Wycheproof
| Wycheproof Victoria | |||||||||||||
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 View from the Mount Wycheproof Lookout | |||||||||||||
  Wycheproof | |||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 36°05′0″S 143°13′0″E / 36.08333°S 143.21667°ECoordinates: 36°05′0″S 143°13′0″E / 36.08333°S 143.21667°E | ||||||||||||
| Population | 789 (2011 census)[1] | ||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 3527 | ||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Buloke | ||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Mildura | ||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Mallee | ||||||||||||
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Wycheproof /ˈwɪtʃᵻpruːf/ is a small regional locality in the centre of the Shire of Buloke, in north western Victoria, Australia. As of the 2011 census, it had a population of 789.[1] The name, Wycheproof, originates from an aboriginal word meaning 'grass on a hill', referring to Mount Wycheproof just off the Calder Highway, which is the smallest registered mountain in the world, standing at 148 metres (486 ft)[2] above sea level or 43 metres (141 ft) above the surrounding plains.[3] The economy of Wycheproof is driven mainly by wheat.
The railway from Bendigo and Korong Vale reached the area in 1883 and was later extended north.[4] The township was established beside the railway and the Post Office opened on 1 April 1884 replacing earlier offices from 1876 serving the rural area named Wycheproof (renamed to Moffat) and Mount Wycheproof.[5] The last regular passenger service though the local railway station was from Bendigo to Sea Lake on 7 May 1977 and was operated by a DERM.[6] The town is unusual in that even today the railway line runs in the centre of the main street.
In an attempt to attract new residents, the local community has developed a project to offer otherwise vacant farmhouses for rent at A$1 per week. Expressions of interest in the scheme have been heard from Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Ireland as well as most parts of Australia.[7] The project was inspired by a similar program at Cumnock, New South Wales.
Wycheproof has a proud sporting history. With its neighbouring township Narraport, Wycheproof has an Australian rules football team (Wycheproof-Narraport) competing in the North Central Football League. Many AFL stars are from Wycheproof including Corey Jones, Mervyn Keane, Greg Kennedy and Chris Pym.
Wycheproof has a horse racing club, the Mt Wycheproof & District Racing Club, whose one meeting a year is the Mount Wycheproof Cup meeting held on Victoria Derby day in late October or early November.[8]
Golfers play at the course of the Wycheproof Golf Club on the Calder Highway.[9]
Notable people
- Wycheproof is the birthplace of Peta Credlin, who was Chief of Staff for Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister and former leader of the Liberal Party of Australia.[10]
- VFL footballer Greg Kennedy is from the Wycheproof district and recruited by Carlton from Eaglehawk Football Club/Wycheproof.
See also
Gallery
Train headed down the main street of Broadway
Remains of the railway station, prior to its restoration
References
- 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Wycheproof (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ↑ St Arnaud (Map) (1st ed.). 1:250,000. Series 1501. The Royal Australian Survey Corps. 1987. § YF0105.
- ↑ "Wycheproof – Victoria – Australia – Travel – smh.com.au". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
- ↑ Sid Brown (March 1990). "Tracks Across the State". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 71–76.
- ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 11 April 2008.
- ↑ Chris Banger (March 1997). "Rail Passenger Service Withdrawals Since 1960". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 77–82.
- ↑ Cooper, Mex (15 July 2009). "Wycheproof is hot property". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
- ↑ Country Racing Victoria. "Mt Wycheproof & District Racing Club". Archived from the original on 28 July 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ↑ Golf Select. "Wycheproof". Retrieved 11 May 2009.
- ↑ Paul Barry (25 July 2011). "Political Fixers: Peta Credlin". The Power Index. Eric Beecher. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
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