Historical information

William Henry Embling was born in London on September 25, 1840, and came to Victoria with his parents when he was about 9 years old. When still in his teens, William was sent to Germany, and afterwards to England, to study for the medical profession. Whilst in London he became involved with the British Legion which sailed for Italy and fought in the Garibaldian campaign. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant. After moving to Glasgow to study for the Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons, William returned to Australia in 1863 and set up practice in St. Kilda, Victoria.

Embling was appointed resident surgeon at Melbourne Hospital, practiced in Ballarat from 1866-1873 and was an honorary physician at the Alfred Hospital in 1877
In 1878 he was appointed to the Central Board of Health, and in this role travelled to many rural areas including Wodonga as the Public Vaccinator. For some time, he was regularly in Wodonga on Fridays. He was also Chairman of the Police Medical Board and President of the Working Men's College in Melbourne.

In 1892 William Embling was elected as a member of the Legislative Council. One of the many roles he filled as a politician was as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways. In this role he also visited Wodonga when consultations were in progress for development of the new railways throughout Victoria.

Dr. Embling died from pneumonia in St. Kilda, Victoria on 24 May 1912.

Significance

This item is significant because it depicts a doctor who provided an important service to Wodonga and to the wider Victorian community.

Physical description

A black and white photograph of Dr. Embling standing in front of his consulting room in a house in Wodonga.

Inscriptions & markings

Signs to left of door: Below Crown and Letters C. R.
Dr Embling
Public Vaccinator
Vaccinations Every Friday
Free Service
To Right of Door: Dr Embling
Surgeon