Shire of Wimmera
Encyclopedia
The Shire of Wimmera was a Local Government Area located in the Wimmera
region of western Victoria
, Australia
. The shire covered an area of 2611 square kilometres (1,008.1 sq mi), and existed from 1862 until 1995. Although its shire offices were located in Horsham
, Horsham was governed by a separate city council
.
, plus Arapiles
, Dimboola
, Dunmunkle
, Kaniva
, Kowree
, Lowan
, centred on the town of Horsham
. By 1900, all of these areas had severed and separately incorporated, and Wimmera's boundaries remained largely unchanged for over 90 years.
On 20 January 1995, the Shire was abolished, and merged with City of Horsham
, most of the Shire of Arapiles
and part of Kowree
into the Rural City of Horsham
. The section within Grampians National Park
became part of the Shire of Northern Grampians, whilst the Kewell West and Wallup districts joined the Shire of Yarriambiack.
* Estimates in 1958, 1983 and 1988 Victorian Year Books.
Wimmera
The Wimmera is a region in the west of the Australian state of Victoria.It covers the dryland farming area south of the range of Mallee scrub, east of the South Australia border and north of the Great Dividing Range...
region of western 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 shire covered an area of 2611 square kilometres (1,008.1 sq mi), and existed from 1862 until 1995. Although its shire offices were located in Horsham
Horsham, Victoria
Horsham is the largest city by population and regional centre of the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia and is approximately north-west of Melbourne via the Western Highway. At the 2006 census, Horsham had a population of 14,125. Horsham is in the federal Division of Mallee...
, Horsham was governed by a separate city council
City of Horsham
The City of Horsham was a Local Government Area located about west-northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1882 until 1994.-History:...
.
History
Wimmera was first incorporated as a district on 3 March 1862, and became a shire on 4 March 1864. It was originally a very large district, including a significant portion of WalpeupShire of Walpeup
The Shire of Walpeup was a Local Government Area located in northwestern Victoria, Australia, along the South Australian border. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1911 until 1995.-History:...
, plus Arapiles
Shire of Arapiles
The Shire of Arapiles was a Local Government Area located in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1888 until 1995.-History:...
, Dimboola
Shire of Dimboola
The Shire of Dimboola was a Local Government Area located in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1885 until 1995.-History:...
, Dunmunkle
Shire of Dunmunkle
The Shire of Dunmunkle was a Local Government Area located about west of Bendigo and east of Horsham in western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1877 until 1995.-History:...
, Kaniva
Shire of Kaniva
The Shire of Kaniva was a Local Government Area located in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, Australia, near the South Australian town of Bordertown. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1891 until 1995.-History:...
, Kowree
Shire of Kowree
The Shire of Kowree was a Local Government Area located in western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1862 until 1995.-History:Kowree was first incorporated as a district on 24 June 1862, and became a shire on 26 January 1872...
, Lowan
Shire of Lowan
The Shire of Lowan was a Local Government Area located in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1875 until 1995.-History:...
, centred on the town of Horsham
Horsham, Victoria
Horsham is the largest city by population and regional centre of the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia and is approximately north-west of Melbourne via the Western Highway. At the 2006 census, Horsham had a population of 14,125. Horsham is in the federal Division of Mallee...
. By 1900, all of these areas had severed and separately incorporated, and Wimmera's boundaries remained largely unchanged for over 90 years.
On 20 January 1995, the Shire was abolished, and merged with City of Horsham
City of Horsham
The City of Horsham was a Local Government Area located about west-northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1882 until 1994.-History:...
, most of the Shire of Arapiles
Shire of Arapiles
The Shire of Arapiles was a Local Government Area located in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1888 until 1995.-History:...
and part of Kowree
Shire of Kowree
The Shire of Kowree was a Local Government Area located in western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1862 until 1995.-History:Kowree was first incorporated as a district on 24 June 1862, and became a shire on 26 January 1872...
into the Rural City of Horsham
Rural City of Horsham
The Rural City of Horsham is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the western part of the state. It has an area of 4,239 square kilometres. In 2006 it had a population of 18,492...
. The section within Grampians National Park
Grampians National Park
The Grampians National Park is a national park in Victoria, Australia, 235 kilometres west of Melbourne. The Park was listed on the Australian National Heritage List on 15 December 2006 for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern...
became part of the Shire of Northern Grampians, whilst the Kewell West and Wallup districts joined the Shire of Yarriambiack.
Wards
Wimmera was divided into four ridings, each of which elected three councillors:- North Riding
- South Riding
- East Riding
- West Riding
Towns and localities
- Ailsa
- Blackheath
- Byrneville
- Cannum
- Dadswells BridgeDadswells Bridge, VictoriaDadswells Bridge is a town in Victoria, Australia, located along the Western Highway in the Wimmera region. At the 2006 census, Dadswells Bridge had a population of 172....
- Dahlen
- DooenDooen, VictoriaDooen is a small town situated in the Wimmera region, Western Victoria, Australia. The Henty Highway between Mildura and Portland passes through the tiny town. At the 2006 census, Dooen and the surrounding area had a population of 544....
- Jung
- Kalkee
- Kewell
- Longerenong
- McKenzie Creek
- Murra Warra
- PimpinioPimpinio, VictoriaPimpinio is a small township in Victoria, Australia 15 km from the City of Horsham. At the 2006 census, Pimpinio had a population of 338.Pimpinio Post Office opened on 9 March 1875 and closed in 1980...
- Quantong
- Riverside
- St Helens Plains
- Vectis
- Wail
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1954 | 3,569 |
| 1958 | 3,790* |
| 1961 | 3,535 |
| 1966 | 3,481 |
| 1971 | 3,046 |
| 1976 | 3,060 |
| 1981 | 2,960* |
| 1986 | 2,850* |
| 1991 | 2,930 |
* Estimates in 1958, 1983 and 1988 Victorian Year Books.