The City of Stawell was a Local Government Area located about 230 kilometres (143 mi) west-northwest of Melbourne

Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

, the state capital of Victoria

Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. The city covered an area of 23.73 square kilometres (9.2 sq mi), and existed from 1869 until 1994. Its area was surrounded by the separate and largely rural Shire of Stawell

Shire of Stawell

The Shire of Stawell was a Local Government Area located about west-northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1994.-History:...

.

History

Stawell was first incorporated as a borough on 12 November 1869, and became a town on 18 September 1957. It was proclaimed as a city on 12 November 1989.

On 20 January 1995, the City was abolished, and merged with Town of St Arnaud

Town of St Arnaud

The Town of St Arnaud was a Local Government Area located about northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The town covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1994. Its area was surrounded by the Shire of Kara Kara.-History:...

, most of the Shires of Stawell

Shire of Stawell

The Shire of Stawell was a Local Government Area located about west-northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1994.-History:...

 and Kara Kara

Shire of Kara Kara

The Shire of Kara Kara was a Local Government Area located about northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1994.-History:...

, the Grampians National Park

Grampians National Park

The Grampians National Park is a national park in Victoria, Australia, 235 kilometres west of Melbourne. The Park was listed on the Australian National Heritage List on 15 December 2006 for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern...

 within the Shire of Wimmera

Shire of Wimmera

The Shire of Wimmera was a Local Government Area located in the Wimmera region of western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1862 until 1995. Although its shire offices were located in Horsham, Horsham was governed by a separate city council.-History:Wimmera was...

 and parts of the Shires of Ararat

Shire of Ararat

The Shire of Ararat was a Local Government Area located about west-northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1994...

, Avoca

Shire of Avoca

The Shire of Avoca was a Local Government Area located about northwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1994.-History:...

, Donald

Shire of Donald

The Shire of Donald was a Local Government Area located about west-northwest of Bendigo in western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1995.-History:...

 and Dunmunkle

Shire of Dunmunkle

The Shire of Dunmunkle was a Local Government Area located about west of Bendigo and east of Horsham in western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1877 until 1995.-History:...

 into the Shire of Northern Grampians.

The City of Stawell was at one stage divided into wards, but they were abolished on 27 January 1965 and the 12 councillors represented the entire area.

Population

Year	Population
1954	5,463
1958	5,810*
1961	5,506
1966	5,904
1971	5,800
1976	5,830
1981	6,160
1986	6,252
1991	6,339

* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.