Picola, Victoria

Picola ( /pɪˈkɒlə/) is a town in northern Victoria, Australia. The town is located in the Shire of Moira Local Government Area, 246 kilometres (153 mi) from the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Picola had a population of 754.^[1]

Picola Post Office opened on 24 August 1878 and closed in late 2010. The Australia Post outlet was for a short time taken over by the Picola Hotel, until early 2011. The hotel remains a community postal agent. ^[2]

The picola hotel offers a variety of services, from meals and functions, weekly raffles, and is now the local milk bar, community postal agent and Vline ticket agent.

The town was once a railhead for loading of wheat, livestock and timber from the nearby Barmah National Park.^[3]

Today the Picola district is an irrigated, mixed farming area. It is serviced by two return V-Line coach services on weekdays, both connecting with train services to Melbourne Southern Cross in Shepparton, a 45 min drive away. This service originates in Barmah (see V-Line website or contact the Picola hotel (03)58691207 for timetables)

The town hosts a popular old time dance once a month throughout the year, in its public hall. The dance features local bands and musicians who provide a great social evening for families and friends. The program includes a range of more structured dances as well as fun dances and a fox trot monte carlo. There is also special themed dances around Easter and Christmas times. The hall itself has an interesting history, after originally being built over a hundred years ago it has burnt down twice, meaning the current hall is the third hall the town has had, rebuilt by a hardworking local community.

The town is home to Picola United Football Club competing in the Picola & District Football League and the Picola Bowls Club competing in the Murray Bowls Association.

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