Postcode(s) 3518 State electorate(s) Ripon Postal code 3518 | LGA(s) Shire of Loddon Federal Division(s) Murray Population 680 (2011 census) | |
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Weather 10°C, Wind SW at 26 km/h, 71% Humidity Location 214 km (133 mi) NW of Melbourne; 75 km (47 mi) NW of Bendigo; 33 km (21 mi) SE of Charlton | ||
Wedderburn is a rural town in Victoria, Australia on the Calder Highway, 214 kilometres (133 mi) north of Victoria's capital city, Melbourne. At the 2011 census, Wedderburn had a population of 680. It is mainly a farming community but its early residents were gold miners and prospectors.
Contents
Map of Wedderburn VIC 3518, Australia
History
The post office opened on 1 August 1856, after the first gold discoveries in the area, but it was known as Korong until 1858. The railway arrived in 1883, linking Wedderburn with Charlton and Bendigo via Inglewood. In the Bendigo Advertiser of 14 May 1884 it was written: "That well-known locality, Korong Vale, has been re-christened. It has been so determined in consequence of the confusion of names, there being a Korong (now Wedderburn), a Kerang, a Mount Korong, and the Korong Vale. The latter has now received the dignified lordly title of Rosebery or Rosebury, I know not which, but I am disposed to think that its new title will be more in the name than in the reality,and that the word "Vale" will still be generally used."
Present day
One of the main attractions for tourists is Hard Hill Reserve where, with a bit of imagination, one can feel a sense of what it was like in the 'old days' living in tents on the goldfields. Apart from gold, a number of Eucalyptus stills used to operate in the district and a replica still has been situated on the site and is fired up, by arrangement, for tourist buses. On site is one of the original batteries for crushing the ore and removing the gold. A puddler is also on site and a demonstration of it working can be seen during the annual Gold and Heritage Festival held round about the end of February and the beginning of March.
Wedderburn is a popular spot for hopefuls with gold detectors who are still finding the occasional nice nugget.
Wedderburn has an older than average demographic. The town today is predominantly farming based, though the town includes the head office for the local Shire Council (Loddon), a small P-12 school servicing the needs of a number of surrounding towns and communities and some manufacturing and service businesses.
Wedderburn has a football team, the Redbacks, competing in the North Central Football League. They also have a Hockey Club which also competes in the North Central League.
Golfers play at the course of the Wedderburn Golf Club on Racecourse Road.
In 2015 they won the right to host The Race that Slows Down the Nation, a horse-suit race held by radio personalities Hamish & Andy. The race was held as a means to safely slow down the nation for the Melbourne Cup (which is often dubbed "the race that stops the nation") .The winner of the race, "Hoof Hearted", won $2000 in prize money, as well as a hamper that featured food and gifts from the Wedderburn region.
Notable people
Albert Jacka, awarded the Victoria Cross in World War I, lived in Wedderburn from the age of five until he enlisted in 1914. He was the first Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross and later became Mayor of St Kilda.