Wodonga was declared Victoria’s first Rural City in 1973. John Macaulay was appointed to the first Council. John was born in Melbourne but moved to the Wodonga district as a teenager. During World War II he joined the infantry and served in New Guinea. After the war he took up a farm in Gundowring but due to war-related health issues, John and his wife Monica semi-retired to Wodonga in 1967. He was elected to Council in a by-election in 1973. John continued to serve on the Wodonga Council until 1991 including four terms as Mayor from 1982–1983, 1983–1994, 1987–1988 and 1990–1991. John Macaulay died in Wodonga in 2012.These badges are significant because they were worn by a Wodonga Council Mayor and Mayoress.A collection of name badges for the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of the Rural City of Wodonga. john macaulay, wodonga mayors, wodonga civic leaders

Wodonga Shire was created in 1876 when the colonial government agreed to ratepayers' petitions to have their part of the local government district severed from the Yackandandah Shire to form a new municipality. In March 1973 Wodonga was declared as the first Rural City in Australia. This was officially proclaimed by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe at an open-air ceremony in Hovell Street following a procession along High Street led by the Victorian Police Band. The first meeting of the held in the open air immediately after the proclamation. In 1994, the Jeff Kennett government restructured local government in Victoria. His reforms dissolved 210 councils and sacked 1600 elected councillors. Commissioners were appointed in their place. Wodonga’s Commissioners were Mel Reid, Des Kelly and Michael Hanson. Reforms introduced created 78 new councils through amalgamations. Democratically elected councillors returned to Wodonga in 1997, with Graham Crapp as Mayor.This item documents the leaders of local government in Wodonga since its inception in 1876 until Local Government reform in 1994.A photo collage representing Shire Presidents and Mayors of Wodonga, including a typed list of names and dates. All Shire Presidents and Mayors of Wodonga from 1876 – 1994 J. Woodland 1876-7, J. Bambrick 1877-78, G. Street 1878-79, W. L. Ferrier 1879-80, T. Reidy 1880-81, J. Bambrick 1881-82, A. Schlink 1882-83, T. Reidy 1883-84, N. P. Newnan 1884-86, J. Bambrick 1886-87, H. Harkin 1887-88, T. Johnston 1888-89, W.C. McFarlane 1889-91, P. Adams 1891-92, J. G. Shields 1892-93, H. Harkin 1893-94, W.C. McFarlane 1894-95, N. P. Newnan 1895-96, J. Bassett 1896-97, R. Morrison 1897-98, G. S. Manns 1898-99, H. Smith 1899-1900, H. Beardmore 1900-1901, G. Leighton 1901-02, J. H. McGeoch 1902-03, H. Beardmore 1903-1904, J. Whan 1904-05, A.E. Müller 1905-06, A. L. Wright 1906-07, J. H. McGeoch 1907-08, H. Beardmore 1908-1910, G. Leighton 1910-11, H. Beardmore 1911-1912, J. H. McGeoch 1912-13, G. Leighton 1913-14, H. Beardmore 1914-1917, S. T. Parker 1917-19, W. Twomey 1919-21, T. Ryan 1921-23, W. Twomey 1923-25, T. Ryan 1925-26, C. F. Pollard 1926-27, W. Twomey 1927-28, C. S. Street 1928-29, K. D. Watson 1929-30, M. Martin 1930-31, R, Richardson 1933-36, T. Ryan 1936-38, M. Martin 1938-39, R, Richardson 1939-41, J. S. Hore 1941-43, K. D. Watson 1943-45, C. F. Pollard 1945-47, C.C. Sheather 1947-48, T. E. Snowdon 1948-49, J. S. Hore 1949-50, G.A.W. Boyes 1950-52, D. J. Schubert 1952-54, V. R. Peard 1954-55, M. E. Morrison 1955-56, M. E. Morrison 1956-57, J. S. Hore 1957-60, D.J. Schubert 1960-61, A.B.S. Collins 1961-62, A. G. Richardson 1962-63, J. S. Hore 1963-65, J. A. Terrill 1965-67, H. W Draper 1967-68, J.A. Terrill 1968-71, *L.E. Stone 1971-74, K.T. Riley 1974-76, H. Draper 1976-77, Rex. Chamberlain 1977-80, H. W. Draper 1980-82, R. J. Macaulay 1982-84, L.O. Boyes 1984-85, **Pamela Stone 1985-86, M. McEachern 1986-87, R.J Macaulay 1987-88, I. Deegan 1988-89, Valentina Gillard 1989-90, R. J. Macaulay 1990-91, L. C. Boyes 1991-92, T. Corcoran 1992-94 *Last Shire President & first Mayor of the City ** First woman Mayor, Widow of L.B. Stonewodonga council, wodonga shire council, civic leaders

On Saturday 13 May 2000, Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment departed Buna Barracks Albury and relocated to its new depot at Building 105 North Bandiana. The occasion was marked by a parade through the main streets of Albury and Wodonga. The mayor of Albury, Councillor Les Langford, farewelled the regiment and the mayor of Wodonga, Councillor Graham Crapp, welcomed the regiment to Wodonga. At Building 105, the Area Commander, Colonel Chris Anstey, welcomed the regiment and handed over the building to Lieutenant Colonel Michael Annett, Commanding Officer 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse. Colour photograph of three M113 Light Reconnaissance Vehicles (LRVs) driving into a large timber framed building.annett, anstey, bandiana, crapp, langford, buna barracks, 4th/19th, vmr

On Saturday 13 May 2000, Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment departed Buna Barracks Albury and relocated to its new depot at Building 105 North Bandiana. The occasion was marked by a parade through the main streets of Albury and Wodonga. The mayor of Albury, Councillor Les Langford, farewelled the regiment and the mayor of Wodonga, Councillor Graham Crapp, welcomed the regiment to Wodonga. At Building 105, the Area Commander, Colonel Chris Anstey, welcomed the regiment and handed over the building to Lieutenant Colonel Michael Annett, Commanding Officer 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse. Colour photograph of Colonel Chris Anstey addressing a group from 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse regiment at Building 105 North Bandiana.annett, anstey, bandiana, crapp, langford, buna barracks, 4th/19th, vmr

On Saturday 13 May 2000, Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment departed Buna Barracks Albury and relocated to its new depot at Building 105 North Bandiana. The occasion was marked by a parade through the main streets of Albury and Wodonga. The mayor of Albury, Councillor Les Langford, farewelled the regiment and the mayor of Wodonga, Councillor Graham Crapp, welcomed the regiment to Wodonga. At Building 105, the Area Commander, Colonel Chris Anstey, welcomed the regiment and handed over the building to Lieutenant Colonel Michael Annett, Commanding Officer 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse. Colour photograph of 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse regimental band entering the gate to Building 105 North Bandiana.annett, anstey, bandiana, langford, 4th/19th, vmr, band

On Saturday 13 May 2000, Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment departed Buna Barracks Albury and relocated to its new depot at Building 105 North Bandiana. The occasion was marked by a parade through the main streets of Albury and Wodonga. The mayor of Albury, Councillor Les Langford, farewelled the regiment and the mayor of Wodonga, Councillor Graham Crapp, welcomed the regiment to Wodonga. At Building 105, the Area Commander, Colonel Chris Anstey, welcomed the regiment and handed over the building to Lieutenant Colonel Michael Annett, Commanding Officer 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse. Colour photograph of M113 Light Reconnaissance Vehicles (LRV) of Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse regiment parading through Dean Street Albury.annett, anstey, bandiana, langford, 4th/19th, vmr, band, albury

On Saturday 13 May 2000, Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment departed Buna Barracks Albury and relocated to its new depot at Building 105 North Bandiana. The occasion was marked by a parade through the main streets of Albury and Wodonga. The mayor of Albury, Councillor Les Langford, farewelled the regiment and the mayor of Wodonga, Councillor Graham Crapp, welcomed the regiment to Wodonga. At Building 105, the Area Commander, Colonel Chris Anstey, welcomed the regiment and handed over the building to Lieutenant Colonel Michael Annett, Commanding Officer 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse. Major General David McLachlan was Honorary Colonel of 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse.Colour photograph of Lieutenant Colonel M Annett, Councillor G Crapp, Major General McLachlan and Councillor L Langford on dais just prior to the march past of Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron, 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse regiment parading through Dean Street Albury 13 May 2000.annett, anstey, bandiana, langford, 4th/19th, vmr, band, albury

On December 1, 2000 it was finally announced that the railway line would be moved away from the centre of the Wodonga CBD after many years of lobbying. Since its opening in 1873 the railway line had crossed High Street, originally called Sydney Road. The railway had bisected the city with level crossing gates frequently stopping the flow of traffic as trains passed through. The Wodonga Rail Bypass project moved Wodonga station from the original central location to a position on a new line on the northern edge of the town. Not only did this release land in the middle of the city for commercial and public use, but also eliminated 10 level crossings. The project actually commenced in 2008 with the last passenger train passing through Wodonga on 8 November 2008. On 23 July 2010, the new rail bypass was opened, and the original line through Wodonga closed. In this image the decision is celebrated by the Member for Indi, the Honourable Lou Lieberman, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister John Anderson, Wodonga Mayor Cr. Graham Crapp and General Manager of Uncle Ben's Australia, Mr Bob Kennedy.This image commemorates a significant occasion in the development of the Central Business District of Wodonga, Victoria.A framed photo of four men celebrating the decision to move the railway out of the centre of Wodonga as well as an image of the from page of the Border Mail newspaper.wodonga railway, wodonga rail bypass, city of wodonga

One of a series of articles from The Age at the time about Albury-Wodonga, Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong - the four largest regional cities. Both the Ballarat and Bendigo items featured images of the historical trams. Item looks at Ballarat, housing, employment and its future development including the possibility of a light rail system. Quotes John Hearsch of the Rail Futures Institute and Des Hudson, Ballarat Mayor. Looks at the issue of a cycle lane in Sturt St.Yields information about the possibilities of future development directions for Ballarat.Newspaper cutting from The Age 10-10-2023ballarat, the age, light rail, development

During World War One, to finance the war the Commonwealth Government had a series of war loans, and then peace loans. To recover the cost of the war and fund soldier pensions the government launched 'Peace Loan' campaigns after the war. The various Shires in each State were given quotas that they were expected to raise. The Central Peace Loan Committee endorsed the issue of a metal tablet to each district which secured its quota. The tablet was made of bronze, and it was to be fixed on the wall of the local municipal building. It bore the name of the town, borough or shire to which it was awarded, and the name of the mayor or president. The inscription explaining the object of the award appeared over the signatures of the Prime Minister and the Treasurer of the Commonwealth. In the case of districts which secured double their quota the tablet also included the Commonwealth coat-of-arms. This plaque was presented to the Shire of Wodonga for exceeding its allocated quota which had been set at £10,000. The Wodonga community subscribed more than £12,845 to the Peace Loans which was acknowledged with the presentation of the plaque.A bronze rectangular plaque with raised text and an border. A hole in each corner allowed the plaque to be secured to a wall. COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA / PEACE LOAN/ A.D. 1919/ TO COMMEMORATE THE OVERSUBSCRIPTION / OF THE ALLOTTED QUOTA OF THIS LOAN / BY/ THE SHIRE OF WODONGA/ W. TWOMEY PRESIDENT / W. A. WATT TREASURER/ W. M. HUGHES PRIME MINISTER"ww1, peace loans australia, shire of wodonga peace loans

This plaque commemorates the official opening of the liveweight selling facilities at the Wodonga Municipal Saleyards, named the W. G. Page Saleyards, in 1980. Liveweight selling usually involves a curfew where cattle have to be at the saleyard by a specific time before the sale in order for them to be weighed prior to auction. Cattle that do not make the curfew time are sold on a $/head basis. The last sales at this facility took place in February 2015 before being replaced by the privately-run Barnawartha North's Northern Victoria Livestock Exchange. William George Page was Shire and City Engineer in Wodonga from 1965 until 1989. When he arrived the Shire of Wodonga had a population of 17,000 people. In 1966 Wodonga was selected as a city for special growth assistance. In 1972 Bill Page presented a new Town Plan to the Wodonga Council. Over the ensuing years he dedicated himself to bring this plan to fruition. He often had to argue and campaign with the Albury-Wodonga Corporation to push for the interests of development in Wodonga. This included winning a planning appeal to allow the saleyards to be relocated to Bandiana on the outskirts of Wodonga. Bill Page retired on health grounds in July 1989. The Council honoured him with a farewell dinner and renamed the saleyards at Bandiana the W.G. Page Saleyards in his honour.The Mayor , Cr Valentina Gillard, said "Every development in Wodonga in the past 24 years has a bit of Bill Page in it". William Page died 3 months later at 58 years old.A bronze forged metal plaque with detailed inscription. Bolts to fix plaque to the wall are still attached.RURAL CITY OF WODONGA / THIS PLAQUE/ COMMEMORATES THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE/ LIVEWEIGHT SELLING FACILITIES AT / THE WODONGA MUNICIPAL SALEYARDS /BY/THE HON. DIGBY CROZIER, M.L.C., / MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT/ ON WEDNESDAY, 4TH MARCH, 1981 CR. H. W, DRAPER, J.P. MAYOR R. I. O'TOOLE TOWN CLERK , CR. I. J. MACAULAY MARKETS CHAIRMAN W. G. PAGE CITY ENGINEERlivestock sales wodonga, liveweight cattle sales, municipal saleyards wondonga

This plaque commemorates the opening of the Wodonga Municipal Saleyards, named the W. G. Page Saleyards, in 1980. The last sales at this facility took place in February 2015 before being replaced by the privately-run Barnawartha North's Northern Victoria Livestock Exchange. William George Page was Shire and City Engineer in Wodonga from 1965 until 1989. When he arrived the Shire of Wodonga had a population of 17,000 people. In 1966 Wodonga was selected as a city for special growth assistance. In 1972 Bill Page presented a new Town Plan to the Wodonga Council. Over the ensuing years he dedicated himself to bring this plan to fruition. He often had to argue and campaign with the Albury-Wodonga Corporation to push for the interests of development in Wodonga. This included winning a planning appeal to allow the saleyards to be relocated to Bandiana on the outskirts of Wodonga. Bill Page retired on health grounds in July 1989. The Council honoured him with a farewell dinner and renamed the saleyards at Bandiana the W.G. Page Saleyards in his honour.The Mayor , Cr Valentina Gillard, said "Every development in Wodonga in the past 24 years has a bit of Bill Page in it". William Page died 3 months later at 58 years old.This plaque commemorates an important centre in the development and support of the livestock industry around Wodonga.A bronze plaque bearing the symbol of the Rural City of Wodonga in the upper left corner and an inscription to commemorate the opening of the Wodonga Municipal Saleyards. It includes a detailed inscription.RURAL CITY OF WODONGA / THIS PLAQUE WAS UNVEILED / ON 29TH JULY 1980 / BY /THE HON. J. C. BALFOUR M.P. / ACTING MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE /TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE / WODONGA MUNICIPAL SALEYARDS CR. G. R. CHAMBERLAIN, J.P. MAYOR CR. I . J. MACAULAY CR. M. J. McEACHERN CR. D. I. SCHUBERT, B'E'N', J.P CR. H. W. DRAPER, J.P. CR. D.J .IVERSON CR. E. E. CHESTER CR I. D. WATSON CR. L. C. BOYES CR. B. F. ROGERS CR. P. M. STONE. J.P CR. B. McLEAN TOWN CLERK R. I. O"TOOLE A.I.M.A., A.R.M.I.T, M.A.I.H.S CITY ENGINEER W. G. PAGE, B.E, M.I.E (AUST) B.S .E.W.S L. G. E. A saleyards wodonga, w. g. page saleyards, livestock sales wodonga

This plaque commemorates the official opening of an occasional child care centre and pre-school in South St, Wodonga in 1989 by the Governor of Victoria Dr. Davis McCaughey. With strong population growth in Wodonga community services had expanded rapidly throughout the 1980s. The first child minding centre had opened in 1975. BY 1987 Upper Murray Family Care provided full-day family day care and occasional care and there were also 2 private child care centres. By 1986 there were 350 full-time places and 75 part-time places, but pre-schools were unable to fill the demand for another 511 applicants. This new facility helped to ease a little of the problem. As well as the inscription included here, the name of the Mayor, all members of the Wodonga Council, City Engineer, Architect and Builder are listed on the plaque.This item illustrates an important development in the provision of pre-school and child care services in Wodonga.A bronze rectangular plaque with detailed inscription, designed to be attached to the wall of a building. There is a hole in each corner for bolts to be inserted. The text is raised above the surface of the plaque. It features the symbol of the shield of the Rural City of Wodonga in the top left corner.fiction"RURAL CITY OF WODONGA WODONGA OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE CENTRE AND SOUTH STREET PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR. DAVIS MCCAUGHEY, A.C., GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA ON 9TH DAY OF MAY 1989child care facilities wodonga, children's services wodonga, pre-schools wodonga

William George Page was Shire and City Engineer in Wodonga from 1965 until 1989. When he arrived the Shire of Wodonga had a population of 17,000 people. In 1966 Wodonga was selected as a city for special growth assistance. In 1972 Bill Page presented a new Town Plan to the Wodonga Council. Over the ensuing years he dedicated himself to bring this plan to fruition. He often had to argue and campaign with the Albury-Wodonga Corporation to push for the interests of development in Wodonga. This included winning a planning appeal to allow the saleyards to be relocated to Bandiana on the outskirts of Wodonga. Bill Page retired on health grounds in July 1989. The Council honoured him with a farewell dinner and renamed the saleyards at Bandiana the W.G. Page Saleyards in his honour.The Mayor , Cr Valentina Gillard, said "Every development in Wodonga in the past 24 years has a bit of Bill Page in it". William Page died 3 months later at 58 years old.This image depicts an important centre in the development and support of the livestock industry around Wodonga.An aerial photograph of the W. G. Page Saleyards in Wodonga. It has been mounted in a wooden frame.On a sign attached to the photo frame: "This photo of the W.G. Page Saleyards has been donated to the people of Wodonga from Mrs Pat Page and Family. The saleyards were named after the late Bill Page, City Engineer of Wodonga Council for 25 years until his death".w. g. page saleyards, wodonga saleyards, william george page

A publication of 156 pages including text, illustrations, facsimiles and portraits. It also includes bibliographical references and an index.This publication tells the story of the men and women from Albury and district who served in the Great War of 1914 to 1919. It tells of those who served on the battlefield, but also those who supported and sustained them from home whilst maintaining the community of Albury. As indicated on the back cover, the author Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Hunter had a long military service and connection with Albury Wodonga. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2009 for services to military history. The book was based on research carried out with the assistance of members of the Albury and DIstrict Historical Society. It included a forward by Councillor Kevin Mack, Mayor of the City of Albury (2015).impact of world war 1 albury, soldiers ww1 albury, ww1 participation albury

A book bound in red leather-look fabric. The book features facsimiles of the addresses made to the Duke of Cornwall and York and the Governor-General, facsimile pages showing signatures of mayors, councillors and town clerks, views of municipal buildings, and the replies sent by the Duke and Governor-General.This book titled 'Addresses to His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York and to His Excellency the Governor-General From The Municipalities of Victoria' was published by the Municipal Association of Victoria to commemorate the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. It was printed by McCarron, Bird & Co in Melbourne. It contains copies of messages from each of the municipalities of Victoria. The addresses were made on the occasion of the Duke & Duchess of Cornwall & York's visit to Melbourne in May 1901. They were in the city for the opening of Federal Parliament which took place at the Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens on 9 May 1901. The image of the message representing the Shire of Wodonga is signed by Henry Beardmore (President), Councillors John Bassett, W McFarlane, Robert Morrison, Geo. Leighton, James Henry McGeoch, A. E. Muller, John Whan, Joseph Pollard and Secretary John Woodland.australian federation 1901, municipal governments victoria, duke of cornwall

Ian Darnton Watson was a member of a prominent family of civic leaders in Wodonga. He was born on 6th July 1925 in Albury, the first son of Kenneth Darnton Watson and Phyllis Lenore Emily Austin. He completed his primary education at Albury Grammar School, and later became a boarder at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School. He enlisted for service at Albury on 25th January 1944 and commenced full time service on 8th February 1944 at Royal Park in Melbourne, Victoria and was allocated to the 2nd Medium Regiment. He embarked for overseas service in Borneo on 30th July 1945 and disembarked in Australia on 15 April 1947 after serving with the Australian occupation forces in Japan. Mr Watson was discharged on 22 April 1947 at which time he was a member of the Australian 2nd Medical Regiment. On discharge he returned home to help his father farm his property, De Kerilleau in Wodonga. De Kerilleau was classified by the National Trust in 1974. Ian described his father, Kenneth as a hardworking, practical man, who for two years from 1929 - 1931, had been the Wodonga Shire President. Cr K. D. Watson was again elected to the Council in 1943 and served until he died in October 1951. In March 1957, he married Miss Lesley Buttfield, of Sydney, NSW. They had three children, Fiona, John and Rowena. John was later to become a member of Wodonga Council and served as mayor. Ian was past President of the RSL branch at Wodonga, Captain of the Wodonga Rural Fire Brigade, and President of the West Wodonga Primary School Committee. He also served on Wodonga Council from 1974 until his death on 14 December 1981, aged 56.This certificate is significant because it acknowledges the War Service of a prominent member of the Wodonga communityA colour printed certificate presented to Ian Darnton Watson in appreciation for his service for "King and Empire" during World War II. The text is surrounded by columns and an arch. The Australian and British flags are at the top as well as representations of the Navy, Army and Air Force. It also features the logo of the Shire of Wodonga above the text. The badge of the Commonwealth Armed Forces is at the centre bottom of the certificate. This small collection also includes black and white photographs of Ian Watson from his Service Records and another photo in uniformOn Certificate: PRESENTED TO Ian Darnton Watson BY THE PRESIDENT, COUNCILLORS AND CITIZENS OF THE SHIRE OF WODONGA as a record and an appreciation of Your Services to King and Country during the Great War which commenced 3rd September, 1939. Given under the Common Seal of the Shire of Wodonga by the President, Citizens this Councillors and Citizens this 26th day of February 1947watson family wodonga, ian darnton watson, de kerilleau

Ian Darnton Watson was a member of a prominent family of civic leaders in Wodonga. He was born on 6th July 1925 in Albury, the first son of Kenneth Darnton Watson and Phyllis Lenore Emily Austin. He completed his primary education at Albury Grammar School, and later became a boarder at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School. He enlisted for military service at Albury on 25th January 1944 and commenced full time service on 8th February 1944 at Royal Park in Melbourne, Victoria and was allocated to the 2nd Medium Artillery Regiment. He embarked on overseas service in Borneo on 30th July 1945 and disembarked in Australia on 15th April 1947 after serving with the Australian occupation forces in Japan. Mr Watson was discharged on 22nd April 1947 at which time he was a member of the Australian 2nd Medical Regiment. On discharge he returned home to help his father farm his property, de Kerilleau in Wodonga which was classified by the National Trust in 1974. Ian described his father, Kenneth as a hardworking, practical man, who for two years from 1929 - 1931, had been the Wodonga Shire President. Cr K. D. Watson was again elected to the Council in 1943 and served until he died in October 1951. In March 1957, he married Miss Lesley Buttfield, of Sydney, NSW. They had three children, Fiona, John and Rowena. John was later to become a member of Wodonga Council and served as Mayor. Ian was President of the RSSAILA (Returned Sailor's, Soldier's and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia) branch at Wodonga from 1953 to 1955 and remained as a member after that time. The League was renamed to the Returned Services League in 1965. Mr Ian Watson died on 14 December 1981, aged 56.This certificate is significant because it recognises the service of Ian Darnton Watson in support of Returned Servicemen in Wodonga.A framed certificate mounted on card. The frame is plastic with a wood grain finish.On Certificate:- R.S.S.A.I.L.A. VICTORIAN BRANCH Presented to Ian D. Watson, As a token of esteem and in grateful recognition of valuable services rendered as President of the Wodonga Sub Branch Years 1953 to 1955.wodonga rssaila, ian darnton watson, watson family wodonga, rsl wodonga

The Right, Title, Privilege, Honour and Distinction of marching through the streets of a city on all ceremonial occasions with bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying is one of the most interesting of the Military Traditions. The tradition of Freedom of Entry to a city stems from a custom observed by British Regiments in marching through the city of London. The fathers of the city of London claimed that they had the right to forbid bodies of Armed Forces from marching through the city precincts with bayonets fixed, colours flying and music playing, basing this claim on 'Ancient Privileges' which appear to have originated shortly after Charles Il became King in 1660. Military units were then only allowed to enter the city by invitation. The custom has been adopted by many Australian cities and shires. The privilege is usually only extended to Units which have a close association with the city and provides a means of honouring an Army Corps. The Freedom of the City of Wodonga has been conferred on different units based at Bandiana on several occasions. This Certificate commemorates the granting of Freedom of the City of Wodonga on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Vietnam and Associated Veterans Club which was accompanied by a military parade on 11th August 2003. This Certificate is significant because it recognises the relationship between the City of Wodonga and the military forces which have served in the district.A framed certificate declaring the granting of Freedom of the City of Wodonga to Veterans, Ex-service and Service men and women of Australia who served Australia since the cessation of hostilities of the second World War. It bears the common seal of the City of Wodonga and was signed by Mayor Lisa Mahood, Councillor John Watson and Chief Executive Officer Peter Marshall.freedom of the city wodonga, military wodonga