was Foundation President of the Wodonga Show Society, and North-Eastern representative of the Dairymen’s Association of Victoria. The arch is 29 metres wide and 15 metres high and consists of two boomerangs coming together to form an archway. Originally spanning across a single carriageway of the Lincoln Causeway, the arch was opened by Princess Alexandra of Kent in 1959 and was built for £1230. When the Country Roads Board said the causeway would have to be duplicated in 1973, a new home was required for the arch. The arch was moved in 1975 to allow for widening of the Lincoln Causeway and spent some time in storage. It was re- erected in Hamilton Smith Drive in 1982 after restoration by the Rotary Club of Belvoir-Wodonga. At the request of the Wodonga Show Society, the arch was moved to the entrance of the showgrounds in 1982. After development of the precinct in 2015, the Pollard Arch was erected on Hamilton Smith Drive Wodonga.These images represent the construction and then subsequent of structure acknowledging the contribution of Councillor Pollard to the community of Wodonga.A series of black and white images documenting the construction and opening of the Pollard arch on the Lincoln Causeway in Wodonga in 1959. A coloured photo from 1965 is also included.wodonga pioneers, pollard family, pollard archway

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies and the Belvoir Wodonga Rotary Club. Grace was an active member of several organisations including the CWA, Red Cross, the Wodonga Show Ladies' Auxiliary and the Victorian Agricultural Societies Association. This uniform was owned by Grace Hamilton-Smith. She achieved recognition for more 20 years of service to the Red Cross.This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It is part of a significant collection from the Hamilton-Smith family of Wodonga and reflects important aspects of social history including the roles of women and their contribution to the community. A tan coloured Red Cross uniform and badges worn C1940sred cross australia, hamilton-smith collection, wodonga red cross

Graham Wells Middleton was born in Corryong in Northeast Victoria in 1935. He was the first person to swim the length of the Murray River. He began on November 30th 1991 at Bringenbong, near Corryong. After completing a distance of 2366 kilometres over 138 consecutive days, Graham finished his marathon swim in Lake Alexandrina, South Australia on April 14th 1992. This feat was recognised in The Guiness Book of Records and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Corryong. His motivation was to raise money to help children with cancer. In the process he raised $100,000 for cancer research which made Graham Middleton the first individual in Australia to raise $100,000 for the cause. In the weeks and months after his swim ended, donations continued to be made, with the final total exceeding $200,000. The proceeds raised by the swim were donated to " Kids 'n' Cancer" and the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. Graham Middleton died on October 27, 1995This photo is significant as Graham Middleton was a resident of Northeast Victoria who made an outstanding contribution to the community and to supporting medical research as a result as the Murray River swim depicted in this image.A black and white photo of Graham Middleton, a marathon swimmer who swam the Murray River. The photo has been mounted in a metal frame.graham middleton, murray river, murray river swim

Elaine Margaret Milnes of Tallangatta married David Ernest Mann of Wodonga on 30 March 1957. At the time of their first meeting, Elaine was living in Tallangatta where her father had moved as a bank manager. She was a member of the Drama Club. She and David met at the Rutherglen Town Hall whilst attending an Arts Festival. David was attending as a member of the Wodonga Music Club. David Mann was the son of Ernest and Evelyn Mann of Wodonga who had operated the family business since 1921. David joined the business in 1945 and became the managing director of Mann Wodonga from 1965. Under his management and leadership, it expanded to become one of Australia’s largest regional shopping centres, with a Supermarket, Hardware Store, Steel Store, Plumbing and Industrial supplies store, at one stage employing over 100 people. He continued to head the business until it was sold in 2006. He was a leader in many other fields in the Wodonga community, from leading the Wodonga Chamber of Commerce to scouting, Apex and Rotary and was a prime mover in establishing Aware Industries for people with disabilities. He chaired the Wodonga Chamber of Commerce on several occasions. David was a man of vision who was involved in many charitable and community organisations. These included membership of the hospital board and President of the Wodonga High School Council. was a prime mover in establishing Aware Industries for people with disabilities. Elaine also played an active role in the business. She developed and managed a quality giftware department from 1969 to 1987. Some of her local involvements included the School Mothers’ Club and Kindergarten, Girl Guides, the Quota and Penguin Clubs and Meals on Wheels. David also advocated passionately for the development of a university and TAFE to be established in Wodonga. In 1993 he inaugurated the Jonathan Mann lectures series at La Trobe University in honour of his grand­father. The university honoured Mr Mann in two significant ways, giving him an honorary degree of Doctorate of Law in 1998 and in 2002 named its new library the David Mann Library. David Mann died in Albury in June 2012. Elaine now (2024) lives in Melbourne. “The little I have done for Wodonga and district is only in return for what Wodonga and district has done for me.” David MannThis dress was worn by Elaine Milnes at her marriage to David Mann who became a prominent businessman and contributor to many aspects of the Wodonga community.A wedding dress dating from 30 March 1957. The dress consists of a fitted bodice with tulle frills around the body. The bodice has a square neckline decorated with tiny seeded pearls and blue stones. The long sleeves are made of sheer tulle with lace and a frill at the wrist. The skirt is made of two layers of white tulle with five lace and tulle frills around the body. Under the tulle is a pale blue satin slip with two more layers of white tulle underneath it. It was worn with a fingertip length veil held in place by a lace coronet. The bridal bouquet consisted of red and white roses. The bride also wore a single string of pearls. The dress was made by Olive Ferris Wedding Dresses of Sydney.mann wodonga, david mann, elaine mann, wodonga businesses