The unpopular border taxes and customs duties, which were imposed in this small 1892 Customs House, initiated the 1890s movement to Federate the Colonies, thereby discontinuing the rivalry between the Colonial governments. Many NSW southern Riverina rural landholders, border tradespeople and Victorian wheat sharefarmers operating on NSW stations used the recently opened (1891) traffic bridge at Mulwala to transport their produce across the Murray River then by rail to Melbourne. They were angered by the Victorian customs duties imposed at the border and resolved to do something about it. Federation Leagues were formed at district localities. The Berrigan League organised the Federation Conference held in August 1893 at Corowa, the town they nominated because of its central location, connection to rail from Melbourne and Sydney, adequate accommodation and meeting facilities. The Corowa Conference was a significant step in Australia’s path to nationhood, at which Dr John Quick’s motion for Federation was passed. The movement later included matters of national identity, defence, governance and economy. This tiny building was involved right from the beginning. The Customs House is also special because it is the only original Customs House along the Murray which has not been repurposed. It is situated in the same position relative to the 1924 bridge as it was to the 1891 bridge.