Chiltern, Victoria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ChilternVictoria |
|
|---|---|
Main street
|
|
 Chiltern
Location in Shire of Indigo
|
|
| Population | 1,580 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 3683 |
| Elevation | 209 m (686 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Shire of Indigo |
| State electorate(s) | Benambra |
| Federal Division(s) | Indi |
Chiltern is a historic town in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the northeast part of the state, between the towns of Wangaratta and Wodonga. Chiltern is part of the Shire of Indigo.
According to the 2021 census, about 1,580 people live in Chiltern. It is famous as the birthplace of John McEwen, who later became the 18th Prime Minister of Australia. The town is also very close to the beautiful Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park. Chiltern used to be on the main road connecting Melbourne and Sydney. However, the Hume Freeway now goes around the town, about one kilometre to the south.
Contents
History of Chiltern
The land around Chiltern has a long history. It is the traditional home of the Dhudhuroa people, who are the original Aboriginal inhabitants of this area.
Ancient Art and Early Days
Near Chiltern, in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, you can find the Yeddonba Aboriginal Cultural Site. This special place has ancient artworks created by the Dhudhuroa people. One painting, made with ochre (a natural earth pigment), is thought to show a Thylacine. This animal, also known as the Tasmanian Tiger, is now extinct. It disappeared from mainland Australia thousands of years ago.
The area where Chiltern now stands was once part of a large cattle farm called the Wahgunyah cattle run. It was known as Black Dog Creek. The town itself was planned in 1853. However, it only really started to grow when gold was discovered there in 1858 and 1859. This happened during the big Victorian Gold Rush period. The town's Post Office officially opened on 1 September 1859. The name "Chiltern" comes from the Chiltern Hills in England.
Historic Buildings
Many of Chiltern's buildings are considered very important historically. They are protected by the National Trust. In 1859, many shop owners and miners from nearby places like Beechworth moved to Chiltern because of the gold rush.
The Grape Vine Hotel, located at the corner of Main Street and Conness Street, has a very special feature. It boasts the largest grapevine in Australia, which was planted way back in 1867.
Gold Rush in Chiltern
The discovery of gold by John Conness in late 1858 and early 1859 caused a huge number of people to move to the Chiltern area. Many miners left the goldfields around Beechworth to come to Chiltern. This was especially true during a big drought in 1859, which made it hard to find gold in other areas.
Different Ways to Mine Gold
Unlike the gold mining around Beechworth, which often involved washing gold from the surface, the gold in Chiltern was found deep underground. Miners had to dig shafts up to 400 feet (about 120 metres) deep. This type of mining needed different skills and working groups. Miners who were good at digging deep shafts came from places like Ballarat and Bendigo. They joined with the miners from the Ovens region.
Some of these miners from Ballarat were known for being "radical." This was because of their involvement in the Eureka Rebellion in 1854. The Eureka Rebellion was a famous protest by gold miners in Ballarat who were fighting for their rights.
Chiltern's Importance Grows
During 1859, while gold production in Beechworth went down, Chiltern's gold production went up. For a while, it looked like Chiltern might become more important than Beechworth. Beechworth had been the main town in North-eastern Victoria during the gold boom from 1852 to 1859. Chiltern did become more important than Beechworth a few years later, especially when the main railway line from Melbourne to Albury bypassed Beechworth. However, when the gold eventually ran out in the early 1900s, Chiltern's importance also decreased.
Chiltern Today
Chiltern is a lively town with several events throughout the year. It hosts an antique fair in August, where you can find old treasures. There is also an art show in June, showcasing local talent.
The Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park is very close to the town. It's a great place for nature lovers to explore.
For those who enjoy sports, golfers can play at the Chiltern Golf Club on Howlong Road.
Chiltern has also been a filming location. The winning music video for "Parlez-vous Français?" by the band Art vs. Science was filmed entirely in Chiltern in 2009. Several movies have also used Chiltern's well-preserved Victorian-era streets as a backdrop, including Walt Disney's Ride a Wild Pony.
Transport
The railway station is on the North East railway line. This means you can catch V/Line trains that travel between Melbourne and Albury from Chiltern.
Chiltern Football Club
Chiltern has an Australian Rules Football team. They play in the Tallangatta & District Football League. The team played its very first game against Beechworth in 1876.
The Chiltern Football Club has won several championships over the years.
- In the Chiltern & District Football Association, they won 12 premierships, including in 1940, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951.
- In the Ovens & King Football League, they won 10 premierships, including in 1957, 1958, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1982, 1983, 1994, 1996, and 1998.
- More recently, in the Tallangatta & District Football League, they won premierships in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Notable People
Chiltern has been home to several well-known Australians:
- Mary Gaunt, a famous novelist, was born here on 21 February 1861.
- Cecil Robert Gaunt, an army officer and Mary Gaunt's brother, was also born in Chiltern in 1863.
- Henry Handel Richardson, another well-known novelist who wrote The Getting of Wisdom, lived in Chiltern when she was young.
- John McEwen, who became the 18th Prime Minister of Australia, was born in Chiltern on 29 March 1900.
- Barrie Cassidy, a respected journalist for the ABC, grew up in Chiltern.
- Nigel Lappin and his cousin, Matthew Lappin, who both became professional Australian rules footballers, also grew up in Chiltern.
Images for kids
-
Main street of Chiltern
-
Lake View House at Chiltern, the home of author Henry Handel Richardson.
-
View of the lake from Lake View House.
