The bridge over Wodonga Creek was opened on Friday 20th October 1922 by the Minister For Public Works Mr Frank. The erection of the bridge was carried out by Mr L Carr, of Brighton. The new concrete bridge was a little more than 500 feet long and consisted of 12 spans. The decking was supported by a number of steel girders, each weighing approximately seven tons. The whole bridge was supported by rows of three cylinders, sunk to a depth of 26ft below the summer water level. The original estimated cost of the structure was £20,000, but with the extras added during construction this amount was exceeded.These photos are significant because the capture the construction of an important bridge between Albury and Wodonga.Three black and white photographs taken during the construction of the new bridge over the Wodonga Creek in 1920.wodonga bridges, wodonga creek

The Wodonga Creek Stock Bridge was constructed by the Country Roads Board in 1939. The date was recorded on a small plaque attached to one of the trestles. The bridge is an important reminder of one of the industries Wodonga was built on — cattle. It was constructed to develop a new stock route between Albury and Wodonga which would direct cattle away from the main bitumen roads and traffic bridges to the Wodonga Saleyards, where thousands of sheep and cattle were sold each month. It is a moderately tall timber trestle road bridge consisting of nine spans, with a deck length of 76 metres and deck width of 4.5 metres, and a maximum span length of 8.5 metres. The substantial timber deck featured decking laid horizontally and longitudinal running planks laid on top of it. The bridge also has timber side safety rails to discourage livestock from straying over the side. The bridge also became the centre of summer social activity for the young people of Wodonga as the area became a gazetted swimming area before the Wodonga Swimming Pool was constructed in 1959. In 1980 the Wodonga Saleyards were relocated to Bandiana to the east of the city. This meant that Wodonga Creek Stock Bridge was no longer needed for its original purpose. Although listed as a significant site by the Victorian Heritage and National Heritage Trust on 3/08/1998, the bridge fell into disrepair and also suffered damage from several floods. A suspension Bridge was constructed beside the Stock Route Bridge in 2013 and the old bridge was closed to traffic. Major damage caused by several floods, including a major flood in 2022 has resulted in the bridge being unsafe and its future is uncertain. The model of the Wodonga Creek Stock Bridge in our Collection made by Mr John Wild, depicts its current condition.The Wodonga Creek Stock Bridge is significant for technical, historic and social reasons and has been registered at the State Heritage level. It is of technical significance as a nine span bridge with tall timber trestles. Large bridges of this type are now very rare in Victoria. It is of historic significance as a surviving structurally authentic bridge designed specifically for livestock and drover use, on a historic stock route. The Stock Bridge is of social significance for its location at a popular riverside leisure spot since its construction in 1939.A collection of photographic images depicting the Wodonga Creek Stock Bridge. It contains both black and white and coloured images taken at different times in the Stock Bridge's history. A model of the Bridge made for Our Society is also included.wodonga creek stock bridge, wodonga heritage

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This digital image was produced from one of the glass negatives that form part of the collection, probably taken by Louis Haeusler (b.1887) with the photographic equipment in the Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection. This item is unique and has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.Digital image created from the Haeusler Glass negative collection. Two men sitting outside a wood and bark miner's hut at Felltimber Creek near Wodonga.wodonga pioneers, haeusler family, glass negatives, dry plate photography, felltimber creek, mining victoria

Felltimber Creek Road is on the south-eastern edge of West Wodonga. It was originally covered in bushlandA large black and white image of cows grazing in a paddock. Image is in a metal and glass frame.felltimber creek, wodonga 1980s, wodonga scenes

A small booklet featuring photos and anecdotes published for the Centenary Celebrations of Leneva State School.non-fictionConstruction of the Leneva School number 1506 - then called Middle Creek - was completed by January 30th 1875. The contracted builder was Mr. Jas. O'Keefe and his tender for the school and residence was £245-8-0. The school was opened on 10th May 1875 with George S. Manns as Head Teacher. The first building was a structure of Murray Pine, with a slate roof. The building consisted of 4 rooms and a lean-to veranda. Three of these rooms formed a residence and the remaining one was the classroom. Classes began with about 40 children attending grades 1-6. Lessons were also held for older people if they desired them. Head Teacher Manns remained in charge for 20 years. Leneva West School No 2195 (originally called Middle Creek West) was opened in 1879 with Agnes Short as Head Teacher. It only operated part time in conjunction with Wooragee North School. Its use appears to have been intermittent based on the number of student enrolments. It finally closed on 9th October 1951 and any students were conveyed by bus to Leneva State School. This booklet was published for the celebration of the Leneva Schools Centenary in 1975.leneva state school, wodonga schools, education wodonga, middle creek state school

Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her photos are held in the Society Collection. The Wodonga Post Office was constructed on the corner of Sydney Road (High Street) and South Street in 1874. It was Wodonga’s second Post Office. The original post office opened on June 1, 1856 near Wodonga Creek. This building was originally built of red brick, although it was later painted over in white. It had an attached residence in South Street and was connected to it by a door. The residence was later demolished to move the mail boxes which had faced High Street, to South Street. The brick Telephone Exchange was constructed in 1946 behind the Post Office but separated from it. It operated as a manual exchange until the late 1960’s or early 1970’s. In 1985 a new post office was opened further south in High Street. This building, greatly renovated, is now part of the Wodonga Community College.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. A black and white image of the 2nd Wodonga Post Office. There are 6 windows across the front of the building and the name Wodonga Post Office below a round clock. To the left of the building is the royal insignia of the crown above the letters E.R. A sign for the Commonwealth Saving Bank of Australia is also attached to the wall.high st wodonga, wodonga post office, businesses wodonga

Mrs Barbara Emery, born in Beechworth in 1914 was one of the original members of the Wodonga community who formed a Committee and lobbied for the building of a swimming pool in Wodonga. This was prompted after many near misses and a drowning at the popular swimming spot in Wodonga Creek. She and her husband Bob, along with other Committee members lobbied the Wodonga Council and were finally able to negotiate land which fronted onto Stanley Street, Wodonga. Members of the Committee worked tirelessly to fund raise and also to build the pool itself. Countless working bees were organised to complete the construction and surrounds. The pool opened on 12th December 1959. Mr Bob Emery became the manager and Grace ran the kiosk for many years. Later reflecting on her life in the Wodonga community Mrs Emery stated, “To get the pool was a highlight in my life, the satisfaction that we could save lives.” After years of heated discussion about the future of the Stanley Street pool and the construction of a new pool, it finally closed on 31 March 2012. Mrs Emery died in Wodonga.This membership badge is significant because it was awarded to a member of the Wodonga community to recognise her service.A gold plated and enamelled badge attached to a red enamelled bar. The badge is engraved on the front.On bar;- LIFE MEMBER On badge; 1991 GRACE EMERYgrace emery, wodonga swimming pool, life membership grace emery

Paul Huon's son, William, arrived at "Belvoir Homestead" on the Woodonga Run in 1857 to learn the management of the Run so he could take over the role from his Uncle Charles. He spent five years residing at "Belvoir." In 1862 he built a new stone home on Wodonga Creek at the base of Huon's Hill. William gave this home the family traditional name " De Kerilleau." In the 1870s, William built the "de Kerilleau" homestead that still stands today. The first "De Kerilleau" homestead was almost completely demolished in 1907. It is a solid two storey red brick building with cream brick flat window arches. The main feature of the house is its two-storey cast-iron verandah which has been restored to its original condition. When the Governor, Sir George Bowen, his wife and two daughters needed accommodation overnight after having taken part in the celebration of the railway in Wodonga in 1873, they stayed at de Kerilleau. Sir George planted a Moreton Bay fig tree in the grounds and it still stands today. The historic homestead became the property of the Watson family in 1922 and again changed hands in recent years. It is listed by the National Trust.Donated by Des Martin & Rosemary BoyesPart of a set of original sketches by Des Martin for "A Record of the 150th Anniversary" Celebrations of the Rural City of Wodonga held on 30th October 1986.huon family, early wodonga

Alexander Sutherland Bremner was born in Lyster, Scotland in about 1890. He migrated to South Australia and by 1914 was stationed in Mount Gambier as a missionary in connection with St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. At that stage he was a student of Divinity. He moved to Victoria and served in Beech Forest and Kyabram. After three years in Kyabram, Reverend Bremner transferred to Wodonga in April 1919. Although only in Wodonga for two years, Reverend Bremner quickly became highly regarded in the community for the compassion he brought to his calling. He was particularly concerned about the welfare of boys in Wodonga and became involved in the Scouts as well as establishing the Wodonga Boys’ Club. Although the Boys’ Club had been formed through the Church it was open to all local boys. Tragedy struck on 20th November 1920 when Reverend Bremner was accompanying a group of boys on an outing to the Wodonga Creek. In order to stop the boys from entering a deep water hole he positioned himself on a log between it and the shallower water. Unfortunately he slipped off the log himself and fell into the waterhole. He was unable to swim and despite the best efforts of one of the boys to rescue him, he drowned. To add further to the tragedy, his fiancé was on her way to Wodonga by train to visit Reverend Bremner for the weekend. She could not be advised of his death before arriving at the station where she expected him to be waiting. As a mark of respect, a hall was erected at the back of the Wodonga Presbyterian Church in High Street to serve as a kindergarten and Sunday School. It was officially opened on Sunday 6th November 1921 and named Bremner Hall.This album is significant because it documents the service and untimely death of a highly regarded Minister of the Presbyterian Church in Wodonga.A small brown photo album containing photos and newspaper articles chronicling the drowning of Reverend Alexander Sutherland Bremner in Wodonga.reverend a.s. bremner, presbyterian church, bremner hall

Mr Eric Sumsion was the gardening curator for Wodonga Shire in 1956. He had previously operated a bootmaker’s shop in High Street, Wodonga for many years. Eric saw the potential of the area in Wodonga now known as Belvoir Park and asked permission to work on part of the area. He eventually purchased a house adjoining the area giving him more time and easy access to work on it. The Lagoon, Lake Huon, Belvoir Lagoon, Belvoir Park and Sumsion Gardens are all names used over time for what is today one of Wodonga’s favourite recreation and picnic spots. In the 1800s river boats could enter Lake Huon from Wodonga Creek. There was a jetty south of where the water fountain is today. In later years, this jetty was used by the Clay Bird Shooting Club. From the early 1900s football and cricket were played there, and some mining leases were also allowed. At one time there were open gravel pits between House Creek and the main lagoon, and these were subsequently filled with town garbage collected by the Council. In the late 1940s, Wodonga Golf Club took over part of Belvoir Park for a 9-hole golf course with sand greens. The Golf Club House was built in 1946. The Club extended the course to 12-holes when the football ground moved to Martin Park and the course later extended to 18 holes. Under Eric Sumsion’s care the area became a magnificent area of parkland and curated gardens. After he had retired in 1961 his work was acknowledged by the Shire Engineer, Mr Bill Page, when the Sumsion Gardens were named in his honour. He was also responsible for the design and curating of many other gardens in Wodonga, including those at Sarah Coventry and Richardson Park. Eric Sumsion died in July 1988, aged 85.This item is significant because it acknowledges the dedication and commitment of Eric Sumsion to the Wodonga Community.A collection of photographic images and an advertisement related to the work of Eric Sumsion in Wodonga.eric sumsion, parks and gardens wodonga

Land for the Methodist Church in Wodonga was reserved in 1864. By 1865 the Reverend Francis Neale, a Wesleyan minister was appointed to Albury from where he supervised the congregation at Wodonga Creek until a church was built in 1873. By 1885 Wodonga and the other preaching places on the Victorian side of the Murray had become a separate circuit under the Reverend L. J Rowlands. This circuit included Bethanga. Kiewa. Leneva, Kergunyah and Bonegilla. In the 1960s the Methodist congregation built a new chapel in Hovell Street, Wodonga. The creation of the Uniting Church during the 1970s meant that the services were held in the former Presbyterian Church and joint Sunday School classes were conducted in the Methodist Hall. In 1961 the Church building and land was purchased by the Ukrainian Community for £2,000. Ukrainian Catholic families in Wodonga donated £100 each towards the purchase. Additional fund raising such as carol singing in nearby towns (Benalla, Wangaratta, Albury and Wodonga) assisted with the purchase of the Church. The former Methodist Church was in poor condition and the members of its new congregation undertook the replacement of the floor, the footings, replastering of the walls and the construction of an altar. The renovations cost a further £400. Once a month a priest came up from Melbourne to conduct services in the Church. On completion it was blessed by Bishop Ivan Prasko to become St Olga's Catholic Church (Ukrainian). In 1965 the Church was dedicated to its patron St Volodymir, with Bishop Varlamm (Sydney) and Bishop Donat (Melbourne) taking part in the ceremony. The members of the Ukrainian Catholic community also built a hall and smaller chapel in Hunt Street, Wodonga. With a declining congregation, this property became more manageable to maintain than the original brick building and the decision was made to close the building in 2010. In 2022 the building and extensive block of land in Church Street was sold commercially for potential redevelopment.These images are significant because they depict an early Wodonga Church building.A collection of coloured photographs depicting the first Methodist Church in Wodonga, Victoria It was a red brick church with a steeply pitched gable roof and parapeted gable walls. There was a small front porch with matching roof and gable treatment to the front. Simple timber Gothic windows were along the sides, with a tri-partite window above the porch. Two sections of this window featured stained glass, the other was opaque glass. Red brick buttresses were topped with white-painted render, as were the parapets, and the windows were also outlined with white painted render. Timber joinery was painted white. A front path led directly to the porch and the Church was flanked by mature oak trees. A small, relatively modern red brick skillion extension was added to the rear of the building.wodonga churches, methodist church wodonga, ukrainian catholic church wodonga

Gabriel Louis Marie Huon de Kerilleau was born to a French aristocratic family in 1769. He escaped to England during the French Revolution and enlisted in the New South Wales Corps. He married in Parramatta to Louisa Emmanuel Le Sage. They had five children who took the name of Huon – Elizabeth, Paul, Jean Francois, Aime Augustus and Charles. Paul and Charles were to become the “founders’ of the Wodonga District. In 1824 Hamilton Hume and William Hovell discovered the Hume River, later renamed to the Murray River and the rich land surrounding it. By 1835, squatters began arriving at the Hume River. During the following year, Paul Huon arrived at the Hume (Murray) River, then "taking up" 40,000 acres on the south side of the river bank. To this property he gave the name WOODONGA RUN. Charles Huon, younger brother of Paul, was sent to manage the "Run" until Paul's son, William, became old enough to take over management. Charles Huon built a mud brick home on the eastern side of a rise south of the now Wodonga Creek. Thus was Charles the first permanent settler in the district. He was a great admirer of the English Lord Belvoir hence "Belvoir" was the name Charles Huon gave to the first permanent home on Woodonga Run. By the 1857, residents numbered fifty, and the Government had surveyed a township area, proclaiming it "Belvoir" in the new State of Victoria. However, the residents wanted their own choice of a name for the town. Huon’s first home overlooked a lagoon which was often referred to as Huon’s Lagoon. It has borne several names since then including Lake Huon and Belvoir Lagoon. After much redevelopment and many roles including the location of sporting fields and the Wodonga Golf Course, it is now known as Belvoir Park, a major parkland and recreation area in Wodonga.Donated by Des Martin & Rosemary BoyesPart of a set of original sketches by Des Martin for "A Record of the 150th Anniversary" Celebrations of the Rural City of Wodonga held on 30th October 1986.huon family, belvoir park wodonga, huon's lagoon

Gabriel Louis Marie Huon de Kerilleau was born to a French aristocratic family in 1769. He escaped to England during the French Revolution and enlisted in the New South Wales Corps. He married in Parramatta to Louisa Emmanuel Le Sage. They had five children who took the name of Huon – Elizabeth, Paul, Jean Francois, Aime Augustus and Charles. Paul and Charles were to become the “founders’ of the Wodonga District. In 1824 Hamilton Hume and William Hovell discovered the Hume River, later renamed to the Murray River and the rich land surrounding it. By 1835, squatters began arriving at the Hume River. During the following year, Paul Huon arrived at the Hume (Murray) River, then "taking up" 40,000 acres on the south side of the river bank. To this property he gave the name WOODONGA RUN. Charles Huon, younger brother of Paul, was sent to manage the "Run" until Paul's son, William, became old enough to take over management. Charles Huon built a mud brick home on the eastern side of a rise south of the now Wodonga Creek. Thus was Charles the first permanent settler in the district. He was a great admirer of the English Lord Belvoir hence "Belvoir" was the name Charles Huon gave to the first permanent home on Woodonga Run. By the 1857, residents numbered fifty, and the Government had surveyed a township area, proclaiming it "Belvoir" in the new State of Victoria. However, the residents wanted their own choice of a name for the town. A battle lasting thirteen years followed over the name of the town until the residents won in 1874 when the Victorian Government dropped the name "Belvoir" and proclaimed the town's name as "Wodonga." A local government Shire formed two years later became the Shire of Wodonga. The Huon name features in the town today including Huon Hill, Huon Creek, Huon Street and the former township and railway siding at Huon. The name "Belvoir" is used today by organisations and locations in Wodonga including Belvoir Park formerly known as Huon’s Lagoon. On 3rd October 1986 the Wodonga community celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first settlement by Charles Huon of the district that was to become Wodonga. These drawings were completed by Desmond Martin as part of a booklet produced to record the event.Donated by Des Martin & Rosemary BoyesThree portraits of members of the Huon De Kerilleau Family, pioneers of Wodonga in Victoria. charles huon, huon de kerilleau, wodonga pioneers

Gabriel Louis Marie Huon de Kerilleau was born to a French aristocratic family in 1769. He escaped to England during the French Revolution and enlisted in the New South Wales Corps. He married in Parramatta to Louisa Emmanuel Le Sage. They had five children who took the name of Huon – Elizabeth, Paul, Jean Francois, Aime Augustus and Charles. Paul and Charles were to become the “founders’ of the Wodonga District. In 1824 Hamilton Hume and William Hovell discovered the Hume River, later renamed to the Murray River and the rich land surrounding it. By 1835, squatters began arriving at the Hume River. During the following year, Paul Huon arrived at the Hume (Murray) River, then "taking up" 40,000 acres on the south side of the river bank. To this property he gave the name WOODONGA RUN. Charles Huon, younger brother of Paul, was sent to manage the "Run" until Paul's son, William, became old enough to take over management. Charles Huon built a mud brick home on the eastern side of a rise south of the now Wodonga Creek. Thus was Charles the first permanent settler in the district. He was a great admirer of the English Lord Belvoir hence "Belvoir" was the name Charles Huon gave to the first permanent home on Woodonga Run. By the 1857, residents numbered fifty, and the Government had surveyed a township area, proclaiming it "Belvoir" in the new State of Victoria. However, the residents wanted their own choice of a name for the town. A battle lasting thirteen years followed over the name of the town until the residents won in 1874 when the Victorian Government dropped the name "Belvoir" and proclaimed the town's name as "Wodonga." A local government Shire formed two years later became the Shire of Wodonga. The Huon name features in the town today including Huon Hill, Huon Creek, Huon Street and the former township and railway siding at Huon. The name "Belvoir" is used today by organisations and locations in Wodonga including Belvoir Park formerly known as Huon’s Lagoon. On 3rd October 1986 the Wodonga community celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first settlement by Charles Huon of the district that was to become Wodonga. These drawings were completed by Desmond Martin as part of a booklet produced to record the event. Stonleigh in Wodonga was once owned by Paul Huon.Donated by Des Martin & Rosemary BoyesPart of a set of original sketches by Des Martin for "A Record of the 150th Anniversary" Celebrations of the Rural City of Wodonga held on 30th October 1986.150th anniversary celebrations, huon family, early wodonga, stonleigh wodonga

Gabriel Louis Marie Huon de Kerilleau was born to a French aristocratic family in 1769. He escaped to England during the French Revolution and enlisted in the New South Wales Corps. He married in Parramatta to Louisa Emmanuel Le Sage. They had five children who took the name of Huon – Elizabeth, Paul, Jean Francois, Aime Augustus and Charles. Paul and Charles were to become the “founders’ of the Wodonga District. In 1824 Hamilton Hume and William Hovell discovered the Hume River, later renamed to the Murray River and the rich land surrounding it. By 1835, squatters began arriving at the Hume River. During the following year, Paul Huon arrived at the Hume (Murray) River, then "taking up" 40,000 acres on the south side of the river bank. To this property he gave the name WOODONGA RUN. Charles Huon, younger brother of Paul, was sent to manage the "Run" until Paul's son, William, became old enough to take over management. Charles Huon built a mud brick home on the eastern side of a rise south of the now Wodonga Creek. Thus was Charles the first permanent settler in the district. He was a great admirer of the English Lord Belvoir hence "Belvoir" was the name Charles Huon gave to the first permanent home on Woodonga Run. By the 1857, residents numbered fifty, and the Government had surveyed a township area, proclaiming it "Belvoir" in the new State of Victoria. However, the residents wanted their own choice of a name for the town. A battle lasting thirteen years followed over the name of the town until the residents won in 1874 when the Victorian Government dropped the name "Belvoir" and proclaimed the town's name as "Wodonga." A local government Shire formed two years later became the Shire of Wodonga. The Huon name features in the town today including Huon Hill, Huon Creek, Huon Street and the former township and railway siding at Huon. The name "Belvoir" is used today by organisations and locations in Wodonga including Belvoir Park formerly known as Huon’s Lagoon. On 3rd October 1986 the Wodonga community celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first settlement by Charles Huon of the district that was to become Wodonga. These drawings were completed by Desmond Martin as part of a booklet produced to record the event. Donated by Des Martin & Rosemary BoyesPart of a set of original sketches by Des Martin for "A Record of the 150th Anniversary" Celebrations of the Rural City of Wodonga held on 30th October 1986.150th anniversary celebrations, huon family

de Kerilleau was built for William Huon, son of the early pastoralist Paul Huon, in 1870 and named after the family's ancestral estate in France. The original lease of the Wodonga Run was granted to Paul Huon as No. 202 on 7th February 1837, about a year after his cousin Charles Huon had squatted on the land. Kenneth Darnton Watson bought de Kerilleau homestead in 1922 where the Watson family lived for three generations, caring for the land and serving the Wodonga community. Kenneth, his son Ian Darnton Watson and his grandson John Kenneth Darnton Watson all served on the Wodonga Council. The magnificent two storey brick homestead is built on ground above Wodonga Creek. The home of Georgian style consists of eleven rooms and a spacious cellar. At the rear of the main house in a separate single storey building was a large kitchen, pantry and accommodation for a cook and a housemaid. A feature of the homestead is the cast iron lace on the veranda and upper balcony, both supported by caste - iron pillars. The granite foundations of the home were quarried from the hill above the homestead. The enormous Moreton Bay Fig tree which stands to the side of the home was planted when Sir Charles Bowen visited de Kerilleau to mark the opening of the rail line that connects Victoria with New South Wales. Planted in 1873, it is still standing today. This painting was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by George, Digby & Dugald Watson on behalf of the late John & Chris Watson. John Kenneth Darnton Watson was born on 28 August 1960 in Wodonga. After completing his primary schooling locally, he boarded at Geelong College from 1973. John joined the rowing crews, starting in the 8th VIII crew and reaching the 1st VIII crew in 1978. He received multiple House colours awards for cross country, athletics and rowing and received School colours for rowing. On completion of his schooling, John spent some time jackarooing before studying farm management at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, Victoria. He then returned home to de Kerilleau, Wodonga to manage the family property. In 1984 John married Christine Honybun, daughter of David Lewis Honybun and Marian Josephine Edkins. John and Christine had three sons. John was community minded and involved in a number of local organisations such as Apex and agricultural societies. He was elected to Wodonga City Council in 1997, serving until 2004. Due to increased pressure on available land to cater for the growth of Wodonga, some of the property was sold and in 2003 John donated 200 ha of Huon Hill ‘s western slopes to the City of Wodonga. After this time, he moved away from farming to become a Hungry Jack's franchisee. In 2009, the hard decision was made to sell de Kerilleau and John and his family moved into Wodonga. After sadly losing Christine to cancer in 2017, John became a member and Deputy Chairperson of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Board and Ambassador for the Sunshine Walk. Tragically after his own cancer battle, John Kenneth Darnton Watson passed away on 24 August 2023, aged 62 years following a life of service to the Wodonga community.This item is significant because it was owned by a prominent Wodonga family and came from a Historic Homestead in WodongaA coloured portrait of John Kenneth Darnton Watson and a painting of de Kerilleau Homestead, the Watson Family home for three generations. The portrait was taken by Peter Charlesworth. The painting is the work of D.K. Ross in 1991.watson family wodonga, de kerilleau homestead, john watson, peter charlesworth

The dairy farm of Eric Lemke and family was located on the Wodonga flats on the Murray River flood plain, west of the Union Bridge. The property was named "Waterford". They ran a large dairy herd (250 cows) and ran five milk carts to Albury to service their customers. The family bought a second property at Wodonga West, on Felltimber Creek, where herds could be rested before calving, and also as an emergency location for milking during times of flood, which sometimes lasted for several weeks at a time. At other times when the cows finished their lactation period at "Waterford" they would be walked to the Lemke property at Wodonga West, for a rest before calving. When the calves were drafted it was a matter of gathering the cows and calves and walking them back home which was an all day job. During the Depression Mr. Lemke took milk to the out-of-work men who slept under the bridges on the causeway and Mrs Lemke would make bread for them. The men would often work on the farm without wages in return for the Lemke's kindness. The Lemke Family are ranked amongst the top early settlers of the district for their perseverance during the hardships of the early days and during the Great Depression. Lemke Road on Gateway Island, Wodonga is named in their honour.This item has local significance because it came from a prominent Wodonga family business.A small metal tag used to label dairy cans on the property of Eric Lemke.E. LEMKE WODONGAe. lemke wodonga, lemke family, wodonga dairy industry, ernie lemke

Murray Valley Hunt Club’s formation stemmed from a conversation between Messrs Ken Crawford, then of "Nooroona", Holbrook, NSW and Des Martin of "Aherlo", Wodonga where they discussed bringing hunting to the people of the district around Wodonga and Albury in 1946. After participating in events and activities in New South Wales with other clubs, the Murray Valley Hunt Club began Point-to-Point racing on "Aherlo" in 1957 at “Aherlo”, the property of Des Martin located on the outskirts of Wodonga in the Huon Creek Valley. Des Martin was the only gentleman rider with permission to ride against professional jockeys within the metropolitan area in any type of jumping race in Victoria, a distinction not since achieved by any other amateur. Des also played a major role in Australia entering an equestrian team in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and served as a steward at that event. The Hunt was officially formed with a steering committee of Messrs Crawford, J T Sullivan (Chairman of the North Eastern District Racing Association), Mr Des Martin, Harold Boon and John Hamilton-Smith. Miss Z Cox was appointed Honorary Secretary and Mr J C B Mckenzie McHarg Legal Officer. In 1960 the Hunt Club meets moved to Wodonga Racecourse then in 1967 wet conditions called for a move to Chiltern and in 1968 they successfully applied to re-open the Old Rutherglen Racecourse in 1969. Des Martin died on 12 April 1995. This photograph is significant because it captures key people responsible for the founding of the Murray Valley Hunt Club.A black and white photo of key identities at the opening of the Murray Valley Hunt ClubA. McIntosh , Des Martin (Master) and Harold Boon (Whip), at the Opening Meet of the Murray Valley Hunt Club.murray valley hunt club, des martin, harold boon

Glencoe Restaurant on Lockhart's Gap Road, Tallandoon, Victoria was owned by the family of William McDonald and his wife Helen nee Beattie. They migrated from Scotland in the early 1860s and settled in the Wahgunyah and Rutherglen area where their children were born. C1876 they took up a selection at Tallandoon, Victoria which they named “Glencoe” after their home in Scotland. The house was made of mud brick and measured approximately 18 feet by 10 feet. The roof was later replaced with tin. To supplement their farming income the McDonalds operated as Glencoe Restaurant and their hospitality was known far and wide. Three times a week, Crawford & Co coaches travelled from Wodonga to Glencoe via Kiewa over Lockhart’s Gap, changed horses at Glencoe and then went on to Mitta Mitta. An Extract from “Leader of Melbourne, Saturday 14 May 1887” relates the story of a visit to Glencoe. THE TRAVELLER MY EASTER EXCURSION by GIRVAN “From the top of Lockhart's Gap we caught our first glimpse of the Mitta Mitta River, winding like a silver thread through the flats below. A descent of some 3 or 4 miles brought us to the first settlement on the eastern side of the Gap, and a board serving as a rustic sign announcing this to be the " Glencoe Restaurant”. We resolved to rest here for the night, and, entering the cottage of sun-dried we were made welcome and received every attention at the hands of the hostess. A hardy old Highlander, lineally descended from the old clan of the McDonalds of Glencoe, the proprietor, bidding good-bye to his native vale, had sought to woo Fortune in the Australian bush, and followed the avocation of a gold miner for many years with but indifferent success and at length, renouncing this precarious method of " gathering gear," took up a selection in this valley and named his farm Glencoe, in memory of his native place. May this peaceful valley, never witness such deeds of blood as did the original home of this worthy old man. Combining a little cultivation with grazing, and adding to his income by means of the restaurant as well as by affording accommodation to the Snowy Creek and Wodonga coach, which changes horses here, our host seems to be thriving apace, and need not fear that his old age will experience any of the vicissitudes of fortune which marked his younger and struggling days.” In July 1919, “Glencoe” was sold to Mr C. A. Franks but he died immediately after and so the property was sold again in September 1919, this time being purchased by the Peters family. It was sold again to Alan Beer in 1957. Helen McDonald died on 13th November 1914 and William died on 12th March 1920.A black and white image of the McDonald family at the front of their home at Tallandoon, Victoria. The family members in this image are William McDonald Senior standing with Williamina (Minnie) (18), Helen (William’s wife) seated, Margaret (Maggie) and Hannah standing beside Helen, Barbara (13) standing in front of the coach and William Junior reclining.On sign post - The GLENCOE RESTAURANT / Horse Feed Paddocksmcdonalds of tallandoon, pioneer families of the upper murray

In 1977 a group of Mount Beauty cross country skiers formed the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. In 1979, a version of the famous Birkebeiner race, the first Australian Birkebeiner was held at Falls Creek. In June 1990 representatives from Australia put their case for a southern hemisphere race in the series. Following a trial event in 1990. Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet in the winter of 1991, with the first Kangaroo Hoppet. In 1991 a parade and commemorative torch lighting ceremony were organised in Mt Beauty as part of the celebrations to mark the first official Kangaroo Hoppett with participation from local community groups and commercial organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, local government representatives and individuals.Kangaroo Hoppet caters to diverse interests by offering a 42km and 21km event. It also offers a 7km event that attracts skiers, ranging from elite juniors to parents, grandparents, babies and first time skiers. It is recognised on the world cross country ski race calendar. It brings large numbers of participants and spectators to the area which support tourism, local businesses and employment. The 2018 event will be the 28th Kangaroo Hoppet, with cross country skiers travelling from across the country and overseas to compete.PHYSICAL: Set of 22 colour photographs of the street parade to celebrate the first Official Hoppet race run at Falls Creek in 1991. Participants from a range of local community groups are traveling along Kiewa Cres. Photos are taken near the corner of Maddison St 1&2 – Horseman & accordion player leading the parade Sign reads ‘Falls Creek The Happy Mountain’ 3-4 Birkbeioner Nordic Ski Club with Chinese Nordic ski representatives 5 & 6- Girl Guides & Brownies 7, 8 & 9- Mt Beauty Primary School & Netball team 10 & 11- UKV Calisthenics Club 12- Lawn Bowls Club 13- Junior Football Club 14- Mt Beauty High School Band (on Wodonga Timber & Hardware truck) 15, 16 17 & 18- Mt Beauty Kindergarten 19,20, 21 & 22- Local Community Vehicles including Community Transport and Fire Brigade 23 & 24- Mt Beauty High School Band 25- Fiat 500 Topolino Vintage Car No markingskangaroo hoppet; cross country skiing; ski race; bogong high plains, mt beauty, parade

The dam at the entrance to the Nerreman Gateway in Eltham was built according to an internationally acclaimed theory developed by the builder's father. In 1920, Victorian engineer B.A. Smith was awarded the American Society of Civil Engineers J. James R. Cross Gold Medal for his Technical Paper titled 'Arched Dams'. It was the first time this medal had been awarded outside the United States. The concrete arched dam across the Eltham West Drain was built in 1940 by B.A. Smith's son and engineer, D. B. (Bernie) Smith to water the 24 acre (9.75 ha) hobby farm owned by himself and new wife, Isa Smith. Upon completion of the dam a pump-house was constructed beside the creek but before the water could be pumped up the hill they had to dig a trench and lay 500m of 100mm water main to an elevated holding tank. The Smiths made the pump-house their home for several years until they constructed their home at the top of the hill overlooking Eltham and views extending to Kinglake. Following Bernie's death in 1983, Nerreman Park was subdivided between 1993 and 1995. Gordon Ford designed the landscaping and the pump-house was demolished. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p137 The dam at the entrance to the Nerreman Gateway in Eltham, was built according to an internationally acclaimed theory developed by the builder’s father. In 1920, Victorian engineer B A Smith was awarded the American Society of Civil Engineers J. James R. Croes Gold Medal, for his Technical Paper titled Arched Dams. It was the first time this medal had been awarded outside America. An international example of the application of Smith’s work can be found in the design of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, Nevada, USA. Built between 1930 and 1936, it is recognised by the ASCE as one of ‘America’s Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders’.1 The concrete arched dam across the Eltham West Drain was built by B A Smith’s son and engineer, D B (Bernie) Smith. Bernie’s dam followed his father’s theory, having a curvature that takes maximum advantage of concrete’s great strength in compression. The water load is carried into the abutments because of this curvature, which permits a wall thickness of only 225 millimetres thick at its crest, despite the dam’s capacity of more than 4.5 megalitres. The Eltham dam was designed to water the 24 acre (9.75 ha) hobby farm belonging to newly married couple Bernie and Isa Smith. Bernie, from Armadale, and Isa, from a farm at Tyntynder near Swan Hill, were attracted to the hilly topography and the creek running through the property. It extended from Ryans Road, Eltham, to Karingal Drive, Montmorency and was adjacent to Meruka Park. The Smiths named it Nerreman Park using the Aboriginal word Nerreman meaning ‘River Bend’ as their creek had a pronounced bend.2 In 1940 the first thing Bernie did was to build a dam, and with Isa’s help, a pump-house, to secure a water supply for their cattle, pigs, chickens, orchard and vegetable gardens. It was also available for the fire-plugs, which they placed all over the property in case of bushfire. The couple built the pump-house beside the creek and installed a Tange three-plunger pump, which had originally supplied the City of Wodonga with water. But before the Smiths could pump water up the hill from the dam they had to dig a trench and lay about 550 yards (500m) of a four-inch (100mm) water main up to an elevated holding tank. The trench was dug with a single furrow plough drawn by an old draught horse. Living in rough conditions did not deter the Smiths, who made the pump-house their home, where they still lived when their first child was born in 1944. They later built their home at the top of their property overlooking Eltham, with magnificent views to Kinglake, the Dandenong Ranges and Melbourne. From 1946 it took them almost 20 years to complete the 36-square house with its 12-foot (3.6m) high ceilings. Material for the concrete roof and walls faced with sandstone, was ripped out of the ground on their property by plough pulled by tandem Clydesdale horses. Isa was a strong woman – two days before their second child was born – she set three huge sandstone boulders in place in the bottom wall of the garage. She also mixed all the cement for the house. A collapsed kitchen wall did not discourage her from rebuilding it in a week, while her husband was away working in the country. She later recalled: ‘We stood back to admire this beautiful wall we’d built and while we were looking at it, it came tumbling down’.3 Following Bernie’s death in 1983, Nerreman Park was subdivided, between 1993 and 1995. Local Gordon Ford designed the landscaping and the pump-house was pulled down. But the dam remains as a reminder of exceptional engineering4 – and of a remarkable couple.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, karingal drive, smiths dam, bernie smith, gordon ford, isa smith, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, dams

This photograph dating between the 1850s and early 1900s depicts an open cut sluicing site located in Allan's Flat looking upon the open cut from Staghorn Flat Number 1. Sluicing was undertaken in the area from 1850 to 1904. The image depicts a location mined by Yackandandah Sluicing Co. It portrays and open space with pipes laying on the ground and connected to pipes leaving the barge. These pipes were used to wash and seperate the qaurtz. There are two small buildings on high ground over looking the barge. Yackandandah Sluicing Co. was created by J.A. Wallace in the 1880s. The Yackandandah Sluicing Co. operated from the mid-1880s to the early 1900s, when resources eventually ran out. Open cut sluicing involved the use of high-powered hoses which used the centrifugal sand pump system (known as hydraulic sluicing) which broke down the soil which was then processed for quartz, gold and other materials. After the resources where drained, Wallace reaped the benefits of his mining business. Allan's Flat is located on the Yackandandah Creek, and is 10km north-east of Yackandandah and 20km south of Wodonga in Victoria's regional north-east. Allan's Flat was initially used to mine gold through alluvial methods, however that came to an end with little results. The mining business was then revived by J.A. Wallace with the introduction of hydraulic sluicing.The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one which portray an open cut sluicing site can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. This image is of important historical significance for its ability to convey information about sluicing and the methods used to find gold and other minerals in the lat 19th Century. It also shows a location where sluicing was undertook which provides insight into the impact of sluicing on the environment at a time when it was done. This image is important for current research into the history of Allan's Flat, a small regional location near Yackandandah in Victoria's North East. Therefore, this image has the capacity to be beneficial for research into society and the motivations of those living and working in this region during this period and therefore, has social significance. The Beechworth Burke Museum has additional images relating to gold sluicing and Allan's Flat which can be analysed and studied alongside images like this one.Sepia coloured retangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paper mounted on board.Revers: Sluicing at Allan's Fortallan's flat, north east gold, sluicing, gold sluicing, hydraulic sluicing, mining, gold and quartz mine, beechworth, burke museum, yackandandah

The Ballarat-based firm, J Chatham and Co, serviced the Hotel Industry in Victoria, particularly Victoria’s Wimmera and Western Districts. Established by Jack { John} Chatham in 1956, The business was based at 7 Lydiard St South, Ballarat. As a regional hotel and motel broking specialist, Jack worked closely with other Ballarat businesses, including the Ballarat Brewery. On Jack's death in 1967, the business was taken over by his son, Philip, and renamed J Chatham Pty Ltd. The business continued to grow. Chatham House, the building the business operated from, and subsequently purchased and named, at 7 Lydiard St South, Ballarat still stands today. It was renamed by new owners in 2025 In the 1970's Philip opened a Melbourne branch in Dudley St, Nth Melbourne, The Melbourne branch, J Chatham and Daunt Pty Ltd, operated from 205 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, a few blocks west of the Carlton United Brewery in the 1980s. In the late 1980s Philip's son, Andrew, joined the business, then called J Chatham, Daunt and Foley Pty Ltd. The business at this time operated from a terrace house [?Bouverie Street] Carlton near Grattan St. By 2005, the Daunt and Foley partnership had dissolved. In 2001 Philip predeceased his wife, Elizabeth Chatham (nee Holmes), a Director of the Company. His share of the business was inherited by Andrew. Elizabeth died in 2005. The business was sold in 2006. [Jane Dyer (nee Chatham).16 June 2024]Thirty-one real estate flyers j chatham, daunt, auction, "greenslopes" haddon, "mindai park" cape clear, kingston district, the mill restaurant malmsbury, "emu downs" beaufort, "wattlw grove" mount mercer, "rowan lodge", centennial hotel kensington, "ben nevis estate" elmhurst, "paddlesteamer lodge" wodonga place albury, "woodlands" ararat, lake wallace hotel, edenhope, cremorne hotel newtown geelong, terang hotel, avoca hotel, woori yallock hotel, ballarat tram family restaurant, victoria hotel woodend, patersons siding restaurant and bar, ballarat, the coorrabin motor inn, stawell, clifton hill hotel, clifton hill, albion hotel, kyabram, "stag hotel" learmonth, "osborne" rokewood, shamrock hotel echuca, willaura hotel, willaura, "boggy creek pub" curdie vale, shamrock hotel, dennington, "mt elephant hotel/motel" derrinallum, narmbool, ballarat, brighton inn hotel, khyat's, posters, real estate, hotels., restaurants

Diana Lodge was built and operated by Kevin Shoebridge as a family lodge in the 1950s and it has grown and evolved over 60 years to become Diana Alpine Lodge. After Mr. Shoebridge moved to Wodonga he leased Diana Lodge to Bob Scott and it also became the Post Office and Telephone Exchange. From early early 1967 until about 1975, Diana Lodge was owned and operated by John and Gwyn van Burck. It was then purchased by a group of 12 families operating as Swan Hill Alpine Holdings. Diana Alpine Lodge has operated under several owners and was sold again as recently as 2023.This brochure is significant because it is linked to one of the early lodges established in Falls Creek.A small tan coloured brochure with black text, The cover features an image of a skier.Above image: DIANA LODGE The Ski-out, Ski-in Lodge Go! with the Snow in Victoria Below the image: Fall's Creek Victoria Phone 58 3214 Proprietors: John and Gwyn van Burckdiana alpine lodge, falls creek accommodation

Britteny (Britt) Cox was born in Wodonga, Victoria in 1994. She grew up skiing alpine and mogul events on the slopes of Falls Creek. In 2004 she competed in her first International Ski Federation (FIS) event at Mt. Buller. At Vancouver 2010, 15-year-old Britt made history as the youngest Australian to compete at a Winter Olympic Games. She went on to compete at Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, despite breaking six ribs and a collarbone in a crash in 2019. In 2012, she was awarded an Australia Sport Hall of Fame scholarship. Her major breakthrough came in 2016/17 season when she took seven victories and two third place finishes to win the moguls as well as the overall freestyle World Cup titles, thus becoming the first Australian woman to win the Crystal Globe in moguls. She finished off a highly successful campaign by winning the World Championship title in Sierra Nevada. After 12 years of competing on the highest level at the FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup tour, Britteny announced her retirement from competitive skiing in July 2022.This blazer is significant because it was worn by Falls Creek Skier Britteny Cox at the Winter Olympics Sochi 2014.Opening Ceremony blazer for the Winter Olympics Sochi, 2014. It is a bottle green blazer lined with the names of the 198 Australian winter Olympians.britteny cox, australian winter olympians, mogul skier, sochi olympics 2014

This image is one from a series of portraits taken by Rob Elliott to record the character of the Border District through the faces if its identities. Des Martin lived all his life in Wodonga, except for his years of service during World War Two. He was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. In 1937 he joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment but in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. This Battalion saw service in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. He was granted permission by the Victorian Racing Club to participate as an amateur “gentleman” rider. He became the first president of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and founded the Murray Valley Hunt Club. Des also played a major role in Australia entering an equestrian team in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and served as a steward at that event. Des also wrote several publications including “Australia Astride” in 1959, a history of the Albury Racing Club – a Century of Racing, and an historical novel “Many a Mile”. He collaborated with R. M. Williams to develop “Hoofs and Horns” to become a national publication. From 1969 to 1973, Des Martin also wrote a column for the Border Mail newspaper. He was also a member of the RSL for almost 50 years and held several committee positions during that time. Des Martin died on 12 April 1995.This is a portrait of a significant member of the Wodonga community who made an outstanding contribution as a farmer, soldier, horseman, author and member of the RSL and other community organisations.A black and white photograph of Des Martin in military uniform with his horse. The photo has been mounted in a metal frame.des martin, murray valley hunt club, 2/2nd australian pioneer battalion, albury racing club

Bethanga was established as a result of the discovery of gold. Gold was first reported in the Bethanga area in 1852. Before 1876 gold mining in the Bethanga district occurred to the north of the town and was known as the 'Talgarno diggings'. Reports of alluvial gold date back to 1852. Early gold fields were worked at Ruby Creek, Gold Creek and Jarvis Creek. The opening of the Bethanga goldfields began with the discovery of a gold-bearing quartz reef on New Year’s Day 1876. The 'Gift' mine site is located southeast of Kurrajong Gap lookout to the west of Bethanga township. The Great Eastern Copper Smelting Works was opened in 1878. Due to the nature of the gold-bearing quartz reef, the gold was difficult to extract, and the discovery of copper led to a change in focus. It was not until the early 1890s that an efficient technique for extracting the gold from the ore was discovered, and once again gold became the focus, with copper as a by-product. Bethanga was removed from the official list of goldfields in 1912, however some mining activity has taken place since.This image reflects an important time in the development of Bethanga and Northeast Victoria.A large mounted and framed image of horse teams and their owners hauling a large boiler to the gold mine near Bethanga, Victoria. On label beneath image: "North-eastern "Gold Days"/ Combined teams hauling a boiler to Bethanga Mines, 1900. Teamsters - Mr. G. Pearce, W. Chapple, G, Bannon." Donated by Ron Saunders and Barbara Cadman"bethanga, gold mining northeast victoria, gold mining bethanga, bethanga history

A volume of 342 pages, including photos and maps. The cover includes images of the town of Whenby, maps and the grave of Matthew Parnaby who died in Wodonga on 7 October 1903.This book documents the story of the Parnaby Brothers who migrated to Australia from Whenby in North Yorkshire, England via Natal in South Africa. They settled in the Wodonga district of Victoria. The dedication on page 3 of the book says "To George, William and Matthew Parnaby. We can only wonder at the adventurous spirit, courage and fortitude of the three brothers who arrived in this country with an ambition to better themselves and provide for their families." George arrived at Port Melbourne from Port Natal on 11 January 1864. On the same voyage was his brother William and a nephew Charles. George and his wife Rachel settled at Howlong on the Victoria/NSW border where he worked as a farmer and labourer. George died at Howlong on 26 JUne 1887. William and his son Charles settled in Albury. In 1869/70 he was listed as a property owner at Wooragee, including a house, farm and vineyard. William died in Albury on 20 February 1894. Matthew originally arrived in Hobsons Bay, Victoria in 1854. After 6 years on the goldfields he returned to South Africa and then to England to marry. They eventually returned to Australia in 1863. After some time in Melbourne, Matthew moved to Belvoir (Wodonga). By August 1877 he owned 104 acres of grazing land at House Creek. He steadily became one of the most successful farmers in the district and increased his landholdings. He spent the remainder of his life in Wodonga where he served as a member of the Shire Council for some years. Matthew never forgot his birthplace and called his property "Whenby Grange". He died in Wodonga on 7 October 1903.parnaby family, whenby england, whenby grange wodonga

This image was taken in Melbourne on Anzac Day 1986 where Des had taken place in the annual parade. The photo itself has had a long journey. It was donated to the Star Hotel in Yackandandah, Victoria by Des Martin in 1994. The hotel changed hands so many times that the custodian "Pip" Beatty felt it was best placed at the Light Horse Museum at Bandiana, Victoria. Its journey was complete when the photo was returned to the Wodonga Historical Society. Des Martin lived all his life in Wodonga, except for his years of service during World War Two. He was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. In 1937 he joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment but in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. This Battalion saw service in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. He was granted permission by the Victorian Racing Club to participate as an amateur “gentleman” rider. He became the first president of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and founded the Murray Valley Hunt Club. Des also played a major role in Australia entering an equestrian team in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and served as a steward at that event. Des also wrote several publications including “Australia Astride” in 1959, a history of the Albury Racing Club – a Century of Racing, and an historical novel “Many a Mile”. He collaborated with R. M. Williams to develop “Hoofs and Horns” to become a national publication. From 1969 to 1973, Des Martin also wrote a column for the Border Mail newspaper. He was also a member of the RSL for almost 50 years and held several committee positions during that time. Des Martin died on 12 April 1995.This is a portrait of a significant member of the Wodonga community who made an outstanding contribution as a farmer, soldier, horseman, author and member of the RSL and other community organisations.A coloured photograph of Des Martin in full military uniform mounted on his horse. The photo has been mounted in an oval wooden frame.des martin, murray valley hunt club, 2/2nd australian pioneer battalion, albury racing club

Pinking shears or scissors were a valuable accessory for any professional or home dressmaker. Pinking shears have serrated edges and they leave trimmed fabric with a decorative edge as well as preventing the fabric from fraying. The words under the trademark "Marque Depose" mean trademark pending. These pinking shears were owned by Mrs. Betty Sheather of Gordon Street, Wodonga, Victoria. Betty was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Fletcher. Her father had many jobs including carriage cleaner with Victoria Railways at Wodonga and her mother was at House Creek State School No. 2266. Betty worked in Arnold's Store, the store of Costelloe & Smith as well as the Bethanga Park homestead as well as Drummonds at Walwa and the Hotel at Ebden. As a younger woman she lived with the Whan family at Stonleigh which was then a rope factory.Betty was a keen golfer and belonged to a club which played at the Wodonga Racecourse and was a member of the Bandiana Golf Club. These shears were owned by a well-known member of Wodonga and were representative of dressmaking implements used in the mid 1900s.Large vintage Comete Pinking Shears / zigzag scissors produced in Italy from metal alloy.On outer side of blade : NINCI COMETE 1948. Beside central hinge in ring shape: COMETE/ITALY/NINCI/ MARQUE DEPOSE.pinking shears, dressmaking