Barkly, Victoria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BarklyVictoria |
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Anglican church, Barkly
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 Barkly
Location in Pyrenees Shire
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| Population | 43 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 3381 |
| Elevation | 270 m (886 ft) |
| Location | 180 km (112 mi) NW of Melbourne |
| LGA(s) | Pyrenees Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Ripon |
| Federal Division(s) | Mallee |
Barkly is a small place in Victoria, Australia. It is about 180 kilometers (112 miles) northwest of Melbourne. Barkly is located in the Pyrenees Shire.
In 2016, a count of people (called a census) showed that only 43 people lived there. It is a quiet area today, but it has an exciting history!
Contents
Gold Discovery in Barkly
Barkly was once a very busy place because of gold! In June 1859, a group of people found gold here. This started a "gold rush," which is when many people quickly move to an area to look for gold.
The area was first called the Navarre Diggings. It was about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the town of Navarre.
The First Gold Finders
A man named James Law (1827-1910) led the group that found the gold. Because of his discovery, he received a reward. Other members of his group, John Fewster, W.R. Marshall, and George Mill, also got rewards.
A Busy Gold Rush Town
When gold was first found, about 700 people quickly came to the diggings. At the busiest time of the gold rush, more than 6,000 people were digging for gold in the area! Imagine how crowded and exciting it must have been!
Barkly's Name and History
The name of the area was changed to Barkly on November 1, 1861. It was named after Sir Henry Barkly, who was the Governor of Victoria at that time.
Post Office and School
A post office opened on June 1, 1861, and was first called Navarre Rush. It was renamed Barkly in November 1861, just like the town. This post office stayed open for many years, finally closing in 1981.
A school was also started in Barkly. It was called the Barkly Common School.
Cemeteries and Memorials
An old cemetery, now known as the Pioneer Cemetery, was set up near where the gold was first found. Later, as the town of Barkly grew about two miles away, a new cemetery was started there.
On May 5, 1985, a special headstone was placed on James Law's grave. In 1996, a memorial stone was put at the exact spot where gold was first discovered. These stones help us remember the important history of Barkly.
Barkly Today
Today, Barkly is much quieter than it was during the gold rush. It has a small Anglican church and a hall. There are also a few houses scattered around.
The old school has closed, and its buildings are no longer there. However, there is a rose and lavender farm in Barkly that people can visit at certain times of the year.
Images for kids
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Old gold diggings at Barkly
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James Law's grave in the Barkly Cemetery
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Old cottage at Barkly
