Bealiba
Encyclopedia
Bealiba is a town in the Australian state of Victoria
. The town is located in the Central Goldfields Shire
local government area, 207 kilometres (128.6 mi) north west of the state capital, Victoria and 74 kilometres (46 mi) from the regional city of Bendigo. At the 2006 census
, Bealiba and the surrounding area had a population of 311.
The first Europeans in the Bealiba area were drovers
in the 1840s and in 1845 George Coutts was the first European permanent settler. In the midst of the Victorian gold rush
, gold was discovered in Bealiba in 1856 and for 18 months the town grew to a population of 18,000. After the rush subsided, the area was opened up for selection
by farmers.
Facilities in Bealiba include a pub, post office and general store. The town is home to many historic buildings including the pub (built in 1857) and the Town Hall (built in 1879).
Bealiba shares an Australian rules football team with nearby Natte Yallock
—the Natte Bealiba Swans—who compete in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League
.
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. The town is located in the Central Goldfields Shire
Central Goldfields Shire
Central Goldfields Shire is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the central part of the state. The major towns are Dunolly and Maryborough. It has an area of 1,536 square kilometres. In 2006 it had a population of 12,323...
local government area, 207 kilometres (128.6 mi) north west of the state capital, Victoria and 74 kilometres (46 mi) from the regional city of Bendigo. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Bealiba and the surrounding area had a population of 311.
The first Europeans in the Bealiba area were drovers
Drover (Australian)
A drover in Australia is a person, typically an experienced stockman, who moves livestock, usually sheep or cattle, "on the hoof" over long distances. Reasons for droving may include: delivering animals to a new owner's property, taking animals to market, or moving animals during a drought in...
in the 1840s and in 1845 George Coutts was the first European permanent settler. In the midst of the Victorian gold rush
Victorian gold rush
The Victorian gold rush was a period in the history of Victoria, Australia approximately between 1851 and the late 1860s. In 10 years the Australian population nearly tripled.- Overview :During this era Victoria dominated the world's gold output...
, gold was discovered in Bealiba in 1856 and for 18 months the town grew to a population of 18,000. After the rush subsided, the area was opened up for selection
Selection (Australian history)
Selection referred to "free selection before survey" of crown land in some Australian colonies under land legislation introduced in the 1860s. These acts were similar to the United States Homestead Act and were intended to encourage closer settlement, based on intensive agriculture, such as...
by farmers.
Facilities in Bealiba include a pub, post office and general store. The town is home to many historic buildings including the pub (built in 1857) and the Town Hall (built in 1879).
Bealiba shares an Australian rules football team with nearby Natte Yallock
Natte Yallock
Natte Yallock is a locality in the Australian state of Victoria. Natte Yallock is located in the Pyrenees Shire local government area, north west of the state capital, Victoria and from the regional cities of Bendigo and Ballarat...
—the Natte Bealiba Swans—who compete in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League
Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League
The Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League is an Australian rules football league based in central Victoria. This is a minor league with clubs coming from towns near the regional centres of Maryborough, and Castlemaine.-History:...
.