Jeparit, population 370, is situated on the Wimmera River in Western Victoria, Australia, 370 kilometres north west of Melbourne.
The area had been home to the Gromiluk Aboriginal people prior to European settlement, which began in the 1880s, when German Lutheran immigrants began to settle and grow wheat. The town was gazetted in 1889.
The name Jeparit is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word meaning “home of small birds”
Jeparit’s most famous son is former Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies, who was born in the town in 1894. He is commemorated by a local park and spire, which is inscribed:
This spire has been erected by the people of Jeparit and district, to honour Sir Robert Menzies. The spire symbolises the rise to world recognition of a boy who was born in Jeparit and who rose by his own efforts to become Australia's Prime Minister and a statesman recognised and honoured throughout the world.
Jeparit's great claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Sir Robert Menzies, prime minister of Australia from 1939-1941 and 1949-1966.
The area which includes the Jeparit townsite was taken up by Robert von Stieglitz in 1846 while, just to the north, was 'Halbacutya', established in the same year by John Coppock.
It was assumed to be the refuge of escapees from the POW camp at Langwarrin.
Feeds |
Contact