Mia Mia, Victoria
Encyclopedia
Mia Mia is a picturesque area of Central Victoria, Australia
, 119 kilometres (74 mi) north of Melbourne
and 56 kilometres (35 mi) south of Bendigo
. It is largely an area of broadacre farms raising cattle and sheep. It is a part of the Heathcote wine region
Wine District and a number of vineyards have been established in the area, most notably producing Shiraz grapes. Its local government areas are the City of Greater Bendigo
and Shire of Mitchell, Mia Mia is part of the Federal Electorates of Bendigo and McEwen and it is in the state electorate of Rodney. It has an approximate population of 200.
Mia Mia State School 952.
A stone building erected on the current site at local expense was handed over to the Education Department on 15th January 1869 and school commenced later that year. Construction of a new school was commissioned in 1914 at a cost of two hundred and ninety seven pounds,twelve and six pence. In 1915 school began in the present building (now a private residence) which replaced the original building.
Mia Mia is notable for being the home of John Duigan
and brother Reginald Duigan who built and flew the first Australian made aeroplane in 1910 on their property named Spring Plains. A monument to their endeavours was constructed out of local bluestone. The monument
Other notable residents include Retired Supreme Court Justice The Hon. Howard Nathan and Chef Daniel Whelan older brother of Australian Actress and Model Nicky Whelan.
to Mia Mia via Ben Loch and the Great Dividing Range
is now called 'The Burke and Wills Track'.
Mia Mia’s western boundary is on the Campaspe River
which is crossed by an iron bridge that is unusual in design and is quite memorable for those passing through. The bridge
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...
, 119 kilometres (74 mi) north of 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...
and 56 kilometres (35 mi) south of Bendigo
Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
. It is largely an area of broadacre farms raising cattle and sheep. It is a part of the Heathcote wine region
Heathcote wine region
The Heathcote Wine Region of Victoria, Australia, is nestled between the Goulburn Valley and Bendigo regions. The region is famous as for its Shiraz production.-Geography:...
Wine District and a number of vineyards have been established in the area, most notably producing Shiraz grapes. Its local government areas are the City of Greater Bendigo
City of Greater Bendigo
The City of Greater Bendigo is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the central-western part of the state. It has an area of 3,048 square kilometres...
and Shire of Mitchell, Mia Mia is part of the Federal Electorates of Bendigo and McEwen and it is in the state electorate of Rodney. It has an approximate population of 200.
History
The Post Office opened on 22 November 1861, closing in 1970.Mia Mia State School 952.
A stone building erected on the current site at local expense was handed over to the Education Department on 15th January 1869 and school commenced later that year. Construction of a new school was commissioned in 1914 at a cost of two hundred and ninety seven pounds,twelve and six pence. In 1915 school began in the present building (now a private residence) which replaced the original building.
Mia Mia is notable for being the home of John Duigan
John Robertson Duigan
John Robertson Duigan MC was an Australian pioneer aviator who built and flew the first Australian-made aircraft. Duigan was born in Terang, Victoria, and grew up in Melbourne attending Brighton Grammar School...
and brother Reginald Duigan who built and flew the first Australian made aeroplane in 1910 on their property named Spring Plains. A monument to their endeavours was constructed out of local bluestone. The monument
Other notable residents include Retired Supreme Court Justice The Hon. Howard Nathan and Chef Daniel Whelan older brother of Australian Actress and Model Nicky Whelan.
Burke and Wills
The Burke and Wills expedition passed through Mia Mia in 1860 on their journey across Australia from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. They arrived on Saturday, 25 August 1860 and made Camp VI, (their sixth camp since leaving Melbourne). Sunday was taken as a rest day when the men caught up on chores and they left on Monday morning. The road from LancefieldLancefield, Victoria
Lancefield is a town in the Shire of Macedon Ranges Local government area in Victoria, Australia. The town is located north of the state capital, Melbourne and had a population of 1,184 at the 2006 census.-History:...
to Mia Mia via Ben Loch and the Great Dividing Range
Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
is now called 'The Burke and Wills Track'.
Mia Mia’s western boundary is on the Campaspe River
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:...
which is crossed by an iron bridge that is unusual in design and is quite memorable for those passing through. The bridge
External links
- Burke & Wills Web A comprehensive website containing many of the historical documents relating to the Burke & Wills Expedition.
- The Burke & Wills Historical Society The Burke & Wills Historical Society.