Population 991 (2011 census) LGA(s) Shire of Yarriambiack Postal code 3390 Federal division Division of Mallee | Postcode(s) 3390 State electorate(s) Lowan Local time Wednesday 1:29 PM | |
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Location 305 km (190 mi) NW of Melbourne
32 km (20 mi) NE of Horsham
18 km (11 mi) W of Rupanyup Weather 22°C, Wind SE at 32 km/h, 60% Humidity | ||
Murtoa is a wheat district town in Victoria, Australia, situated around Lake Marma on the Wimmera Highway, 305 kilometres (190 mi) north-west of the state capital, Melbourne. The town is in the Shire of Yarriambiack local government area. At the 2011 census, Murtoa had a population of 991. Murtoa is also a close 30k from the major Wimmera City of Horsham.
Contents
- Map of Murtoa VIC 3390 Australia
- The Mighty Murtoa Stick Shed
- Shopping
- Schools
- Sport
- Notable people
- References
Map of Murtoa VIC 3390, Australia
The name Murtoa is believed to come from a local Aboriginal word meaning "home of the lizard". Murtoa's post office opened on 1 August 1874.
The working section of the present day Murtoa Grain Receival Centre can hold up to 400,000 tonnes of grain, and is the largest inland receival centre in Australia.
Murtoa's Lake Marma, situated in the centre of town, has always been a haven for wildlife and one of the most attractive lakes in the Wimmera. It is currently being improved with restored surrounds. A main feature is the impressive 1890s avenues of sugar gum trees around most of the lake. There is a playground, BBQs, Rotunda and large lawned areas adjacent. Rabl park immediately to the North of Lake Marma is a series of waterways and ponds with attractive treed surrounds. It also incorporates a Skate Park, playground, 1896 Railway's walking bridge, BBQ and large grassed areas. Both Lakes are great fishing and recreational areas, with abundant birdlife and pleasant, formed walking tracks surrounding both.
The Lake Marma precinct also includes a quality swimming pool, well shaded both naturally and by shade.
The Mighty Murtoa Stick Shed
Murtoa is the site of the largest rustically-built structure in the world, the Murtoa No. 1 Grain Store, known locally as the "Stick Shed". Because wheat could not be exported during the Second World War, a "temporary" grain shed, 270m long and 60m wide, was built in late 1941 and early 1942, using 560 un-milled tree trunks. These "sticks", braced with iron tie rods, are set in a concrete floor and support a hipped corrugated iron roof. The impressive cathedral-like structure was last used to hold wheat in 1989-90.
The Murtoa Stick Shed was heritage listed in 1990, and in October 2008 the Victorian government allocated funds to restore the structure. The Murtoa Stick Shed has become a significant tourist attraction but is still only open occasionally, usually during Murtoa's BIG Weekend festival in early October each year. It will be opened more often after access problems have been resolved.
The Murtoa No. 1 Grain Store was added to the Australian National Heritage List in October 2014.
The Stick Shed is still only open over Murtoa's BIG Weekend event, held over 3 days on the first weekend in October. A recently formed (2016) C.O.M. hopes to improve accessibility in the near future.
The Murtoa No.1 Grain Store is an impressive and unusual example of Australian rural architecture; a form of design and construction rooted in the Australian traditions of bush ingenuity and the adaptation of traditional building techniques and materials. The corrugated iron and timber woolsheds across the Australian landscape are the most iconic depiction of this style of building ... The durability of this remarkable building is a testament to the bush skills and ingenuity of its builders and represents a rare and impressive example of Australian rural architecture and building technology to solve a difficult and large scale engineering problem.
Shopping
Murtoa's main shopping centre is located in McDonald St. and is a largely original c1910 precinct, with timber facades and verandah posts. It features a large Thrifty Link hardware store, hairdresser, IGA supermarket, licensed Post Office, fuel outlet and service station, cafe/coffee shop, Neighbourhood House, Op Shop, furniture restorer, firearms supplies, upholsterer and a few smaller mixed businesses, including a newsagency, clothing and haberdashery. A large new Medical Centre at the Wimmera Highway (Marma St) intersection is a major feature of the town, with many services offered and Chemist's outlet included. There is also a CBA Bank in Marma St with ATM. Marma St also has a 'card-only' self-serve fuel outlet, while Duncan St includes a butcher's shop and a comprehensive delicatessen with hot or cold 'take-away' food. The restored 1928 large Mechanics Hall is adjacent.
Murtoa also has some larger local employers, which includes GrainCorp, Schier Cabinet Makers and Solomit Strawboard.
Schools
Murtoa has two schools, Our Lady Help of Christians {OLHC}, a Catholic primary school in Munro Street, and Murtoa College, a P-12 state school in Webb Street. There is also a kindergarten. Both schools feature many artworks, sculptures, innovative features and attractive surrounds.
Sport
The town has both Australian Rules football and Netball teams competing in the Wimmera Football League.
The Warracknabeal-Wimmera Racing Club, in conjunction with the local Murtoa/Marma Racing Club, schedules two race meetings a year at Murtoa, including the Murtoa Cup meeting in October and the Marma Cup on New Year's Day. From 2016, the Marma Cup will no longer be run on New Year's Day as this event was cancelled in conjunction with the local club and Racing Victoria. In lieu of this decision, Murtoa will host a mid week race meeting in July 2016. These two meeting are very popular with all Wimmera residents.
Golfers play at the 18 hole sand-scrape Golf Course of the Murtoa Golf Club on Murtoa-Lubeck Road, just South of town. There are also excellent bowling greens, new tennis courts, quality sports ground with new clubrooms and netball court. There is an indoor stadium located at the College.
Notable people
Murtoa was the birthplace, in 1912, of distinguished psychiatrist John Cade. , and highly awarded poet, Joyce Lee, in 1913.
Chris Crewther MP, current Member for Dunkley in the Australian Federal Parliament, who attended school at Murtoa (Secondary) College between 1996 and 1999.
Hugh Delahunty, for Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1999 to 2014, representing Wimmera and Lowan, who was born and schooled in Murtoa.