Malmsbury, Victoria

Malmsbury is a town in central Victoria, Australia on the Old Calder Highway (C794), 95 km north-west of the state capital, Melbourne and 11 km north-west of Kyneton. Situated close by the Coliban River, Malmsbury has a population of 831.[1] Malmsbury is in the north western area of the Shire of Macedon Ranges local government area.

Malmsbury
Victoria
The Calder Highway at Malmsbury
Malmsbury
Coordinates37°11′20″S 144°23′6″E
Population831 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3446
Elevation462 m (1,516 ft)
Location
  • 95 km (59 mi) from Melbourne
  • 54 km (34 mi) from Bendigo
  • 11 km (7 mi) from Kyneton
LGA(s)Shire of Macedon Ranges
State electorate(s)Macedon
Federal Division(s)Bendigo
Localities around Malmsbury:
Taradale Elphinstone Metcalfe
Drummond North Malmsbury Kyneton
Drummond Lauriston Kyneton
The Mansions, a bluestone building in Malmsbury.

The original inhabitants of the local area were the Dja Dja Wurrung people. European settlement began with squatters raising sheep and cattle. Gold was discovered in 1858 and the town became a service centre for diggers travelling to Bendigo and Castlemaine. Malmesbury [sic] Post Office opened on 9 November 1854, closed within two months, reopened in 1856, and was renamed Malmsbury around 1896,[2] although the name Malmesbury remains in occasional use.[3]

Edward Davy, who invented the electric relay, making long-distance telegraphy possible, was mayor of Malmsbury three times in the mid-nineteenth century.[4]

The Malmsbury area is known for its deposits of bluestone, used in the construction of notable buildings both locally and throughout the state. The town also houses the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, a custodial centre for young adult males aged 18–21 deemed too vulnerable for adult prison. On 25 January 2017, there was a riot at the Youth Justice Centre which involved 30 inmates, 15 of these inmates escaped the premises. 8 of these escapees were arrested shortly after however, the other 7 fled the area in stolen cars. Witnesses reported vehicles travelling at high speed through the Castlemaine area and footage was recorded of offenders stealing petrol from a service station.[5]

Malmsbury has a railway station on the Melbourne to Bendigo railway line. The Malmsbury Viaduct is a large masonry arch rail bridge constructed over the Coliban River in 1859 and is classified "A" by the National Trust. The town's school uses the viaduct as its emblem. A stretch of the Calder Freeway (M79) bypassing Malmsbury was officially opened on 12 April 2008, and the removal of heavy through traffic was celebrated eight days later by the holding of a "Monster Street Party" in the town.

Since the Calder Freeway bypass construction, Malmsbury has gained a reputation as a getaway destination for tourists across the country. During this period several restaurants have opened up in the town such as Small Holdings, The Moto Bean Cafe and the resurgent Mill once again under new ownership. Each of these new destinations complements the older establishments such as the Malmsbury Bakery.[6]

In December 2019, Malmsbury had its pharmacy opened to serve the local community in Malmsbury and its surroundings.[7]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Malmsbury, Vic(SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  2. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  3. Priestly, Susan (1984). The Victorians: vol. III, Making Their Mark. McMahons Point, NSW: Fairfax, Syme & Weldon Associates. pp. 55, 75, 102. ISBN 0-949288-03-9.
  4. Serle, Percival (1949). "Edward, Davy". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  5. "Mass escape after riot at youth correction facility in Malmsbury". www.abc.net.au. 25 January 2017.
  6. "Moto Bean Coffee Roasters - Malmsbury Victoria". Yelp.
  7. https://www.yellowpages.com.au/vic/malmsbury/malmsbury-pharmacy-1000002317937-listing.html

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