Avenel, Victoria

Avenel
Victoria

Main street
Avenel

Location in Shire of Strathbogie

Coordinates 36°54′S 145°14′E / 36.900°S 145.233°ECoordinates: 36°54′S 145°14′E / 36.900°S 145.233°E
Population 1,048 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 3664
Location
  • 129 km (80 mi) N of Melbourne
  • 21 km (13 mi) N of Seymour
  • 17 km (11 mi) SW of Nagambie
LGA(s) Shire of Strathbogie
State electorate(s) Euroa
Federal Division(s) Murray
Localities around Avenel:
Nagambie Ruffy Ruffy
Seymour Avenel Ruffy
Seymour Whiteheads Creek Killingworth

Avenel is a small town in Victoria, Australia. It is in the Shire of Strathbogie local government area. At the 2011 census, Avenel had a population of 1,048,[1] up from 728 at the 2006 census[2] and 552 at the 2001 census.[3]

Royal Mail Hotel, built in 1847

History

The town was established along the old Hume Highway and the highway now bypasses the outskirts of the town. The Post Office opened on 2 June 1858.[4] It is frequently stated as having been named for a village in Gloucestershire by Henry Kent Hughes. The name "Avenel" also appears in Sir Walter Scott's Tales from Benedictine Sources: The Monastery (1820) and The Abbot (1820) as the name of a castle and family. Hughes settled there in 1838, laid out the future town, and named the Hughes Creek, which flows through it.[5]

Avenel was the hometown of Ned Kelly in his younger years, where he saved a boy from drowning in the local Hughes Creek. His brother and father are buried in the Avenel cemetery. Ned Kelly and his family went to school here in Avenel and then later left.

Today

The town is home to many organisations including sporting clubs such as the Avenel Football Club competing in the Kyabram District Football League,[6] Avenel Netball Club, Avenel Tennis Club, Avenel Cricket Club and the Avenel Bowling Club.

Golfers play at the Avenel Golf Club on Bank Street.[7]

The railway station is serviced by V/Line services between Melbourne and Albury.

See also

Avenel railway station, Victoria

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avenel, Victoria.
  1. 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Avenel (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Avenel (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  3. Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "Avenel (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  4. Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 2008-04-11
  5. James Smith (editor) The cyclopedia of Victoria (illustrated): an historical and commercial review, descriptive and biographical, facts, figures and illustrations : an epitome of progress, Volume 3. Cyclopedia Co., 1905. p.447
  6. Full Points Footy, Avenel, retrieved 2009-04-15
  7. Golf Select, Avenel, retrieved 2009-05-11