Digby, Victoria

Digby
Victoria
Digby
Coordinates 37°48′0″S 141°32′0″E / 37.80000°S 141.53333°ECoordinates: 37°48′0″S 141°32′0″E / 37.80000°S 141.53333°E
Population 369 (2006 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 3309
Location
LGA(s) Shire of Glenelg
State electorate(s) Lowan
Federal Division(s) Wannon

Digby is a town in the Western District of Victoria, Australia. The town is in the Shire of Glenelg, 366 kilometres (227 mi) west of the state capital, Melbourne on Stokes River, a tributary of the Glenelg. At the 2006 census, Digby and the surrounding area had a population of 369.[1] The town is believed to be named either after Digby, Lincolnshire in England or in honour of legendary early rural Australian "Digby" McCabe.[2]

The Henty Brothers established the first European settlement in the Digby area in 1837. In 1843, The Woolpack Inn was established near modern Digby; it burnt down in 1887. By 1847 the town consisted of the inn, a blacksmith and a series of huts. The town was officially surveyed in 1852.[2]

In 1857, a second inn—the Digby Hotel—was established; the hotel still exists today, although rebuilt after fire in 1935.[2] Shortly afterwards, on 1 June 1858, Digby Post Office opened.[3]

The Digby Mechanics Institute was built in 1868 and has continually operated since. The first sitting of the Supreme Court of Victoria outside Melbourne was in Digby in 1869.[2] By 1874 the town had a post office, two hotels, four shops and a school.[2] Today the town is known for its strong local football club, the Digby Lions.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Digby (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Digby, Victoria, Australia : Settlement & Timeline". Ballarat Genealogy. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
  3. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 2008-04-11.