Shire of Rochester
Encyclopedia
The Shire of Rochester was a Local Government Area of Victoria
, Australia
, located about 190 kilometres (118 mi) north of Melbourne
, the state capital, and immediately west and southwest of the town of Echuca
. The shire covered an area of 1934.25 square kilometres (746.8 sq mi), and existed from 1864 until 1994.
from Mount Hope Creek in the west to the Ovens River
in the east. Despite the name, the district never included Echuca
itself, which was formed as a separate Borough in 1865 and became the City of Echuca
a century later.
The Shire lost the eastern two-thirds of its area in 1878-1879 with the severances of the Shires of Shepparton and Yarrawonga, but on 10 October 1879 the Shire was added to when a large area was annexed from the Shire of Waranga
. The Moira Ward was annexed to the Shire of Nathalia
(then known as Numurkah) on 30 May 1892, fixing the boundary between Numurkah and Echuca at the Goulburn River
. Following this, the Shire of Deakin, representing the eastern part of what remained, severed from Echuca and incorporated on 20 April 1893.
The western part, still known as the Shire of Echuca, was renamed Rochester on 27 October 1909. On 1 January 1966 and again on 1 February 1976, the City of Echuca annexed land at Rochester's northeastern corner.
On 18 November 1994, the Shire was abolished, and merged with the City of Echuca
, the Town of Kyabram
, the Shires of Deakin
and Waranga
and some neighbouring districts into the Shire of Campaspe.
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
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...
, located about 190 kilometres (118 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...
, the state capital, and immediately west and southwest of the town of Echuca
Echuca, Victoria
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...
. The shire covered an area of 1934.25 square kilometres (746.8 sq mi), and existed from 1864 until 1994.
History
Rochester was once part of the vast Echuca District, incorporated on 19 February 1864 and a Shire from 26 May 1871, which extended along the south bank of the Murray RiverMurray 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...
from Mount Hope Creek in the west to the Ovens River
Ovens River
The Ovens River is a river in the Australian state of Victoria.Hamilton Hume and William Hovell explored the area in 1824, naming the Ovens River...
in the east. Despite the name, the district never included Echuca
Echuca, Victoria
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...
itself, which was formed as a separate Borough in 1865 and became the City of Echuca
City of Echuca
The City of Echuca was a Local Government Area of Victoria, Australia, located about north of Melbourne, the state capital, on the Murray River in the regional centre of Echuca...
a century later.
The Shire lost the eastern two-thirds of its area in 1878-1879 with the severances of the Shires of Shepparton and Yarrawonga, but on 10 October 1879 the Shire was added to when a large area was annexed from the Shire of Waranga
Shire of Waranga
The Shire of Waranga was a Local Government Area located about north of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1863 until 1994.-History:...
. The Moira Ward was annexed to the Shire of Nathalia
Shire of Nathalia
The Shire of Nathalia was a Local Government Area located on the Murray River in the Goulburn Valley region about north of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia...
(then known as Numurkah) on 30 May 1892, fixing the boundary between Numurkah and Echuca at the Goulburn River
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...
. Following this, the Shire of Deakin, representing the eastern part of what remained, severed from Echuca and incorporated on 20 April 1893.
The western part, still known as the Shire of Echuca, was renamed Rochester on 27 October 1909. On 1 January 1966 and again on 1 February 1976, the City of Echuca annexed land at Rochester's northeastern corner.
On 18 November 1994, the Shire was abolished, and merged with the City of Echuca
City of Echuca
The City of Echuca was a Local Government Area of Victoria, Australia, located about north of Melbourne, the state capital, on the Murray River in the regional centre of Echuca...
, the Town of Kyabram
Town of Kyabram
The Town of Kyabram was a Local Government Area located in the Goulburn Valley region about north of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia, and west of Shepparton. The Town covered an area of , and existed from 1954 until 1994.-History:...
, the Shires of Deakin
Shire of Deakin
The Shire of Deakin was a Local Government Area located in the Goulburn Valley region about north of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia...
and Waranga
Shire of Waranga
The Shire of Waranga was a Local Government Area located about north of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1863 until 1994.-History:...
and some neighbouring districts into the Shire of Campaspe.
Wards
Rochester was divided into three wards, each of which elected three councillors:- North Ward
- South Ward
- Rochester Ward
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1954 | 6,330 |
| 1958 | 6,660* |
| 1961 | 7,253 |
| 1966 | 7,418 |
| 1971 | 7,587 |
| 1976 | 7,157 |
| 1981 | 7,152 |
| 1986 | 6,988 |
| 1991 | 7,424 |
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.