| Euroa Victoria |
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Euroa Hotel, constructed in 1884 |
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Euroa
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| Population: | 2,776 (2006)[1] | ||||||
| Postcode: | 3666 | ||||||
| Elevation: | 175 m (574 ft) | ||||||
| Location: |
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| LGA: | Shire of Strathbogie | ||||||
| State District: | Benalla | ||||||
| Federal Division: | Indi | ||||||
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Euroa is a town in the Shire of Strathbogie in North-East Victoria, Australia. At the 2006 census, Euroa had a population of 2,776.[1] The name Euroa comes from an Aboriginal word in the old local dialect meaning "joyful".
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Major T.L. Mitchell camped on the banks of the Seven Creeks at Euroa during his 1836 "Australia Felix" expedition. The Post Office opened on 1 January 1854 in the old town, as the township was settled.[2]
Euroa's claim to fame is that the National Bank was robbed by Ned Kelly in 1878. Much of the region's wealth once came from sheep but now it comes from horse studs.
Euroa is roughly midway between Melbourne and Albury. The area is geographically very flat, as the town is located in the huge Goulburn Valley, however the impressive Strathbogie Ranges are not far away.
Euroa contains several retirement villages, one high school, and two primary schools (one Catholic).
The town is home to the Shire of Strathbogie headquarters. The shire was established as part of the conservative Kennett government mass rationalisation across Victoria in the 1990s. Shire of Strathbogie incorporates the former Shires of Euroa, Violet Town, and Goulburn.
The main road from Melbourne northward is the Hume Highway. A by-pass was constructed around Euroa about 15 years ago and since then Euroa has been a quiet town with little growth or business potential. It is, however, a popular stop on any long drive along the Hume for purposes of food, fuel, and parks.
The town is located on the main North East railway, and is served by V/Line passenger services from Euroa station.
St. John's is Euroa's only Catholic primary school and has served the Euroa community since 1921. The school has an approximate enrolment of 85 students and, from its founding until 2002, the school was run by the Sisters of Mercy.[3]
The current principal is Mr. Duncan Arendse.[3]
Euroa Primary School (School Number: 1706) is the town's only government-run primary school and has a current enrolment of 214 students.[4]
The current principal is Mr. Anthony Fahey.[4]
Euroa Secondary College (School Number: 7820) is the only secondary school in the Shire of Strathbogie and, in 2007, had an enrolment of 371 students. These students come from the surrounding area including Nagambie, Avenel, Longwood, Ruffy and Violet Town.[5] The school offers a wide range of subjects to all students from Year 7 to those doing their VCE in Year 12 and offers Japanese as a LOTE subject. The college also offers many other opportunities to its students including a very successful music programme, and students are offered to opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports, many of these students achieving success and going on to GSSSA and VSSSA level. The school is currently undergoing building works which includes the construction of a new Science/Technology centre and a senior study centre as well as the relocation of the school's fully equipped library.
The current principal is Mr. Michael Bell.[5]
The town has an Australian Rules football team the "Euroa Magpies" competing in the Goulburn Valley Football League.[6]
Golfers play at the course of the Euroa Golf Club on Walters Road.[7]
The Euroa district holds the rare honour of being the home of three Victoria Cross awardees.
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