Historical information

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.

Significance

This plaque commemorates an important centre in the development and support of the livestock industry around Wodonga.

Physical description

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.

Inscriptions & markings

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