Historical information

Large numbers of sheep and lambs regularly crossed from New South Wales and Queensland into the Wodonga area for local sale and transit from the 1890s onward.
From June 1930 to June 1935 an average per annum of 500,000 sheep and lambs arrived at Wodonga from New South Wales. During the peak of 1931 the number increased by 200,000.
Before the construction of the Wodonga Municipal Saleyards which opened in 1935, there were four private saleyards which operated in Wodonga. They were owned by Gippsland & Northern Co-Operative Co. Ltd., Dalgety & Co., New Zealand Loan & Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd. and Younghusband Ltd. They were located close to the Wodonga railway station.

Sheep and lamb sales at the historic Wodonga saleyards lasted for several decades from the late 19th century.
Regular auction sales for sheep and lambs at Wodonga formally stopped in 1947, shifting regional focus to nearby Albury, though livestock transit and trucking continued through the local yards for decades after. The saleyards were relocated to Killara

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. 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

This image is significant because it is the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876 and documents the importance of the Wodonga Saleyards.

Physical description

A black and white image of sheep sales held at the Wodonga Saleyards

Inscriptions & markings

Written on fence rail
WB Sheep Sales Wodonga