Patrick Toole was born in Corowa on 7 September 1913. In the early 1930s the family moved to Wodonga. Pat became an apprentice mechanic with Bill Dobbie and became a partner in 1936. Patrick Toole took over business in his own right on 23 August 1939. Toole’s Motors also ran a car and truck agency, a towing and crane depot, as well as a small disposal section. After breaking his leg in 1963, Pat extended the disposals business and by 1965 it was running as Wodonga Disposals and later, Toole’s Disposals. At their peak Toole’s employed 70 people across their various businesses including the garage, wreckers, towing businesses, a storage shed at Bandiana and the Disposal Store. Pat died in Wodonga on 10 November 1976 and the Disposals Store was taken over by his twin sons, Frank and Bill. His other sons, Pat and Jim ran the North Eastern Truck Wreckers. Tooles Disposals acquired most of their stock from Government auctions and also became licensed second hand dealers. They sold a wide range of military and non-military equipment from clothing to footwear and equipment for cooking and camping. They also shipped scrap metal to Japan and sourced uniforms and other items from Japan and East European countries. The business continued on the corner of High Street and Stanley Street for over 70 years, but the Toole family decided to sell the building in 2009. The building was eventually sold to a local business consortium in 2010. Toole’s continued to operate until May 2011. Thee building was demolished in 2013. Bill Toole continued Toole’s Disposals as an online business with numerous Australian and international clients.These images document an important and long standing business in Wodonga.A collection of images and a business card for the company of Tooles Garage and Disposals in Wodonga. Images depict the business at various stages in its development over more than 70 years.Photo 1 Beneath image - 1929 W. DOBBIE MOTOR & GENERAL ENGINEER / Con Lindsay, Alec Padgett, Bill Dobbie, Pat Toole Photo 2 Beneath image - 1940 A. L. TOOLE MOTOR & GENERAL ENGINEER / Fay Fulford, Gerry Nelder, Mick Presnell, Pat Toole Photo 3 On building - TOOLES MOTORS est. 1939/ TOOLES MOTORS PTY. LTD./ DISPOSALS/ DISPOSALS AT CITY PRICESt Photo 4 On sign - TOOLES DISPOSALS Photo 5 Business cardwodonga businesses, toole's disposals, businesses high street wodonga

Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. This photo collection is significant as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the 20th century.Wodonga, High Street West Businesses including Westpac, Wodonga Jewellers, Genevieve, Andrews Chemist and Tooles Disposals. In 2012, Westpac Wodonga is still located at 141 High Street with Wodonga Jewellers remains in the neighbouring premises. There is also a Nail salon and 2 vacant premises. Tooles Disposals on the corner of High Street and Stanley Street Wodonga Jewellers was opened by Gordon and Flora McWaters in 1951. Over the years it has occupied premises at 3 different locations in High Street. Tooles Disposals, formerly Tooles Motors was established in 1939. It was taken over from William Dobbie, Automotive Engineer who set up his business on this site about 1929. It was opened by Pat Toole and later taken over by his son Bill. The Disposals part of the business was expanded in 1963 and eventually took over the entire building. The central Wodonga building was sold in 2011 and Bill and his wife Debbie moved the stock to their warehouse in Bandiana. They operated from Bandiana while also focusing on online selling. The High Street building was demolished in 2013.wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, tooles disposals

Elaine Mann was married to David Mann, a successful Wodonga businessman and community leader who passed away in Wodonga in June 2012. David was a member of the Mann family who began their business in Wodonga in 1920. Elaine was a teacher in Wodonga for many years and an active member of the community.This photo collection is of significance as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the late 20th century.Tooles Motors was established in 1939. It was taken over from William Dobbie, Automotive Engineer who set up his business on this site about 1929. It was opened by Pat Toole and later taken over by his son Bill. The Disposals part of the business was expanded in 1963 and eventually took over the entire building. They traded as a garage until 1965. The central Wodonga building was sold in 2011 and Bill and his wife Debbie moved the stock to their warehouse in Bandiana. They operated from Bandiana while also focusing on online selling. The High Street building was demolished in 2013.wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, tooles motors, tooles disposals