Wycheproof
| Wycheproof Victoria | |||||||||||||
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 View from the Mount Wycheproof Lookout | |||||||||||||
  Wycheproof | |||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 36°05′0″S 143°13′0″E / 36.08333°S 143.21667°ECoordinates: 36°05′0″S 143°13′0″E / 36.08333°S 143.21667°E | ||||||||||||
| Population | 686 (2006)[1] | ||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 3527 | ||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Buloke | ||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Swan Hill | ||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Mallee | ||||||||||||
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Wycheproof /ˈwɪtʃɨpruːf/ is a small regional locality in the centre of the Shire of Buloke, in north western Victoria, Australia. As of the 2006 census, it had a population of 686.[1] The name, Wycheproof, originates from an aboriginal word meaning 'grass on a hill', referring to Mount Wycheproof just off the Calder Highway, which is the smallest registered mountain in the world, standing at 148 metres (486 ft)[2] above sea level or 43 metres (141 ft) above the surrounding plains.[3] The economy of Wycheproof is driven mainly by wheat.
The railway from Bendigo and Korong Vale reached the area in 1883 and was later extended north.[4] The township was established beside the railway and the Post Office opened on 1 April 1884 replacing earlier offices from 1876 serving the rural area named Wycheproof (renamed to Moffat) and Mount Wycheproof.[5] The last regular passenger service though the local railway station was from Bendigo to Sea Lake on 7 May 1977 and was operated by a DERM.[6] The town is unusual in that even today the railway line runs in the centre of the main street.
In an attempt to attract new residents, the local community has developed a project to offer otherwise vacant farmhouses for rent at A$1 per week. Expressions of interest in the scheme have been heard from Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Ireland as well as most parts of Australia.[7] The project was inspired by a similar program at Cumnock, New South Wales.
Wycheproof has a proud sporting history. With its neighbouring township Narraport, Wycheproof has an Australian rules football team (Wycheproof-Narraport) competing in the North Central Football League. Many AFL stars are from Wycheproof including Corey Jones, Mervyn Keane, Greg Kennedy and Chris Pym.
Wycheproof has a horse racing club, the Mt Wycheproof & District Racing Club, whose one meeting a year is the Mount Wycheproof Cup meeting held on Victoria Derby day in late October or early November.[8]
Golfers play at the course of the Wycheproof Golf Club on the Calder Highway.[9]
Notable people
- Wycheproof is the birthplace of Peta Credlin, who is Chief of Staff for Tony Abbott, Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party of Australia.[10] She is married to Brian Loughnane who is the current Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia
- VFL footballer Greg Kennedy is from the Wycheproof district and recruited by Carlton from Eaglehawk Football Club/Wycheproof.
See also
Gallery
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Train headed down the main street of Broadway
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Remains of the railway station, prior to its restoration
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Wycheproof (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
- ↑ The Royal Australian Survey Corps (1987). St Arnaud (Map). 1:250,000. Series 1501 (1st ed.). Section YF0105.
- ↑ "Wycheproof – Victoria – Australia – Travel – smh.com.au". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
- ↑ Sid Brown (March 1990). "Tracks Across the State". Newsrail (Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)): pages 71–76.
- ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 11 April 2008
- ↑ Chris Banger (March 1997). "Rail Passenger Service Withdrawals Since 1960". Newsrail (Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)): pages 77–82.
- ↑ Cooper, Mex (15 July 2009). "Wycheproof is hot property". The Age (Melbourne: Fairfax). Retrieved 15 July 2009.
- ↑ Country Racing Victoria. "Mt Wycheproof & District Racing Club". Retrieved 7 May 2009
- ↑ Golf Select. "Wycheproof". Retrieved 11 May 2009
- ↑ Paul Barry (25 July 2011). "Political Fixers: Peta Credlin". The Power Index. Eric Beecher. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
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