Stan and Mary Parker commenced the Plant Farm in Smythe Street Wodonga in February 1949. The nursery consisted of two blocks, on one of which their house was built. They started off with approximately £70 and a 1939 Singer mini-Ute. In the early days most customers came from the farming community. In late 1951 the Parkers purchased to a new site on the corner of High and Osburne Streets. Business went well and in 1957 they purchased the adjoining block. They later demolished the old house on the corner of High Street and Osburne Street, building a new home lower on the same block. As the nursery prospered Stan and Mary built a shop and showrooms with glassed-in portion for the indoor plants and a large shaded area for the display of shrubs. In 1978 they sold the nursery to Mr. & Mrs. John Gale. In 1981 the Wodonga Plant farm was purchased Geoff and Kay Pollard and they moved to its current location at the corner of Beechworth Road and Huon Creek Road. Initially they brought it as an investment but it soon got into their blood and chose to not only continue but expand the nursery and its offerings. This included a large showroom, a water shop which specialises in pool equipment, chemicals and water testing, a children's playground and an outdoor blind centre. Further expansions led to the addition of a Tuscan-style cafe on the site which has become a meeting place. The business was nominated the Yates Victorian Best Garden Centre in Australia for many years and won the award in 1997. In 2024, the Wodonga Plant Farm is still a vibrant and popular business being operated by the Pollard Family.These items are significant because they document the story of respected Wodonga Business which has served the community for over 60 years.A selection of photographs and article documenting the story of the Wodonga Plant Farmearly wodonga businesses, wodonga plant farm, pollard family, geoff and kay pollard

A stirrup pump is a portable reciprocating water pump used to extinguish or control small fires. It is operated by hand. The operator places a foot on a stirrup-like bracket at the bottom of the pump to hold the pump steady. The bottom of the suction cylinder was placed inside a bucket of water. Water was drawn by pumping the handle up and down to create suction. The pumps were used in a variety of settings to enable quick action if a small fire broke out. They were a vital tool in London during the Blitz of World War 11. On the local level they were also used for spraying fruit trees, plants and vines. The Crescent Tool Company was founded in 1907. The Crescent brand has changed ownership multiple times. It is currently owned by Apex Tool Group but still also trades as Crescent in Australia. This pump was donated by Geoff Williams of Wodonga and was used at "Orange Vale" farm at Oxley Flats near Wangaratta. "Orange Vale" was owned by Mr. Robert Williams. Widely known as "Uncle Bob". in the 1940s Mr. Williams opened up the family property, established in the 1860s, as a camp for young people from Wangaratta. By 1951, this had extended to catering to group camps for children from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 250 children could be accommodated at one time and as many as 3,000 children enjoyed the facilities each year.These pumps were important in fire fighting in a range of settings and were adapted for use in agricultural and small farm settings,A brass stirrup pump with wooden handle. It consists of 2 parallel brass pieces, one with a foot piece attached to keep the pump steady. The base of the pump is fitted with a pierced metal filter that prevents grit and debris being drawn into the pump and fouling it. 2 butterfly screws enable adjustment of height and securing a hose.crescent tools, orange vale, fire equipment

non-fictionThis publication documents the proceedings of a conference held at Clyde Cameron College, Nordsvan Drive, Wodonga, Victoria on the 10th and 11th September, 1984. It includes maps, diagrams and bibliographical references. Some of the topics included in the keynote addresses are:- soil degradation, the use of chemicals in agriculture, agriculture and the use of public land, prime agricultural land, management of native plants and animals on farms, water resource management, economics of conservation and rights and responsibilities of individuals in the use of freehold land.agriculture, conservation, land degradation

The photograph was taken on the 20th of June 2004 at Bob Dunnett’s place in Wooragee. Bob Dunnett is more popularly known in Beechworth as the owner of Beechworth Berries who oversees around 30,000 strawberry plants on his farm in Wooragee. He comes from a long line of fruit growers, as the son of an orchardist, who was the son of a fruit grower. Bob Dunnett provides strawberries to his fellow townspeople opting to sell his fruit at local markets. National Tree Day is Australia’s largest tree-planting and nature care event as trees, shrubs and grasses are very important in Indigo Shire. The event started in 1996 and since then more than 3.8 million people have planted 24 million trees and plants. As Wooragee community and by extension Indigo Shire value nature such as trees, shrubs and grass, this photograph is significant as it demonstrates community commitment to ensuring the continuity of nature in the region. Coloured rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paper Reverse: WAN NA 0ANA2N0 NNA- 1 1636/ No.24 937 wooragee landcare's collection, wooragee, tree planting, wooragee landcare

This photograph was taken during a bus excursion to Tatong in North East Victoria, held by the Wooragee Landcare Group in September 2004. The purpose of the excursion was to look at land use on small farms. As part of this, the excursion included a visit to Samaria Farm, run by Sue and Don Matheson. In this photo, taken at Samaria Farm, Don Matheson is discussing the management of his commercial rose garden. Events like this meet Wooragee Landcare's organisational goals of promoting best land management practices, cooperating and engaging with landowners, and providing information on plant management and care. This object is significant as a record of Wooragee Landcare's activities and community involvement. Landscape colour photograph printed on gloss photographic material. Reverse: "WAN NA E0NA2N2 NNN+ 1 4240/ don matheson, sue matheson, matheson, tatong, excursion, bus trip, wooragee landcare, wooragee, landcare, wooragee landcare group, samaria farm, roses, commercial rose garden, rose growing, education, activity, 2004, rose, farm, small farms, land use

Wooragee Landcare was formed in 1989 to promote sustainable conservation and land-use practices in the North-East region of Victoria. The organisation's work has included public awareness and education campaigns to control invasive, introduced species and protect native wildlife, such as campaigns to replant native plant species to improve soil integrity and restore habitat for flora and fauna. The organisation has drawn on the work of a variety of Government and academic experts to ensure best practice approaches are utilised. This photograph was taken at Riverview Farm, Victoria on Sunday the 5th of September as part of a day trip by the Wooragee Landcare Group. The event was about looking at land use on small farms and as a social get-together for the Group. Wooragee was also researching how small landholders could run some enterprises around the time of the trip. This photograph is a great example of the type of events that Wooragee Landcare Group has organized, while educating the public about the importance of land use management.Landscape colour photograph printed on gloss paper. Reverse: WAN NA E0NA2N2. NNN+ 4 4240/ [PRINTED] (No. 24) / 377wooragee, wooragee landcare group, wooragee landcare's collection, land use, social, riverview farm, animals, pests, indigo shire, tatong, samaria, north-east victoria