The Wodonga Historical Society will receive $3800 from the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations Program to develop a documentary tracing the story of the Murray River Railway Bridge.
The richly illustrated and informative video will explain the origins of the bridge and use contemporary pictures to show how the bridge has enabled intercolonial, then interstate rail communication.
It will be released by June 2023 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the first bridging of the Murray River.
Wodonga Historical Society is a small but active not for profit community organisation conserving and promoting the history of Wodonga and surrounds.
Charles Sturt University Associate Professor Bruce Pennay, who will create the documentary for the Wodonga Historical Society, said the bridge was respected locally and – as a NSW State Heritage Listed item — its story was worth being “told and retold”.
“This YouTube documentary will enhance the anniversary celebrations next year and allow us to promote it across the state and nationally,” he said.
“Changes proposed for the Inland Rail will modify the look and structure of the bridge and we will explain why these changes are being made, but the prime focus is on celebrating the history of the bridge.”
ARTC Victoria and South Australia Projects general manager Ed Walker said the organisation was proud to give back to the communities that are home to Inland Rail.
“The work these organisations do is instrumental to the wellbeing of regional communities,” he said.
“I encourage other non-profit groups to lodge their applications for the next round of funding which is open until Tuesday 31 January 2023.”
The Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program offers funding between $1000 and $4000 for individuals and organisations in regional areas along the Inland Rail alignment. The funding supports organisations or individuals that contribute to local and regional prosperity, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Round 14 of the Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations Program supported 23 schools, community groups and associations along the Inland Rail alignment with a combined $80,000 of funding, taking total funds awarded by the program to more than $930,000.
The latest round of funding is the largest since the Program started in 2019 and takes the total number of organisations receiving funding from the program to 289.
