A pottery factory at 129 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn. Became the PMG mail sorting centre and is now a Sikh Temple, GURUDWARAnon-fictione g greenway pty ltd, gurudwara sikh, postal services

Sikh hawkers were a regular sight throughout the Wodonga and Upper Murray district in the early 20th century. The regular visitors to the area included Pola Singh and Gambil (Gamble) Singh. Gamble Singh often camped on McKoy’s Moorefield property in West Wodonga and several other places around the district. Gamble was also a horse breeder and had several draught horses to pull his wagon. Like many of the hawkers he worked hard to send money back to support family in India. He apparently returned to India about 1950, but left some money in the Bank of NSW in Wodonga in case he returned. He allegedly died soon after and the money was eventually able to be claimed by his nephews in India. A small overlooked park in Wodonga is named the “Gamble Singh Park” in his memory. J. Flanagan who operated the Halfway Hotel commented on having as many as seven or eight bullock teams “yoked” overnight to the fence outside the hotel as well as 100 or more Indian hawkers – led by the fondly known Pola (Pollah) Singh. The hawkers returned to Wodonga annually to renew their hawkers’ license and camped on the flats, or also came to Wodonga to collect orders at the railway station to stock up their supplies. Pola Singh was often based at the Colac Colac reserve near Corryong and had on board his compatriot Isar Singh. He often acted as an intermediary between the individual hawkers and the authorities. Unfortunately, it was Pola’s habit to walk in front of his wagon at the start of each day. On the morning of 23 June 1923 his horses were restive and hard to control. They took flight and ran Pola down on the road near Cudgewa. He was rushed to the Corryong Hospital but died there a few days later, aged 65. Pola was cremated, with some of his ashes scattered in the Murray River and some returned to his homeland to be scattered in the Ganges River. His cremation was listed in the Obituary page of the Weekly Times, Melbourne on Saturday 14 July 1923. A small memorial to Pola Singh is located in the Corryong Cemetery.These images are significant because they help to document the history of the Sikh Hawkers who plied their services to Wodonga and throughout rural Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.A collection of black and white images featuring Sikh Hawkers Gamble Singh and Pola Singh take in the Wodonga area.indian hawkers, sikh hawkers, gamble singh, pola singh

The State Government budget has included allocations for Koonung Secondary College, Morton Park, North East Link and the Blackburn Sikh Temple.The State Government budget has included allocations for Koonung Secondary College, Morton Park, North East Link and the Blackburn Sikh Temple.koonung secondary college, secondary schools, morton park, blackburn, sikh temple, blackburn, north east link

A 13 year old Watsonia boy was threatened and assaulted by other teens on the bus.News clipping, black text.bullying, racism, sikhs

Christmas time at sea has traditionally been a key focus of Mission services to seafarers. It has also been a location where family members or friends can meet up briefly. This image was taken at the Hastings Mission to Seafarers.Part of a collection of Hasting Memorabilia collected by Keith and Pat Dann over a number of years. Prior to helping set up Hastings mission Keith Dann was also an active member at 717 Flinders St Mission.small colour photograph depicting decorated Christmas tree two seated and one standing seafarer. Also an older Sikh gentleman and his wife, possibly related to one of the seafarers. A chess and draughts confutable in foreground. christmas, hastings mission, keith dann, pat dann, pool table, television

There is no information available with this item. The photograph was possibly taken at the old showground in Orbost and may be associated with a church function. It may have been taken at a sports ground or at a race meeting. The rotunda may be a judge's stand.A black / white photograph / postcard. There is a large group of children girls in white dresses which have sashes or garlands. They are partnered with boys in suits. They are in a paddock in formation. There is an audience of mostly men watching them. In the right front is a group of men, wearing turbans, who appear to be Sikhs. In the background is a rotunda. there is a very faded indecipherable stamp on right side.children

The 8 Kings/Queens Royal Irish Hussars was affiliated with 8th Light Horse and later 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Gifts and visits were exchanged between the regiments. The artist, Henry Martens (b. 1790, London; d. 1868, London) was an English military illustrator and artist. He created works for the firm of Rudolf Ackermann who ran the Eclipse Sporting Gallery at 191 Regent Street. The majority of these depicted military uniforms and battle scenes, particularly images of the Sikh Wars and the Kaffir Wars. He worked mainly in water-colour although a few oil paintings do exist.Framed print of "Visiting the Outposts" by Henry Martens. This was a gift to 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles from its affiliated regiment 8 Queens Royal Irish Hussars in 1980.Presented by Queens Royal Irish Hussars 1980military, light horse, hussars, irish, martens, girt, affiliation