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Coordinates: 36°07′S 146°53′E / 36.117°S 146.883°E / -36.117; 146.883
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==Industry==
==Industry==
Major secondary industries based in Albury include 'LOGIC' a logistics distributions hub, a large cattle market, a pet food factory (Mars Corporation), a cardboard box factory (VISY), an abattoir and a foundry ([[Bradken Limited]]) as well as a variety of other, smaller enterprises. It also serves as a central point for the delivery of government services to the surrounding region.
Major secondary industries based in Wodonga include 'LOGIC' a logistics distributions hub, a large cattle market, a pet food factory (Mars Corporation), a cardboard box factory (VISY), an abattoir and a foundry ([[Bradken Limited]]) as well as a variety of other, smaller enterprises. It also serves as a central point for the delivery of government services to the surrounding region.


It houses the Australian corporate headquarters for [[Mars, Incorporated|Mars Corp]]. Wodonga is the site of an [[Australian Army]] logistics base and a training centre for army technical apprentices, Latchford Barracks. It is also the home of a campus of [[La Trobe University]] and Wodonga Institute of TAFE.
It houses the Australian corporate headquarters for [[Mars, Incorporated|Mars Corp]]. Wodonga is the site of an [[Australian Army]] logistics base and a training centre for army technical apprentices, Latchford Barracks. It is also the home of a campus of [[La Trobe University]] and Wodonga Institute of TAFE.
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|publisher=www.buslines.com.au
|publisher=www.buslines.com.au
|accessdate=2008-06-22
|accessdate=2008-06-22
}}</ref> Bus services are generally quite infrequent and public transport use in Wodonga is very low.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} There are also short-distance bus services to the capitals.
}}</ref> Bus services are generally quite infrequent and public transport use in Wodonga is very low.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} There are also long-distance bus services to the capitals.


There are a number of bicycle paths in Wodonga, including one to Albury.
There are a number of bicycle paths in Wodonga, including one to Albury.


[[Albury Airport]], which provides scheduled commuter flights to Melbourne and Sydney, is a long drive from Wodonga.
[[Albury Airport]], which provides scheduled commuter flights to Melbourne and Sydney, is a short drive from Wodonga.


==Media==
==Media==

Revision as of 23:37, 1 November 2011

Wodonga
Victoria
Aerial view from the south-east, Murray River at top and Hume Freeway in the centre
Population29,710 (2006)[1]
 • DensityLua error: Unable to convert population "29710 (2006)'"`UNIQ--ref-00000000-QINU`"'" to a number.
Established1852
Postcode(s)3690
Elevation152 m (499 ft)
Area400 km2 (154.4 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)City of Wodonga
RegionNortheast Victoria
State electorate(s)Benambra
Federal division(s)Indi
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
22.2 °C
72 °F
8.9 °C
48 °F
714.9 mm
28.1 in
Location of Wodonga in Victoria (red)

Wodonga (/[invalid input: 'icon']wəˈdɒŋɡə/)[2] is a small city on the Victorian side of the border with New South Wales, 300 kilometres (190 mi) north-east of Melbourne, Australia. Adjacent to Wodonga across the border is the New South Wales city of Albury. Wodonga is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Wodonga LGA. Its population is approximately 30,000 people, and with Albury forms an urban area with approximately 90,000 people.

History

Founded as a customs post with its twin city Albury on the other side of the Murray River, the town grew subsequent to the opening of the first bridge across the Murray in 1860. Originally named Wodonga its name was changed to Belvoir then later back to Wodonga. The Post Office opened 1 June 1856 although known as Belvoir until 26 July 1869.[3] It has been regarded as the smaller, less prosperous cousin of the two (once commonly referred to by locals as 'Struggle Town'). Whilst still somewhat smaller than Albury, economic growth in both areas has ameliorated such distinctions.

Industry

Major secondary industries based in Wodonga include 'LOGIC' a logistics distributions hub, a large cattle market, a pet food factory (Mars Corporation), a cardboard box factory (VISY), an abattoir and a foundry (Bradken Limited) as well as a variety of other, smaller enterprises. It also serves as a central point for the delivery of government services to the surrounding region.

It houses the Australian corporate headquarters for Mars Corp. Wodonga is the site of an Australian Army logistics base and a training centre for army technical apprentices, Latchford Barracks. It is also the home of a campus of La Trobe University and Wodonga Institute of TAFE.

Several experiments in cross-border governance in an attempt to bring the cities of Albury and Wodonga together have been tried - see Albury-Wodonga for details.

Sport and culture

There are three Australian rules football clubs in Wodonga, the Wodonga Football Club, the Wodonga Raiders Football Club and the Wodonga Saints Football Club. Wodonga and Wodonga Raiders compete in the Ovens & Murray Football League, while the Wodonga Saints compete in the Tallangatta & District Football League. There are many other sporting clubs in the region. Brisbane Lions dual-premiership player Daniel Bradshaw and celebrated Saint Kilda Saints forward Fraser Gehrig is originally from Wodonga.

Wodonga is also home to a number of cricket clubs which compete in the Cricket Albury Wodonga (CAW) competition. These include the Belvoir Eagles, Wodonga Bulldogs and Wodonga Raiders.

Wodonga has a horse racing club, the Wodonga & District Turf Club, which schedules around seven race meetings a year including the Wodonga Cup meeting in November.[4]

Golfers play the course at SS&A Wodonga on Parkers Road.[5]

Much of the arts and theatrical activity in the region is conducted in a cross-border fashion; for instance HotHouse Theatre is located almost equidistant from the Wodonga and Albury city centres.[6]

Australian Socceroos Archie Thompson and Joshua Kennedy played for soccer team Twin City Wanderers as children. Wodonga Diamonds Football Club and Wodonga Panthers Soccer Club are two other soccer clubs based in Wodonga. All three clubs compete in the Albury Wodonga Football Association.

The World's Biggest Rolling Pin (listed in the Guinness Book of World Records) is located in Wodonga, atop "Henri's Bakery".[7]

Wodonga also has a radio controlled car site with both on road and off-road tracks on the Lincoln Causeway.

Wodonga is served by the Apex Club of Wodonga, the Wodonga Lions Club and two Rotary clubs - Belvoir Wodonga and Wodonga. Community Service is important to the Wodonga Community and activities such as the cities Australia Day Celebrations, Christmas Carols and the display of Santa's throughout the City over the festive season would not be possible without community service clubs. Recently Apexian Dean Freeman was awarded National Apexian of the Year for community service efforts throughout the area and overseas.

Transport

Wodonga water tower and War Memorial at Woodland Grove

Wodonga railway station lies on the Melbourne-Albury and Melbourne-Sydney lines. The Sydney to Melbourne railway line, which runs through the centre of Wodonga is being relocated to the north of the town. A new railway station was also recently constructed. The new line was officially opened in late 2010, for which the town held a celebratory day for the last commercial passenger train to pass through the town center.[8]

Wodonga is on the junction of the Hume Highway (the main route from Melbourne to Sydney) and the Murray Valley Highway (which follows the southern bank of the Murray River).

Local public transport is provided by Dyson Group (which took over Mylon Motorways) who run buses on a number of routes both within Wodonga and to Albury.[9] Bus services are generally quite infrequent and public transport use in Wodonga is very low.[citation needed] There are also long-distance bus services to the capitals.

There are a number of bicycle paths in Wodonga, including one to Albury.

Albury Airport, which provides scheduled commuter flights to Melbourne and Sydney, is a short drive from Wodonga.

Media

Print

A daily tabloid owned by Fairfax Media, the Border Mail, is printed in Wodonga. The Border Mail has offices in both Albury and Wodonga.

Television

Wodonga is part of the Albury-Wodonga/Murray/North-East Victoria television market and has access to all major TV networks. Channels available include Prime7 (part of the Seven Network), WIN Television (part of the Nine Network), Southern Cross Ten (part of Network Ten), as well as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service, more commonly known as SBS. Several of these networks also offer additional digital-only channels, including ABC2, ABC3, ABC News 24, SBS Two, 7Two, 7mate, One HD, GEM and GO!.

Two television news bulletins featuring local content are offered in Albury-Wodonga and surrounding region. Prime7 broadcasts its bulletin live at 6.00pm from studios in Canberra. WIN Television's bulletin is produced in Ballarat but features Albury-Wodonga region based content, and airs on delay at 6.30pm. Southern Cross Ten also provides short local news updates which are produced in Shepparton, Victoria, however these do not feature significant local content from the Albury-Wodonga region.

Radio

There are three commercial radio stations broadcasting into Wodonga that are based over the border in Albury, namely 1494 2AY, 105.7 The River, and Star FM on 104.9 FM. Notably, Star FM's south eastern network is programmed out of the Albury/Wodonga Hub, going to centres around New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and into South Australia. Broadcast out of the same building is 105.7 The River, which is also networked to local stations around New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

Albury/Wodonga is one radio market, thus advertisements are directed to both sides of the border. The Albury/Wodonga market underwent significant change in 2005 when Macquarie Southern Cross Media bought 105.7 The River from RG Capital Radio Network, and 2AY and Star FM from the DMG Radio Australia. Due to cross-media ownership laws preventing the ownership of more than two stations in one market, Macquarie was required to sell one of these stations and in September 2005 sold 2AY to the Ace Radio network. 2AY takes its night time programming from 3AW Melbourne.

Commercial radio stations from Wangaratta (3NE, Edge FM) and Shepparton (3SR, Star FM) can also be received in some parts of Wodonga.

The ABC produces breakfast and morning radio programs through its local radio network, from the studios of ABC Goulburn Murray located in Wodonga. The rest of their content is delivered from Melbourne. The ABC also deliver, ABC Radio National, ABC Classic FM, and Triple J on 103.3 FM.

There is also a community radio station known as 2REM 107.3 FM. The Albury-Wodonga Community Radio station play a large amount of speciality programs including those for the retiree, ethnic and aboriginal communities throughout the day and a range of musical styles including underground and independent artists from 8:00pm onwards.

In addition, the area is serviced by a Radio for the Print Handicapped station, 2APH, on 101.7 FM. Wodonga TAFE's broadcasting training station, 87.8 Wodonga TAFE Radio. Albury-Wodonga Christian Broadcasters transmits as 100.7 The Light [1] and dance formatted narrowcaster RawFM on 87.6 FM.

Government

Wodonga City Council Offices

Federal Government

Wodonga is in the federal Division of Indi. The current representative for the Division of Indi is Liberal Party of Australia member Sophie Mirabella.

State Government

Wodonga is in the Victorian Electoral district of Benambra. Bill Tilley of the Liberal Party was elected member for the electoral district of Benambra in the 2006 Victorian State Election in November 2006. He was re-elected in the November 2010 Victorian State Election.

Education

From 2006, the three government high schools have merged to form a senior college for Years 10, 11 and 12, known as Wodonga Senior Secondary College, and a school for Years 7, 8 and 9, known as Wodonga Middle Years College, on two campuses; Felltimber and Huon Campus.[10] The former 3 public high schools in Wodonga were Wodonga High School, Mitchell Secondary College and Wodonga West Secondary College. Wodonga High School celebrated its 50th birthday in 2005.

Seven private schools in Wodonga are Catholic College Wodonga, Trinity Anglican College, Victory Lutheran College, Mount Carmel Christian School, St Augustines Primary School, St Monicas Primary School and Frayne College.

Higher education is served by the Wodonga Institute of TAFE and La Trobe University.

Wodonga is also home to the Flying Fruit Fly Circus School, the educational arm of The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, that provides educational services with an emphasis on the performing arts and contemporary circus training. In 2003 a devastating fire destroyed the school's facilities at, then Wodonga High School,[11] and the school relocated to Wodonga West Secondary College (now Wodonga Middle Years College Felltimber Campus).[12]

La Trobe University

La Trobe University operates a regional campus in Wodonga, with 917 students enrolled as of 28 May 2008.[13]

References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Albury-Wodonga (Wodonga Part) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
  2. ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
  3. ^ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  4. ^ Country Racing Victoria. "Wodonga & District Turf Club". Retrieved 2009-05-07. [dead link]
  5. ^ The SS&A Club. "SS&A Wodonga". Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  6. ^ "HotHouse Theatre". www.hothousetheatre.com.au. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  7. ^ "Biggest Rolling Pin - Wodonga, Victoria". Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  8. ^ "North East Rail Upgrade - Project overview". Department of Transport. www.transport.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  9. ^ "Mylon Motorways - Temporary Timetable List". www.buslines.com.au. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  10. ^ "WODONGA SENIOR SCHOOLS SET TO IMPROVE". Media Release: MINISTER FOR EDUCATION. www.dpc.vic.gov.au. 3 October 2005. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  11. ^ "Flying Fruit Fly Circus's school destroyed". The Age. www.theage.com.au. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  12. ^ "FRUIT FLIES TO FLOCK AT WODONGA WEST". Media Release: MINISTER FOR EDUCATION. www.dpc.vic.gov.au. 28 April 2004. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  13. ^ "La Trobe University enrolment statistics". La Trobe University. Retrieved 2008-10-15.

36°07′S 146°53′E / 36.117°S 146.883°E / -36.117; 146.883