Echuca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids EchucaVictoria |
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 Echuca
Location in Shire of Campaspe
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| Population | 14,934 (2018) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 3564 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 96 m (315 ft) | ||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Campaspe | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Murray Plains | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Nicholls | ||||||||
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Echuca ( ə-CHOO-kə) is a town on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe River in Victoria, Australia. The border town of Moama is adjacent on the northern side of the Murray River in New South Wales. Echuca is the administrative centre and largest settlement in the Shire of Campaspe. As at June 2018, Echuca had a population of 14,934, and the population of the combined Echuca and Moama townships was 21,242
Echuca lies within traditional Yorta Yorta country. The town's name is a Yorta Yorta word meaning "meeting of the waters". Echuca is close to the junction of the Goulburn, Campaspe, and Murray Rivers. Its position at the closest point of the Murray to Melbourne contributed to its development as a thriving river port city during the 19th century.
Contents
History
Foundation
Echuca was founded by one of the most enterprising characters of the early colonial days, an ex-convict named Henry Hopwood. In 1850 he bought a small punt which operated across the Murray River near the Campaspe junction. The relatively small settlement known as "Hopwood's Ferry" became Echuca as the town grew. The Post Office known as Hopwoods Punt opened around 1854 and was renamed Echuca on 1 January 1855.
While the settlers at Echuca treated the local Aborigines with relative kindness, their way of life was irrevocably changed by their relationship with the Europeans. Having already been decimated by smallpox in the late 1820s, the 1850s saw many Aborigines developed a taste for European luxuries such as bread, tobacco and alcohol. They were relegated to the role of fringe-dwellers, living on the banks of the Murray, and occasionally entering into the European economy as fishermen and farm labourers, and by selling the possum rugs which they crafted.
Australia's inland port
By the 1870s Echuca had risen to prominence as Australia's largest inland port. Being the point of shortest distance between the Murray River and the major city of Melbourne, Echuca was both a key river port and railway junction. Steam-driven paddleboats would arrive at the 400-metre long redgum Echuca Wharf, unloading it to be transported by rail to Melbourne. Wool, wheat, other grains, livestock and timber were the most common cargoes. The wharf has been listed as a Heritage Place on the Australian National Heritage List.
This industrial boom led to a rapidly expanding population, at one stage in excess of 15,000, with more than a hundred pubs (hotels) rumoured to exist in the Echuca district at one time. An iron bridge was constructed over the Murray River in 1878 by the NSW Railways Department.
Decline
The expansion of the railways from Melbourne to most parts of Victoria, as well as improvements to roads and fickle river conditions all combined to lessen Echuca's importance, and by the 1890s the paddlesteamer fleet was in decline. An economic depression and the collapse of several banks virtually ended Echuca's role as a major economic centre, and her population began to disperse.
Geography
Climate
Echuca has a semi-arid climate (BSk).
| Climate data for Echuca RSL | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 45.3 (113.5) |
46.8 (116.2) |
40.5 (104.9) |
36.4 (97.5) |
28.4 (83.1) |
24.4 (75.9) |
24.2 (75.6) |
26.8 (80.2) |
34.0 (93.2) |
38.4 (101.1) |
43.2 (109.8) |
44.6 (112.3) |
46.8 (116.2) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 31.1 (88.0) |
30.7 (87.3) |
27.3 (81.1) |
22.6 (72.7) |
17.8 (64.0) |
14.6 (58.3) |
13.6 (56.5) |
15.5 (59.9) |
18.3 (64.9) |
22.0 (71.6) |
26.0 (78.8) |
28.7 (83.7) |
22.3 (72.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 15.0 (59.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
12.7 (54.9) |
9.2 (48.6) |
6.4 (43.5) |
4.3 (39.7) |
3.4 (38.1) |
4.4 (39.9) |
6.0 (42.8) |
8.2 (46.8) |
10.9 (51.6) |
13.0 (55.4) |
9.0 (48.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 5.0 (41.0) |
5.8 (42.4) |
1.0 (33.8) |
0.4 (32.7) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−4.5 (23.9) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
0.2 (32.4) |
1.3 (34.3) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 27.5 (1.08) |
27.0 (1.06) |
31.1 (1.22) |
32.4 (1.28) |
40.0 (1.57) |
42.5 (1.67) |
41.4 (1.63) |
42.4 (1.67) |
38.6 (1.52) |
42.6 (1.68) |
32.8 (1.29) |
29.2 (1.15) |
427.7 (16.84) |
| Average precipitation days | 3.9 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 5.9 | 8.3 | 10.3 | 11.5 | 11.4 | 9.5 | 8.3 | 6.0 | 5.1 | 88.5 |
Culture
Paddle steamers
The port is home to the largest paddle steamer collection in the world, which includes the world's oldest operating wooden hulled paddle steamer, the PS Adelaide built in 1866. There are several historic vessels operating out of Echuca on a daily commercial basis such as PS Pevensey (built 1911), PS Alexander Arbuthnot (built 1923), PS Adelaide (built 1866) operating from the wharf and the PS Emmylou (built 1980 with a steam engine in use from 1906), PS Canberra (built 1913) and PV Pride of the Murray (built 1924 as a logging barge C24) operating from Riverboat Dock, a short distance downstream from the main wharf. These vessels conduct between 4-6 1hour cruises daily, while the PS Emmylou offers 1.5 hour lunch cruises twice daily and 2 x 1hour cruises daily, and in peak seasons 2-3hour dinner cruising and 1,2 & 3 night accommodated cruises for up to 18 passengers. There are also a number of privately owned paddle steamers in Echuca. As well as the paddle steamers there are numerous houseboats, many of which can be hired. The MV Mary Ann (built 1981) operates as a cruising restaurant in busier times.
The Port of Echuca is also restoring the PV Success to full working order. When operational, it will be added to the fleet of paddle steamers at Echuca Wharf.
Events and festivals
Annual activities include the Club Marine Southern 80 waterski race, the largest waterski race in the world (February), the Riverboats Music Festival (February), the Echuca Moama Weddings Expo" (May), the Steam Rally Echuca" (Long weekend June) and the Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival" (July).
In popular culture
In 1984, the Australian television mini-series, All the Rivers Run, based on a novel by Nancy Cato and starring Sigrid Thornton and John Waters, was filmed in and around Echuca. The local Paddle Steamers PS Pevensey and PS Emmylou featured in the mini-series as the PS Philadelphia and PS Providence, respectively. The airing of this series around Australia and internationally revitalised Echuca's tourism economy.
In 1985, parts of the Australian telemovie My Brother Tom (based on the book by James Aldridge) were filmed in Echuca.
In the TV series Glitch, Vic, the district supervisor for the police forces of Echuca, the fictional Yoorana, and surrounding communities, is based in Echuca.
Restaurants and dining
Echuca is renowned for its variety of restaurants and eating services available. International cuisines are all easily accessible in the town including Thai, Chinese, Italian, Indian and Greek. Another major aspect of Echuca's tourism is the well known wharf-side restaurant "Oscar W's", currently closed for renovations but a popular attraction for rural weddings and fine dining due to its allocation of a 2013 AGFG Chef's Hat.
Transport
Echuca is connected over the Murray River to Moama by the Echuca-Moama Road Rail Bridge, completed in 1878. This historically significant bridge has riveted iron spans supported on cast iron pillars. Trains no longer run on this bridge; a dedicated rail bridge has been constructed next to the old bridge, which now only carries road vehicles.
A second Murray River crossing is currently being constructed. The project is due to be completed in 2024.
Echuca-Moama Transit runs three bus services hourly to Echuca East, Echuca South and Moama. The terminus is the Old Echuca Post Office on Hare Street. V/Line operates the Echuca line rail service from the local station to Melbourne via Bendigo. Echuca Airport is also located nearby.
Sister city
Echuca's sister city was Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. However, Whitehorse terminated the special relationship in 2008.
Economy
The main industry in Echuca is tourism; it earns about $250 million a year for the Echuca economy. Visitors are attracted to the town by its warm climate, the Murray River and its paddle steamers, recreational attractions, and historical features, some of which have come to public awareness by the Nancy Cato novel All the Rivers Run which was made into a TV miniseries. These include the Port of Echuca which has the world's largest fleet of operating paddle steamers.
Echuca is also a major regional service economy.
Agriculture is very important to the region. Dairy, wheat, sheep, pig, and cattle farms are all within close proximity.
Sport
The town has two Australian rules football clubs. The Murray Bombers competes in the Goulburn Valley Football League, while the Echuca United competes in the Murray Football League.
The town is also home to the Echuca Rockets, an inclusive all ability football team competing in the Victorian FIDA Football League - Northern Conference.
Echuca has numerous other teams competing in regional and state sporting leagues, including netball, soccer, and field hockey. Echuca formerly fielded a Baseball team, the Rich River Mariners, who played in the Goulburn Valley Baseball League. The team disbanded in 2006.
Echuca has a horse racing club, the Echuca Racing Club, which schedules around twelve race meetings a year including the Echuca Cup meeting in March.
Echuca Harness Racing Club conducts regular meetings at its racetrack in the town.
Golfers play at the Echuca Back Nine Golf Course on Eyre and McKenzie Streets.
Water sports:
- Swimming: Echuca Swimming Club. 50 meter indoor pool. YMCA Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre.
- Canoeing: Echuca-Moama Canoe Club and Inland Outriggers.
- Waterskiing: The Southern 80 Ski Race held in February finishing line is in Echuca, starting at the Torrumbarry Weir. Established over 50 years ago the race is held by the Moama Water Sports Club. The Southern 80 has become iconic with the 2-day event attracting more than 80,000 visitors to the area.
In 2006 the Inaugural Barry Beehag race was established in honour of Barry Beehag, a founding and life member of the Moama Water Sports Club.
Education
Echuca is served by several primary schools: 208 Primary School, Echuca East Primary School, Echuca Specialist School, St. Mary's Primary School and the newly constructed Twin Rivers Primary School (opened in 2018). Twin Rivers was formed by merging the former Echuca West and Echuca South Primary schools, and shares a place with Echuca Twin River Specialist School (formerly Echuca Specialist School)
Echuca has two high schools. Echuca College, a state secondary college, was formed in 2006 by the amalgamation of Echuca Technical College and Echuca High School. St. Joseph's College, a Catholic co-ed secondary school, occupies the site of a former Brigidine convent which opened in 1886. Moama Anglican Grammar School, just over the border in NSW also attracts students from Echuca.
Bendigo TAFE has a campus in Echuca, offering education up to Diploma level in various fields.
Notable people
- Henry Hopwood (1813–1869), founder of Echuca, was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England.
- Hugh McKenzie (Australian politician), Politician and stock station agent.
- Actor and Model Travis Fimmel.
- Singer and Eurovision Song Contest 2017 entrant Isaiah Firebrace.
- Singer Benny Walker
- Country music artist Brian Lord.
- Country music artist Gareth Leach
- Actor Dion Williams
- Basketballer Donna Burns.
- AFL footballer (draft) Jordan Williams (Hawthorn).
- AFL footballer Daniel Connors (Richmond).
- AFL footballer Aidyn Johnson (Port Adelaide).
- AFL footballer Sam Sheldon (Brisbane).
- AFL footballer Jack Viney (Melbourne).
- AFL footballer Andrew Walker (Carlton).
- AFL footballer Clayton Oliver (Melbourne).
- AFL footballer Michael Braun (West Coast Eagles)
- AFL footballer Oliver Wines (Port Adelaide)
Images for kids
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Campaspe Shire Council Building
See also
In Spanish: Echuca para niños
