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

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 item is significant because it was used and distributed by a major retail business which operated in Wodonga for more than 40 years.A brown coloured plastic shopping bag with white text from Pilkington's shoes, WodongaPilkington's Shoes Wodonga 151 High St. PH: 24 1154pilkingtons shoes, wodonga businesses, wodonga businesses high street