Red gum shield was made from a piece of the Ovens River punt which served as a river crossing at the Sydney Hotel two centuries ago and which had lain on the river bed for approximately 100 years. The punt was raised by members of the Royal Australian Engineers whose names, unit and badge apear on the shield in the early 1970s.Red gum shield was made from a piece of the Ovens River punt which served as a river crossing at the Sydney Hotel two centuries ago and which had lain on the river bed for approximately 100 years. The punt was raised by members of the Royal Australian Engineers whose names, unit and badge appear on the shield in the early 1970s. In 2019, after nearly 70 years at Balcke House, the Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch will take up new residence at the Sydney Hotel.Red Gum timber in shape of shield with crest and plaque.Crown of Australian Engineers above a list of the soldiers who worked on the project. Attached is a card which states :- This red gum shield was made from a piece of the Ovens River punt which served as a river crossing at the Sydney Hotel two centuries ago and which had lain on the river bed for approximately 100 years. The punt was raised by members of the Royal Australian Engineers whose names, unit and badge appear on the shield in the early 1970s. It was made and presented to the Wangaratta RSL by Jim Sloan of Wangaratta.ovens river, sydney hotel wangaratta

The photo shows "William Clarke" who owned and operated the first commercial Punt across the Ovens River during the goldrush daysthe photograph shows "William Clarke" who was one of the first pioneers of the township of Wangaratta as it is now known. He also built one of the first hotels in Wangaratta.Brown wooden framed photograph, greyish background with silver surround around photo of William Clarke, one of Wangaratta's foundation pioneers. The wood is from the first punt. He was the owner of the first punt to cross the Ovens river, which he had built for 500 pounds. It was sunk in 1855 after the first bridge across the Ovens river was built.William Clarke1 1839 Wangaratta William Clarke 11 William Clarke 111(my father) Nell Clarke 1884-1965 William Clarke 1 Pioneer of Wangaratta Vic. 1839 This frame is made of oak from the punt he operated over the Ovens River during the goldrush days to Beechworthclarke family, punt, sydney hotel