Girgarre, Victoria
Girgarre is a small town in the Goulburn Valley, Victoria, Australia. It is in the Shire of Campaspe local government area. At the 2016 census, Girgarre and surrounding area had a population of 561.[1]
| Girgarre Victoria | |
|---|---|
 Memorial Hall | |
  Girgarre | |
| Coordinates | 36°23′56″S 144°58′51″E |
| Population | 561 (2016 census)[1] |
| Postcode(s) | 3624 |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Campaspe |
| State electorate(s) | Euroa |
| Federal Division(s) | Nicholls |
History
The Post Office opened on 21 May 1917 as Stanhope North, and was renamed Girgarre in 1920.[2]
A railway branch line from Rushworth opened in 1917. The line was closed back to Stanhope in 1975, and the branch was closed completely in 1987. There is now a short rail trail from Girgarre towards Stanhope, and a facsimile station and rail track at Girgarre.[3]
Girgarre Kindergarten was established in 1964. It has operated out of several locations within the town. Currently the kindergarten operates out of the old Primary School Principal's home. The Kindergarten is celebrating its 50-year anniversary in 2014 with several events planned throughout the year.
The Girgarre Community Centre was established in 1984 and is operated by the Girgarre Community Group Inc. A not for profit organisation that operates largely through the significant contribution of volunteers.
Today
The main industry in Girgarre is dairying, mainly on family owned farms.
Girgarre has a primary school, kindergarten, milk bar/post office, and a V/Line bus stop. It is 18.9 km and 17 minutes drive from the larger town of Kyabram, and 38.6 km and 33 minutes drive to Shepparton.
Girgarre has been home to a large Heinz factory, a significant regional employer. Waste water from the factory was made available for farmers for irrigation and stock use.
On 27 May 2011 Heinz announced it would close the Girgarre factory with a loss of 146 jobs.[4] Heinz also announced job losses for its factories in Northgate (Brisbane), and Wagga Wagga.[5] Heinz said it expected to complete the lay-offs within 12 months.[4] Heinz factory has been sold to a food recycling animal foods processor. When the factory is operational it is expected to employ about 30 workers.
Sport plays a vital role in providing an exercise outlet for the town, and there are many locals members of the local football, cricket, tennis and netball clubs. Girgarre Football Club (the "Kangaroos") is the local football team.
One of the most popular recent additions to the town has been a local farmers market, held on the second Sunday of every month in the park at the rear of the Town Hall. Hundreds of people come from near and far to shop at the market which features excellent range local produce, crafts and a well attended popular live poultry auction.
The town has a Community Cottage which provides training opportunities and produces the local newspaper, the Girgarre Gazette. The Gazette is produced monthly with features including local news, along with news from the wider district and the state. The Community Cottage also operates the Community Car, driven by volunteers, which ensures people within the district are able to attend appointments - both locally and in Bendigo and Melbourne. The community has a very strong sense of self and has a strong volunteer base.
References
- "2016 Census QuickStats Girgarre". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 11 April 2008.
- "Girgarre Stanhope Rail Trail - Trail Description". Railtrails Australia. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
- "Heinz Australia announces productivity initiatives to accelerate future growth" (Press release). Heinz Australia. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- Gearin, Mary (27 May 2011). "Heinz slashes jobs across Australia". World Today. ABC Radio National. Retrieved 27 May 2011.