Historical information

The first European settlement of the area around Barnawartha was in 1836 when Joseph Slack established a pastoral run, primarily for sheep. At the time, Barnawartha was known as the crossing place where horse-drawn passenger coaches and mail run would cross the Indigo River. Although no major amounts of gold were found there, Barnawartha grew as a provider of food and services to the goldfields.

Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW.

Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas.

Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern.
By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944.
Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.

Significance

These images are significant because they are the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876. The Soldiers Memorial Hall was an important building in Barnawartha.

Physical description

A black and white image of High Street, Barnawartha looking west.

Inscriptions & markings

Barnawartha
TB