Echuca, Victoria
Encyclopedia
Echuca is a town located on the banks of the Murray River
and Campaspe
river in Victoria
, Australia
. The Border town Moama is on the northern side of the Murray river in New South Wales
. It is the administrative centre and largest settlement in the Shire of Campaspe. At the 2006 census
, Echuca had a population of 12,358.
Echuca, an Aboriginal
name meaning "Meeting of the Waters" is indicative of the role rivers have played in the town's existence. Echuca is situated close to the junction of the Goulburn
, Campaspe
and Murray
Rivers. Its location at the closest point of the Murray to Melbourne
contributed to its development as a thriving river port city during the 19th century.
. In 1850 he bought a small punt which operated across the Murray River near the Campaspe junction. The relatively small settlement known as "Hopwood's Ferry" became Echuca as the town grew. The Post Office known as Hopwoods Punt opened around 1854 and was renamed Echuca on 1 January 1855.
While the settlers at Echuca treated the local Aborigines with relative kindness, their way of life was irrevocably changed by their relationship with the Europeans. Having already been decimated by smallpox
in the late 1820s, in the 1850s many Aborigines developed a taste for European luxuries such as bread, tobacco and alcohol. They were relegated to the role of fringe-dwellers, living on the banks of the Murray, and occasionally entering into the European economy as fishermen and farm labourers, and by selling the possum rugs
which they crafted.
would arrive at the 400-metre long redgum
Echuca Wharf
, unloading it to be transported by rail to Melbourne. Wool
, wheat
, other grains, livestock and timber were the most common cargoes. The wharf has been listed as a Heritage Place on the Australian National Heritage List
.
This industrial boom led to a rapidly expanding population, at one stage in excess of 15,000, with more than a hundred pubs
(hotels) rumoured to exist in the Echuca district at one time. An iron bridge was constructed over the Murray River in the 1870s.
and the collapse of several banks virtually ended Echuca's role as a major economic centre, and her population began to disperse.
Echuca is the administrative centre for the Shire of Campaspe Local Government Area
.
At state level, Echuca is represented by the Electoral district of Rodney
.
At federal level, Echuca is represented by the Division of Murray
.
. Tourism injects approximately $250 million into the Echuca economy annually. Visitors are attracted to the town by its warm climate, the Murray River, recreational attractions, and historical features, such as the Port of Echuca which has the world's largest fleet of operating paddle steamers.
Echuca is also a major regional service economy.
Agriculture is very important to the region and dairy, wheat, sheep, pig, and cattle farms are all within close proximity.
The Port is home to the largest Paddle Steamer
fleet in the world, which includes the world's oldest surviving wooden hulled paddle boat, the 1866 built PS Adelaide. The PS Pevensey since 2009 has reverted to a static display while the PS Emmylou still operates from Echuca as a daily cruise boat taking tourists along the Murray River
for 1 hour and 1 and a half hour cruises. The PS Alexander Arbuthnot
conducts hourly cruises from the wharf as does the PS Canberra and PV Pride of the Murray from just downstream of the wharf. In addition to the local paddleboats operating cruises are numerous houseboats available for day, weekend or weekly hire. Echuca also boasts a dedicated floating restaurant the MV Mary Ann. The PS Emmylou and PV Pride of the Murray also offer lunch cruises daily.
(December).
, based on a novel by Nancy Cato
and starring Sigrid Thornton
and John Waters
, was filmed in and around Echuca. The local Paddle Steamer
s PS Pevensey and PS Emmylou featured in the mini-series as the PS Philadelphia and PS Providence respectively. The airing of this series around Australia and internationally revitalized Echuca's tourism economy.
Echuca is connected over the Murray River to Moama by the Echuca-Moama Road Rail Bridge. This historically significant bridge has riveted iron spans supported on cast iron pillars. Echuca-Moama Transit runs 3 services hourly to Echuca East, South & the town of Moama. The terminus is the Old Echuca Post Office on Hare Street. At the moment they are testing a service to 24 Lane and streets on the way to the lane which are near the Rich River Golf Club
V/Line
operates the Echuca line rail service from the local station
to Melbourne, via Bendigo.
Echuca Airport
is also located outside the town.
, produced by McPherson Media Group, is published 3 days a week; it includes local and national news.
, SBS, Prime7
, WIN
and SC Ten
as well as digital multi-channels are broadcast into Echuca from other regions.
, Coles
, Safeway Supermarket and Liquor
, Mitre 10 Home & Trade
, Aldi
, Target Country, Dan Murphy's
, Carters, and Bunnings Warehouse
and a team Echuca United
competing in the Murray Football League
.
The most popular participation sport in Echuca is Australian Rules Football and Netball. The local team is called the Murray Bombers. Association Football, or soccer and hockey are also played.
Echuca has a horse racing club, the Echuca Racing Club, which schedules around eleven race meetings a year including the Echuca Cup meeting in March.
Echuca Harness Racing
Club conducts regular meetings at its racetrack in the town.
Golfers play at the Echuca Back Nine Golf Course on Eyre and McKenzie Streets.
Water Sports:
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
and Campaspe
Campaspe
Campaspe, the mistress of Alexander the Great and a prominent citizen of Larissa. She was painted by Apelles, who had the reputation in Antiquity for being the greatest of painters...
river in Victoria
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....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The Border town Moama is on the northern side of the Murray river in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. It is the administrative centre and largest settlement in the Shire of Campaspe. 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,...
, Echuca had a population of 12,358.
Echuca, an Aboriginal
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
name meaning "Meeting of the Waters" is indicative of the role rivers have played in the town's existence. Echuca is situated close to the junction of the Goulburn
Goulburn River (Victoria)
The Goulburn River is a major inland river in Victoria, Australia.The headwaters of the Goulburn River rise in the western end of the Victoria Alps, near Mount Buller. The Eildon Dam creates Lake Eildon, a major storage of water for irrigation...
, Campaspe
Campaspe River
The Campaspe River is a river in Victoria, Australia. It was named by Major Mitchell in 1836 for Campaspe, a mistress of Alexander the Great.The river was known as yalooka by the local aboriginal people of the Rochester area.-Course:...
and Murray
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
Rivers. Its location at the closest point of the Murray to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
contributed to its development as a thriving river port city during the 19th century.
Foundation
Echuca was founded by one of the most enterprising characters of the early colonial days, an ex-convict named Henry HopwoodHenry Hopwood
Henry Hopwood was an English convict who established the thriving river town of Echuca in Victoria, Australia.- Early life :...
. In 1850 he bought a small punt which operated across the Murray River near the Campaspe junction. The relatively small settlement known as "Hopwood's Ferry" became Echuca as the town grew. The Post Office known as Hopwoods Punt opened around 1854 and was renamed Echuca on 1 January 1855.
While the settlers at Echuca treated the local Aborigines with relative kindness, their way of life was irrevocably changed by their relationship with the Europeans. Having already been decimated by smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
in the late 1820s, in the 1850s many Aborigines developed a taste for European luxuries such as bread, tobacco and alcohol. They were relegated to the role of fringe-dwellers, living on the banks of the Murray, and occasionally entering into the European economy as fishermen and farm labourers, and by selling the possum rugs
Possum-skin cloak
Possum-skin cloaks were a form of clothing worn by Aborigines in the south-east of Australia – present-day Victoria and New South Wales.The cloaks were made from numerous possum pelts sewn together with kangaroo sinew, and often decorated with significant incisions on the inside such as clan...
which they crafted.
Australia's Inland Port
By the 1870s Echuca had risen to prominence as Australia's largest inland port. Being the point of shortest distance between the Murray River and the major city of Melbourne, Echuca was both a key river port and railway junction. Steam-driven paddleboatsPaddle steamer
A paddle steamer is a steamship or riverboat, powered by a steam engine, using paddle wheels to propel it through the water. In antiquity, Paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans...
would arrive at the 400-metre long redgum
Redgum
Redgum were an Australian folk and political music group formed in Adelaide in 1975 by singer-songwriter John Schumann, Michael Atkinson on guitars/vocals and Verity Truman on flute/vocals; they were soon joined by Chris Timms on violin. All four had been students at Flinders University and...
Echuca Wharf
Echuca Wharf
Echuca Wharf is a historic timber wharf on the Murray River at Echuca in Victoria, Australia. The simultaneous construction of the wharf and the railway line between Echuca and Melbourne between 1865 and 1867 saw the Port of Echuca become the second largest port in Victoria and opened access to...
, unloading it to be transported by rail to Melbourne. Wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
, wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, other grains, livestock and timber were the most common cargoes. The wharf has been listed as a Heritage Place on the Australian National Heritage List
Australian National Heritage List
The Australian National Heritage List is a list of places deemed to be of outstanding heritage significance to Australia. The list includes natural, historic and indigenous places...
.
This industrial boom led to a rapidly expanding population, at one stage in excess of 15,000, with more than a hundred pubs
Australian pubs
A public house in Australia is an establishment performing many functions, often serving alcoholic beverages, meals, and providing basic accommodation.-Origin:...
(hotels) rumoured to exist in the Echuca district at one time. An iron bridge was constructed over the Murray River in the 1870s.
Decline
The expansion of the railways from Melbourne to most parts of Victoria, as well as improvements to roads and fickle river conditions all combined to lessen Echuca's importance, and by the 1890s the paddlesteamer fleet was in decline. An economic depressionRecession
In economics, a recession is a business cycle contraction, a general slowdown in economic activity. During recessions, many macroeconomic indicators vary in a similar way...
and the collapse of several banks virtually ended Echuca's role as a major economic centre, and her population began to disperse.
Governance
Local Government Area
A local government area is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a state, province, division, or territory....
.
At state level, Echuca is represented by the Electoral district of Rodney
Electoral district of Rodney
The Electoral district of Rodney is a Victorian Legislative Assembly electorate in Northern Victoria.The Rodney District covers an area of 7,808 square kilometres, including the towns of Echuca, Rochester, Nathalia, Cohuna, Heathcote, Gunbower, Kyabram, Rushworth and Stanhope.The district...
.
At federal level, Echuca is represented by the Division of Murray
Division of Murray
The Division of Murray is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. It is located in the north of the state, adjoining the Murray River, which forms Victoria's border with New South Wales...
.
Economy
The main industry in Echuca is tourismTourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
. Tourism injects approximately $250 million into the Echuca economy annually. Visitors are attracted to the town by its warm climate, the Murray River, recreational attractions, and historical features, such as the Port of Echuca which has the world's largest fleet of operating paddle steamers.
Echuca is also a major regional service economy.
Agriculture is very important to the region and dairy, wheat, sheep, pig, and cattle farms are all within close proximity.
Paddle Steamers
Paddle steamer
A paddle steamer is a steamship or riverboat, powered by a steam engine, using paddle wheels to propel it through the water. In antiquity, Paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans...
fleet in the world, which includes the world's oldest surviving wooden hulled paddle boat, the 1866 built PS Adelaide. The PS Pevensey since 2009 has reverted to a static display while the PS Emmylou still operates from Echuca as a daily cruise boat taking tourists along the Murray River
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
for 1 hour and 1 and a half hour cruises. The PS Alexander Arbuthnot
Alexander Arbuthnot (paddle steamer)
The Alexander Arbuthnot is the last paddle steamer built as a working boat on the Murray River, Australia.Characteristics:* Weight: 46 tons* Length: 76 feet * Beam: 15 feet 3 inches * Draft: 2 feet 3 inches...
conducts hourly cruises from the wharf as does the PS Canberra and PV Pride of the Murray from just downstream of the wharf. In addition to the local paddleboats operating cruises are numerous houseboats available for day, weekend or weekly hire. Echuca also boasts a dedicated floating restaurant the MV Mary Ann. The PS Emmylou and PV Pride of the Murray also offer lunch cruises daily.
Events and Festivals
Annual activities include the Southern 80 waterski race (February) the Jazz, Food and Wine Festival (February) the Rotary Steam Horse and Vintage Rally (June) and the Red Cross Murray MarathonRed Cross Murray Marathon
The is a 404 km, 5 day canoe/kayak flatwater race on the Murray River, bordering Victoria and New South Wales. One of the longest annual flatwater canoe races in the world, it starts in Yarrawonga on 27 December and heads downstream through Tocumwal, Picnic Point, Echuca, Torrumbarry and...
(December).
In Popular Culture
In 1984 the Australian television mini-series, All the Rivers RunAll the Rivers Run
All The Rivers Run is an Australian television miniseries from 1983 and 1989, starring Sigrid Thornton and John Waters. The miniseries is based on the Australian historical novel by Nancy Cato, first published in 1958. The film is marketed with the tagline A sweeping saga of one woman's struggle...
, based on a novel by Nancy Cato
Nancy Cato
Nancy Fotheringham Cato AM was an Australian writer who published more than twenty historical novels, biographies and volumes of poetry. Cato is also known for her work campaigning on environmental and conservation issues....
and starring Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Thornton is an Australian multi-award winning actress.-Early years:Thornton was born in Canberra, the daughter of Merle, a teacher of women's studies and writer, and Neil Thornton, an academic. She spent most of her formative years growing up and attending school at St. Peter's Lutheran...
and John Waters
John Waters (actor)
John Russell Waters is a film, theatre and television actor and musician best known in Australia, to where he moved in 1968...
, was filmed in and around Echuca. The local Paddle Steamer
Paddle steamer
A paddle steamer is a steamship or riverboat, powered by a steam engine, using paddle wheels to propel it through the water. In antiquity, Paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans...
s PS Pevensey and PS Emmylou featured in the mini-series as the PS Philadelphia and PS Providence respectively. The airing of this series around Australia and internationally revitalized Echuca's tourism economy.
Transport
V/Line
V/Line
V/Line is a not for profit regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of VicRail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority...
operates the Echuca line rail service from the local station
Echuca railway station, Victoria
Echuca is a railway station on the Bendigo - Echuca - Deniliquin railway, located in the town of Echuca, Victoria, Australia. It is the terminus of the V/Line Echuca line passenger service, and is 249km from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne...
to Melbourne, via Bendigo.
Echuca Airport
Echuca Airport
Echuca Airport is located at Echuca, Victoria, Australia....
is also located outside the town.
Newspaper
Riverine HeraldRiverine Herald
The Riverine Herald publishes Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for circulation throughout both the Campaspe and Murray shires. It is one newspaper among the McPherson Media Group.- Origins :...
, produced by McPherson Media Group, is published 3 days a week; it includes local and national news.
Radio
Community radio station, EMFM, broadcasts in Echuca on the frequency of 104.7FM. They currently broadcast at a power of 1 kW.Television
Television stations such as ABCABC Television
ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched in 1956. As a public broadcasting broadcaster, the ABC provides four non-commercial channels within Australia, and a partially advertising-funded satellite channel overseas....
, SBS, Prime7
Prime Television
PRIME7 is an Australian television network owned by Prime Media Group Limited. Prime Television launched on 17 March 1962 as CBN/CWN in Orange and Dubbo, New South Wales, and has since expanded to cover regional New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory as a Seven Network...
, WIN
WIN Television
WIN Television is an Australian television network owned by the WIN Corporation that is based in Wollongong, New South Wales. WIN commenced transmissions on 18 March 1962 as a single Wollongong-only station, and has since expanded to 24 owned-and-operated stations with transmissions covering a...
and SC Ten
Southern Cross Ten
Southern Cross Ten is an Australian television channel broadcast by the Macquarie Media Group in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia. The channel is owned by the Macquarie Media Group as is affiliated to Network Ten...
as well as digital multi-channels are broadcast into Echuca from other regions.
Retailers
Echuca has many large retailers, including a Big WBig W
Big W is one of the largest chain of discount department stores in Australia, with over 150 stores. It is a division of Woolworths Limited, the second largest retailer in Australia. Its main competitors are Kmart and Target, both owned by Wesfarmers....
, Coles
Coles Supermarkets
Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741...
, Safeway Supermarket and Liquor
Safeway (Australia)
Safeway was the trading name used by Woolworths Limited until 2008 for its supermarkets in Victoria, Australia. Elsewhere in Australia the trading name is Woolworths. In August 2008, Woolworths announced the discontinuation of the Safeway name, and has since gradually rebranded Victorian stores as...
, Mitre 10 Home & Trade
Mitre 10
Mitre 10 is the trading name of retail and trade hardware store chains, over 700 locations throughout of Australia. Operations are based on a co-operative system where the store owners are members of the national group and each has voting rights...
, Aldi
ALDI
ALDI Einkauf GmbH & Co. oHG, doing business as ', short for "Albrecht Discount", is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany...
, Target Country, Dan Murphy's
Dan Murphy's
Dan Murphy's is an Australian big box liquor supermarket chain owned by Woolworths Limited, who also owns BWS, another liquor chain with smaller stores.-History:...
, Carters, and Bunnings Warehouse
Bunnings Warehouse
Bunnings Warehouse is Australia's largest hardware chain with stores in Australia and New Zealand. The chain is owned by Wesfarmers Limited.-History:-Pre 1900s:...
Sport
The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Goulburn Valley Football LeagueGoulburn Valley Football League
The Goulburn Valley Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria, Australia...
and a team Echuca United
Echuca United Football Club
Echuca United Football Netball Club is an Australian rules football club based in the northern Victorian city of Echuca.The club was formed in 1994 with the merger of the Echuca South and Echuca East Football Clubs and competed in the Northern and Echuca League until 1996...
competing in the Murray Football League
Murray Football League
The Murray Football League is an Australian rules football league affiliated with the Victorian Country Football League.The league covers a large area of northern Victoria and southern New South Wales from Shepparton in the south to Deniliquin in the north.It covers much the same area as the...
.
The most popular participation sport in Echuca is Australian Rules Football and Netball. The local team is called the Murray Bombers. Association Football, or soccer and hockey are also played.
Echuca has a horse racing club, the Echuca Racing Club, which schedules around eleven race meetings a year including the Echuca Cup meeting in March.
Echuca Harness Racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
Club conducts regular meetings at its racetrack in the town.
Golfers play at the Echuca Back Nine Golf Course on Eyre and McKenzie Streets.
Water Sports:
- Swimming: Echuca Swimming Club. 50 meter indoor pool. YMCA Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre.
- Canoeing: Echuca-Moama Canoe Club and Inland Outriggers.
- Waterskiing: The Southern 80 Ski Race held in February finishing line is in Echuca, starting at the Torrumbarry Weir.
Notable people
- In 1970, Echuca resident Leith RattenLeith RattenLeith Ratten is a convicted murderer from Echuca, Australia whose case ignited controversy and national interest in the 1970s. Leading lawyers were convinced of his innocence.- Background :...
was convicted of murdering his wife. His case became one of the most controversial in Victorian legal history. - Model Travis FimmelTravis FimmelTravis Fimmel is an Australian actor and former model who is currently based in the United States. He is best known for his high-profile Calvin Klein campaign and for co-starring with Patrick Swayze in TV series The Beast shortly before Swayze's death.- Early years :Fimmel was raised as the...
is from the town. - AFL footballer Andrew WalkerAndrew Walker (footballer)Andrew "Tex" Walker is a professional Australian rules footballer playing with Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League .-Early life:...
(Carlton) - AFL footballer Daniel ConnorsDaniel ConnorsDaniel Connors is an Australian rules footballer who was selected at number 58 overall in the 2006 AFL national draft by the Richmond Football Club...
(Richmond) - AFL footballer Sam SheldonSam SheldonSam Sheldon is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League.-Early life:Sam has Indigenous Australian heritage and his tribal ancestry can be traced to the Wemba-Wemba.-Draft:...
(Brisbane)