Historical information

The Albury Railway Station was opened on February 26 1882. It was the first large transit stop to be built on the border of Victoria and New South Wales.
The two states still used different gauge train tracks, so the longest undercover platform in the southern hemisphere at the time was built at Albury, to allow passengers to quickly transition between lines. A new covered platform and new goods shed were added in 1884.

Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Later images taken in Chiltern were signed Bonsema Chiltern or TBC.

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 Albury Railway Station was a critical link in transport between Victoria and New South Wales.

Physical description

A black and white image of the platform at Albury Station

Inscriptions & markings

Railway Station Albury. Bonsema Wodonga