Hamilton is a city in the Southern Grampians Shire of Victoria, Australia. It is located at the intersection of the Glenelg Highway (from Ballarat to Mount Gambier) and the Henty Highway (from Portland to Horsham). The Hamilton Highway connects it to Geelong. VIC redirects here. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1641x1097, 133 KB) Summary Shows location of w: Hamilton, Victoria marked in red in the Australian state of w:Victoria. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Municipalities of Greater Melbourne City of Banyule City of Bayside City of Boroondara City of Brimbank Shire of Cardinia City of Casey City of Darebin City of Frankston City of Glen Eira City of Greater Dandenong City of Hobsons Bay City of Hume City of Kingston City of Knox City... Southern Grampians Shire is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. ... State Electoral District is a term used to refer to a voting area within Australian states. ... The Electoral district of Lowan is a rural Lower House electoral district of the Victorian Parliament. ... The Australian House of Representatives is elected from 150 single-member districts called Divisions. ... The Division of Wannon is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Southern Grampians Shire is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... The Glenelg Highway (B160) is a highway in south-eastern Australia, linking Ballarat with Mount Gambier. ... A view of Ballarat East and Eureka from Sovereign Hill. ... Mount Gambier is the second most populous city in South Australia after Adelaide, the capital of the State. ... The city of Portland () is the oldest European settlement in what is now the state of Victoria, Australia. ... Horsham is the largest city by population and regional centre of the Wimmera region of Australia, located at the Western Highway (connecting Melbourne to Adelaide) intersection with the Henty Highway (from Portland north towards Mildura). ... The Hamilton Highway (state route B140) runs from Geelongs CBD (where it terminates at the end of Aberdeen Street) to the west Victorian town of Hamilton running through the towns of Cressy, Inverleigh, Lismore, and Mortlake before terminating in Hamilton. ... This article is about the Victorian city; the name may also refer to City of Geelong or Geelong city centre. ...

Hamilton is in the federal Division of Wannon. Type Lower house Speaker of the House David Hawker, Liberal since November 16, 2004 Members 150 Political groups Liberal Party (74) ALP (60) National Party (12) Country Liberal Party (1) Last elections 9 October 2004 Meeting place Parliament House, Canberra, ACT Web site House of Representatives Entrance to the House... The Division of Wannon is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ...

Hamilton claims to be the "Wool Capital of the World", based on its strong historical links to sheep grazing which continue today.

History

Early history

Hamilton was built near the border of three traditional indigenous tribal territories: the Gunditjmara land that stretches south to the coast, the Tjapwurong land to the north east and the Bunganditj territory to the west. People who lived in these areas tended to be settled rather than nomadic. The region was (and is) fertile and well-watered, leading to an abundance of wildlife, and no need to travel far for food. Physical remains such as the weirs and fish traps found in Lake Condah to the south of Hamilton , as well as accounts of early white settlers support local indigenous oral histories of well established settlements in the area. Language(s) Several hundred Indigenous Australian languages (many extinct or nearly so), Australian English, Australian Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Creole, Kriol Religion(s) Primarily Christian, with minorities of other religions including various forms of Traditional belief systems based around the Dreamtime Related ethnic groups see List of Indigenous Australian group... Gunditjmara are an Indigenous Australian group from south west Victoria. ...

White settlement and conflict

On September 12, 1836, the explorer, Major Thomas Mitchell was the first European to travel through the area where Hamilton later developed. His reports of the fertility and abundance of ‘Australia Felix’ (as he called this region of Western Victoria) encouraged pastoralists to move to the area and establish large sheep runs. By 1839 there were a number of settlers in the area including the Wedge family whose property ‘The Grange' was located within the present town site. is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1838 map of Victoria and New South Wales showing towns, major rivers and the limits of the Colony at the time. ... Australia Felix is also a novel by Henry Handel Richardson. ... Pastoralists are people whose main source of livelihood is livestock with which they move seasonally in search of fresh pasture and water. ...

Conflict between the pastoralists and the indigenous population soon arose. The local people resisted encroachment on their traditional tribal lands. They stole and killed sheep for food and out of retaliation for the settlers' use of their hunting territory as grazing-land. It seems apparent that a number of Aborigines in the Western district were murdered in this period in the resulting conflicts.

When Governor La Trobe visited The Grange in 1841 he noted the extent of interracial violence and appointed Acheson French as police magistrate to the area. A constable and a detachment of mounted police, to be based at The Grange, were also appointed and convicts from Portland erected a hut for the magistrate and barracks for the troopers on the site of the present courthouse and police station on Martin and Thompson Streets. Charles La Trobe (March 20, 1801 - December 4, 1875) was the first lieutenant-governor of the state of Victoria. ...

Another result of the conflict was the establishment of an Aboriginal reserve, intended for the protection of the indigenous people. This further angered the pastoralists who regarded the reserve and its administration as hostile to their interests. Violence and brutality appear to have continued unchecked until Governor La Trobe ordered the Portland Commissioner, all his border police and a contingent of ‘native police’ to the Grange in September 1842. This, along with the effects of dislocation, European diseases, and killings marked the end of most of the indigenous resistance in the area. From as early as the 1830s, a Native Police Corps was established in the Australian colony of New South Wales (now Victoria). ...

Birth of the town

Hamilton in 1927

The proximity of The Grange to other properties and to important tracks between Portland and New South Wales led to the gradual emergence of a small town. This included an inn, blacksmith, a small store and some shanties and businesses nearby. The site was a small social centre for surrounding pastoral properties, with horse races being held along the Grange Burn flat. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

The desire for a school prompted a town survey that commenced in 1849. The township of Hamilton was formally declared in 1851. The town was most likely named after Hamilton near Glasgow in Scotland due to the large proportion of Scottish settlers. The Mausoleum of the Dukes of Hamilton, in the grounds of the old Hamilton Palace Hamilton (Hamaltan, in Scottish Gaelic) is a town in Central Scotland. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ...

Local Government

Since the restructure of Victorian Local Government in the early 1990s, Hamilton has been served by the Southern Grampians Shire Council. There are currently 7 councillors serving the 6652 km² shire, which includes the main population centre of Hamilton as well as surrounding localities. Voting is by proportional representation and Local government elections are held once every four years. Along with all other Victorian councils, the next elections will be held in the last Saturday in November, 2008. Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ...

Industry and Employment

Sheep grazing and agriculture are the primary industries in the surrounding shire, the area producing as much as 15% of Australia’s total wool clip ^[2]. Inside the city of Hamilton the majority of employment is provided by the retail industry (20%) and the Health and Community Services sector (14.5%). The unemployment rate at the 2001 Census was put at 6.1%, with a workforce participation rate of 58.9% ^[3].

Media

Newspaper

Hamilton and the surrounding areas is serviced by The Hamilton Spectator, a tri-weekly local newspaper published by the Spectator-Observer newspaper group. Established in 1859 as the Hamilton Courier, it became the Hamilton Spectator and Grange District Advertiser in 1860, and later The Hamilton Spectator.

Radio

There are two radio stations that services Hamilton and the surrounding areas:

• [3HA (AM Radio) http://theradio.com.au/localworks.aspx?PageID=6223&Station=3HA_Hamilton]
• [Mixx FM (FM Radio) http://theradio.com.au/hitmusic.aspx?PageID=6710&Station=Mixx_FM_Hamilton]

Both are owned by the Ace Radio network which operates radio stations in the Western District of Victoria. ACE Radio Broadcasters is Victorias Largest Regional Broadcaster Ace Radio Owns 2AY, 3HA, 3SH, 3GV, 3YB, 3CS, 3WM, MIXXFM and CoastFM. ACE Radio Categories: Australia-related stubs | Companies of Australia | ACE Radio ...

Attractions and events

From 1881 William Guilfoyle, the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne was employed to design the Hamilton Botanic Gardens. Set in four acres (16,000 m²), the gardens are distinguished by rare botanic species, a superbly restored rotunda, a small zoo and playground and the ornate Thomson Fountain. The National Trust of Australia classified the gardens in 1990 with eight tree species listed on the Register of Significant Trees in Victoria. Year 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... William Robert Guilfoyle (December 8, 1840 - June 25, 1912) was a landscape gardener and botanist in Victoria, Australia, acknowledged as the architect of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne and was responsible for the design of many parks and gardens in Melbourne and regional Victoria. ... One of many delightful vistas in Melbournes Royal Botanic Gardens. ... The National Trust of Australia is a community-based, non-government organisation, committed to promoting and conserving Australias indigenous, natural and historic heritage through its advocacy work and its custodianship of heritage places and objects. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...

Sheepvention, a wool-related trade-show and exhibition is held in the Hamilton Show-grounds in the first Monday & Tuesday of August each year, and attracts up to 20,000 visitors. It has a similar feel to an Agricultural show but is focused on wool and sheep. The Hamilton Agricultural Show is normally held in November. The Grand Parade at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. ...

The Big Wool Bales is an attraction consisting of five linked structures designed to resemble five gigantic woolbales - a tribute to the importance of the local wool industry. Together they form a building containing wool-related displays such as historical memorabilia, including farming and shearing equipment, wool scales, old horse harnesses, wool presses and weaving looms, along with wool samples and rural clothing.

The Keeping Place is a small museum and living history centre run by local indigenous people.

The Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum celebrates the founding of Ansett Australia in Hamilton in 1935 and displays items from the early days of the Ansett Airlines' operation. “Ansett” redirects here. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ...

Sport

There are many sporting clubs and leagues in the Hamilton area. The town is served by its two Australian rules football teams; Hamilton Magpies and Hamilton Imperials. Both teams compete in the Western Border Football League. Netball, field hockey, basketball and cricket are other popular sports in the town. Hamilton opened a large Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre in March 2006, which contains four basketball courts, a twenty-metre indoor swimming pool, and a large gym. Hamilton also has an extensive rowing program, with three clubs; Hamilton Rowing Club (HRC), The Hamilton and Alexandra College Rowing Club (HACRC), and Monivae College Rowing Club. High marking is a key skill and spectacular attribute of Australian rules football Precise field and goal kicking using the oval shaped ball is the key skill in Australian rules football Australian rules football, also known as Australian football, Aussie rules, or simply football or footy is a code of... A netball game in Australia Netball is a non contact sport similar to, and derived from, basketball. ... A game of field hockey in progress Field hockey is a sport for men, women and children in many countries around the world. ... This article is about the sport. ... This article is about the sport. ... For the 2003 film, see Swimming Pool (film). ... Modern indoor gymnasium with pull-down basketball hoops. ...

Wildlife and Parks

The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is native to the area, and a reserve has been built to protect the endangered species. In more recent times (2007), the numbers both within the reserve and without have been severely diminished to the point of near extinction as a result of extended drought. Within the city the public lands adjoining the river and Lake Hamilton have been subject to spasmodic tree-planting projects. To this date, these spaces await a serious undertaking to add to the city's natural aesthetic and create a more attractive recreation space. Mount Napier the highest point on the Western District Plains is found 15kms south of Hamilton. Binomial name Gray, 1838 The Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Perameles gunni), lives in grassland and grassy woodlands of south Victoria and Tasmania in Australia. ... The Siberian Tiger is a subspecies of tiger that are critically endangered. ... Mount Napier, Victoria, Australia, is one of the youngest volcanoes in Australia, and is a composite lava shield with a superimposed scoria cone. ...

Prominent Hamiltonians

• Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was the member for Wannon, and lived at ‘Nareen’ a station near Hamilton.
• Sir Reginald Ansett, founder of Ansett Airways, started his first air service here in 1936.
• David Hawker - current speaker for the Australian Parliament is the member for Wannon

This article is about the former prime minister of Australia; for the Western Australian public servant, see Malcolm Fraser (surveyor). ... Station is the term for a large Australian landholding used for livestock production. ... This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers, and should be edited to rectify this. ... Ansett aircraft at Melbourne Airport after the airlines collapse in 2001 Ansett Australia, or Ansett, was a dominant Australian domestic and international airline, which is in liquidation as of mid_2004. ... The Hon. ... The Division of Wannon is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ...

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics logo The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is the Australian government agency that collects and publishes statistical information about Australia. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Other references

• Ian Clark, Scars in the Landscape: A Register of Massacre Sites in Western Victoria, 1803-1859 (Canberra: AIATSIS, 1995).

External links

• Southern Grampians Shire Council (inc Hamilton)

• The Department for Victorian Communities - Southern Grampians Shire Council Page
• The Department of Sustainability and the Environment - Hamilton Statistics

• The People's Voice: Australian Community History Online - Hamilton

• Sheepvention

• The Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum

Coordinates: 37°44′S, 142°01′E VIC redirects here. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre. ... Location of Ararat in Victoria (red) Town Hall Ararat () is a city in south-west Victoria, Australia. ... A view of Ballarat East and Eureka from Sovereign Hill. ... Benalla (36°33′S 145°58′E) is an agricultural town of about 12,000 people on the Hume Freeway in north-eastern Victoria, Australia, about 40 kilometres south of Wangaratta. ... For the electoral division in the Australian House of Representatives, see Division of Bendigo. ... This article is about the Victorian city; the name may also refer to City of Geelong or Geelong city centre. ... Horsham is the largest city by population and regional centre of the Wimmera region of Australia, located at the Western Highway (connecting Melbourne to Adelaide) intersection with the Henty Highway (from Portland north towards Mildura). ... Moe (postcode: 3825, ) is a town in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. ... Morwell () is a large country town in central Gippsland, a region in the east of Victoria. ... Mildura is a locality in northwestern Victoria, Australia. ... The city of Portland () is the oldest European settlement in what is now the state of Victoria, Australia. ... Sale is a cathedral city in the Australian state of Victoria, in Wellington Shire. ... Location of Shepparton in Victoria (red) Shepparton is the fifth largest city in Victoria, Australia. ... Town Hall Swan Hill ( ) is a city in the north west of Victoria, Australia. ... Traralgon is a regional city located in the Latrobe Valley in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. ... Wangaratta is a cathedral city of about 19,000 people in the northeast of Victoria, Australia, about 230 km (150 mi) from Melbourne along the Hume Highway, with Benalla 45 km (25 mi) to the southwest, and Albury-Wodonga 72 km (40 mi) to the northeast. ... Warrnambool is a regional city of around 32,000 people on the south-western coast of Victoria, Australia, located in the municipality City of Warrnambool. ... Wodonga () is a small city on the Victorian side of the border with New South Wales, 300 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, Australia. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...