Pomonal, Victoria

Pomonal is a town in western Victoria, Australia within the Rural City of Ararat local government area, 245 kilometres (152 mi) north west of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2016 census, Pomonal had a population of 322.[1]

Pomonal
Victoria
Pomonal as seen from Mount Cassel
Pomonal
Coordinates37°11′32″S 142°36′32″E
Population322 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3381
Location
  • 245 km (152 mi) NW of Melbourne
  • 132 km (82 mi) W of Ballarat
  • 39 km (24 mi) W of Ararat
LGA(s)Rural City of Ararat
State electorate(s)Ripon
Federal Division(s)Wannon

History

Reflecting the many orchards in the area at the time, the town was originally named Pomona after the Roman goddess. As a result of another town in Australia with the same name, this was changed in 1904 to Pomonal.[2] The Post Office reflected this change opening as Pomona on 25 December 1892 (closing 1895), re-opening as Mona on 1 August 1904 then being renamed Pomonal on 10 October 1904.[3]

Thomas Mitchell was the first European explorer in the Pomonal area, camping near the future town site in 1836 before climbing Mount William in the nearby Grampians mountain range.[4] Squatters soon followed and the town site was part of the "Lexington Run". In 1866, the Frenchman Peter DeMay was the first selector in the area, developing an orchard and small vineyard. The fruit industry developed from the 1890s, reaching a peak around 1913. From 1920, tobacco growing started in the area. The Black Friday bushfires of 1939 destroyed many of the orchards and tobacco properties.[2] Today, while there is one remaining commercial orchard, Pomonal is mainly a grazing district.[4]

In 2006 Pomonal narrowly escaped the disastrous Mount Lubra bushfire. Due to the relentless efforts of residents and fire fighting crews from New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria the town remained a green island in the 130,000 hectares of land blackened by the fire.

Transport

The town is located on the C222 between Ararat and Halls Gap. Pomonal is serviced by V/Line with an inter-town bus service operating 3 times a week between Warrnambool and Ararat.

Other Services

The township, due to its vicinity to both the Grampians and Ararat, is seen as a good location to live, with larger rural blocks and hobby farms, and a 20–30-minute commute to Ararat or Stawell.

It has a primary school (established in 1887 with the original building still used as a multi purpose room) and a general store and post office.

Nearby is Barney's Bar & Bistro.

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References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Pomonal (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  2. "Pomonal Community Action Plan" (PDF). Rural City of Ararat. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
  3. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  4. "Pomonal". Walkabout Travel Guide. Fairfax. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2007.



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