Wycheproof, Victoria
Encyclopedia
Wycheproof is a small regional locality in the centre of the Shire of Buloke, in north western Victoria
, Australia
. As of the 2006 census
, it had a population of 686. The name, Wycheproof, originates from an aboriginal word meaning 'grass on a hill', referring to Mount Wycheproof
just off the Calder Highway
, which is the smallest registered mountain in the world, standing at 148 metres (485.6 ft) above sea level or 43 metres (141.1 ft) above the surrounding plains. The economy of Wycheproof is driven mainly by wheat
.
The railway from Bendigo and Korong Vale reached the area in 1883 and was later extended north. The township was established beside the railway and the Post Office opened on April 1, 1884 replacing earlier offices from 1876 serving the rural area named Wycheproof (renamed to Moffat) and Mount Wycheproof. The last regular passenger service though the local railway station
was from Bendigo to Sea Lake on 7 May 1977 and was operated by a DERM
. The town is unusual in that even today the railway line runs in the centre of the main street.
In an attempt to attract new residents, the local community has developed a project to offer otherwise vacant farmhouses for rent
at A$
1 per week. Expressions of interest in the scheme have been heard from Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Ireland as well as most parts of Australia. The project was inspired by a similar program at Cumnock, New South Wales
.
Wycheproof has a proud sporting history. With its neighbouring township Narraport Wycheproof has an Australian rules football
team (Wycheproof-Narraport) competing in the North Central Football League
.
Many AFL
stars are from Wycheproof including Corey Jones
, Mervyn Keane
, Greg Kennedy
and Chris Pym.
Wycheproof has a horse racing club, the Mt Wycheproof & District Racing Club, whose one meeting a year is the Mount Wycheproof Cup meeting held on Victoria Derby
day in late October or early November.
Golfers play at the course of the Wycheproof Golf Club on the Calder Highway.
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...
. As of the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, it had a population of 686. The name, Wycheproof, originates from an aboriginal word meaning 'grass on a hill', referring to Mount Wycheproof
Mount Wycheproof
Mount Wycheproof is a mountain located in the small town of Wycheproof, Australia. Standing at above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof has the distinction of being the smallest registered mountain in the world...
just off the Calder Highway
Calder Highway
Calder Highway is a Highway linking Ravenswood South in Victoria, to Mildura. North of the Victoria/New South Wales border, the highway continues north to Broken Hill, Tibooburra and the New South Wales/Queensland border as the Silver City Highway, under the standard national route shield as far...
, which is the smallest registered mountain in the world, standing at 148 metres (485.6 ft) above sea level or 43 metres (141.1 ft) above the surrounding plains. The economy of Wycheproof is driven mainly by wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
.
The railway from Bendigo and Korong Vale reached the area in 1883 and was later extended north. The township was established beside the railway and the Post Office opened on April 1, 1884 replacing earlier offices from 1876 serving the rural area named Wycheproof (renamed to Moffat) and Mount Wycheproof. The last regular passenger service though the local railway station
Wycheproof railway station, Victoria
Wycheproof railway station is a closed railway station on the Kulwin rail line in Wycheproof, Victoria, Australia. The line that runs though the town is unique in Victoria as it runs though the middle of the main street...
was from Bendigo to Sea Lake on 7 May 1977 and was operated by a DERM
Diesel Electric railmotor (VR)
The Diesel Electric Rail Motor was a railmotor operated by the Victorian Railways of Australia.-History:...
. The town is unusual in that even today the railway line runs in the centre of the main street.
In an attempt to attract new residents, the local community has developed a project to offer otherwise vacant farmhouses for rent
Farmhouse rental
Farmhouse rental programs are a common method used by many rural Australian towns to attract new residents to live in their communities. The programs generally involve offering abandoned and often semi-derelict farmhouses for rent at a nominal price, often $1 per week. The towns that offer such...
at A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
1 per week. Expressions of interest in the scheme have been heard from Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Ireland as well as most parts of Australia. The project was inspired by a similar program at Cumnock, New South Wales
Cumnock, New South Wales
Cumnock is a small town in New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the now closed cross-country railway line from Molong to Dubbo. The town is located in Cabonne Shire. At the 2006 census, Cumnock had a population of 288 people...
.
Wycheproof has a proud sporting history. With its neighbouring township Narraport Wycheproof has an Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
team (Wycheproof-Narraport) competing in the North Central Football League
North Central Football League
The North Central Football League is an Australian rules football league based in North Central Victoria, Australia.The League was formed in 1930...
.
Many AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
stars are from Wycheproof including Corey Jones
Corey Jones
Corey Jones is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Kangaroos in the Australian Football League. Jones grew up in the small Victorian town of Wycheproof, near Bendigo.-Career:...
, Mervyn Keane
Mervyn Keane
Mervyn Keane is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1972 and 1984 for the Richmond Football Club.Senior coach of the Sturt Football Club from 1985-1988 and Caulfield Grammarians.-References:...
, Greg Kennedy
Greg Kennedy
Greg Kennedy is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League.Kennedy made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in Round 1, 1972.-External links:* at...
and Chris Pym.
Wycheproof has a horse racing club, the Mt Wycheproof & District Racing Club, whose one meeting a year is the Mount Wycheproof Cup meeting held on Victoria Derby
Victoria Derby
The Victoria Derby is an Australian Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first day of Melbourne's annual Spring Racing Carnival, Victorian Derby Day, held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. A Group One race for three-year-old horses, it is raced on a left-handed turf course at a...
day in late October or early November.
Golfers play at the course of the Wycheproof Golf Club on the Calder Highway.