Wodonga Water Tower was officially opened on 4th December 1924 to store water for the town of Wodonga. Due to increased consumption demands and the construction of a large reservoir, the Water Tower was decommissioned in 1959. It stood unused until the lower section was modified and put to use as Water Tower Shoe Repairs, better known as “Cobbler’s Inn” in 1961. Albert (Bert) Green and his wife Gwen opened a shoe repair business, Water Tower Shoe Repairs, at the base of the Wodonga water tower in 1961. Gwen added a florist shop which operated for some years In 1979 Ron Turton took over the Cobbler’s Inn in partnership with his brother-in-law Len Freyer. Len entered the trade as an apprentice with Quinn's Bootmakers of Wodonga at the age of 14 and later worked with Mr. Green. Ron’s son, Justin also joined the business and took over from his father in 2018. The Cobbler’s Inn was closed in 2024.This item is significant because it was displayed outside a well-known and unique Wodonga Business for approximately 60 years.A collection of images which tell some of the story of the Cobbler's Inn in Wodonga. 1. Cobbler's Inn Sign 2. Albert Green, the first Cobbler's Inn Cobbler 3. Cobbler's Inn at base of Wodonga Water Tower 4. Cobbler's Inn sign & doorway Wodonga 5. Justin and Ron Turton. Ron and his partner Len Freyer, took over from Albert Green. Justin worked with him and later took over the business. 6. Justin & Ron Turton with original sewing machine 7. Inside the Cobbler's Inn 8. Empty shop space inside Wodonga Water Tower March 2025Cobbler's Inncobbler's inn wodonga, wodonga water tower, water tower shoe repairs

This image shows High Street, Wodonga in the late 1950s to early 1960s. The view is taken looking southwards towards the Water Tower at the end of the street. Businesses visible in the image include Currans Shoe Store, Greens Shoe Repair, a barber store, Pat's Ladies Hairdresser and Beauty Parlour, Albury Drycleaners, Jim Costello's, Bye's Butchery, Cafe, Astor Electrical goods and Victorian Producers. It is an enlargement of a Rose Series postcard. This photograph is representative of many images representing High Street, Wodonga as it developed over time. The Rose Series of postcards is a series of postcards of scenes from around Australia and some international ones as well. They were produced by the Rose Stereograph Company, which was the business of Victorian photographer George Rose (1861-1942). In 1880, George, aged 19, founded his business in Victoria, and soon became famous for producing stereographs, or stereo views. His early images included the landing at Anzac Cove, Ned and Dan Kelly’s Armour (taken at trial in 1880), The Duke & Duchess of York and their daughter Princess Elizabeth and Phar Lap winning the Melbourne Cup. When stereographs lost popularity during the 1920s, Rose switched to the production of postcards and decorative cards. He and his team of photographers took thousands of photos of scenery around Victoria and beyond, and the postcards became iconic images of Australian life. The Rose Stereograph Company Collection comprising more than 100,000 items was auctioned by Lloyds in June 2021. This image shows the main street of Wodonga and allows us to trace its development over time.A large photo printed on canvas. It shows High Street Wodonga in the late 1950s, looking southwards towards the water tower.high street wodonga, wodonga businesses, wodonga 1950s