DECADES after being salvaged from a tip, a Wodonga school has become the new home for an honour board recognising those who served in World War I.
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The timber roll of honour was donated to Wodonga West Primary School yesterday.
It had been in the care of the city’s RSL sub-branch since it was found at the tip in the 1960s.
It recognises the Great War contributions and lives sacrificed by former pupils of Green Hills School, which closed in 1950.
The president of Wodonga RSL, Kevyn Williams, said an old school number, 1058, was the only clue as members searched for the rightful owner.
“We looked at the origin and it had obviously been displayed in a school,” he said.
“Because it belonged to a state school, we thought we would find out who it belonged to and give it back.
“When it was brought to the RSL, the school number didn’t mean much so we did the research.”
Wodonga West, which opened in 1959, has historical ties with Green Hills.
Green Hills was situated near the Cochranes Road railway crossing. Some of its buildings were destroyed by fire in 1952 and the rest of the campus was sold to a private buyer in 1954.
Wodonga West Primary School’s Liz Haynes said the school was unaware the board existed and was honoured to have it in time for the World War I centenary.
“We are very pleased to have it back where it belongs,” Ms Haynes said.
Crosses next to four names on the board denote those who were killed in World War I with familiar Wodonga names Phefley and Woodland among the fallen.