Moolap, Victoria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MoolapGeelong, Victoria |
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Salt pans at the Cheetham Saltworks.
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| Population | 1,373 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 3224 | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Greater Geelong | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Geelong | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Corangamite | ||||||||||||||
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Moolap is a suburb in Victoria, Australia, near the city of Geelong. It's a place where people live (residential) and where businesses and factories operate (industrial).
The name Moolap comes from an Aboriginal word, moo-laa. This word was used for a nearby spot called Point Henry. It's thought to mean 'men gathering to go fishing'.
Moolap is part of the City of Greater Geelong. In 2016, about 1,373 people lived there.
Contents
Moolap's Past: A Look Back in Time
Moolap has a rich history with many interesting events. Let's explore some of the important moments that shaped this area.
Early Settlers and Famous Faces
In the early 1850s, some of the first European settlers arrived in Moolap. One important family was that of Horatio Wills. He was a politician, which means he helped make laws for the area.
His son, Tom Wills, grew up to be a very famous sportsman. Tom Wills was a star cricketer and helped create Australian rules football, a popular sport in Australia today!
Saltworks: A Salty History
In 1888, a man named Richard Cheetham started a saltworks in Moolap. A saltworks is a place where salt is collected from seawater. This industry was very important to Moolap for over 100 years!
The Cheetham Saltworks site is now a heritage-listed place. This means it's an important historical site that is protected.
Key Dates in Moolap's History
Here are some important events from Moolap's past:
- Before Europeans arrived, the area was home to the Bengalat balug clan of the Wathaurong Tribe.
- The first European explorers, Lieutenant John Murray and Captain Matthew Flinders, visited in 1802.
- From 1803 to 1835, William Buckley was the first European to live in the area.
- In 1854, the Whitehorse Hotel opened.
- In 1855, the Moolap Inn started operating.
- A church chapel was built in 1858.
- Moolap State School No. 1143 opened in 1871, providing education for local children.
- The Cheetham Saltworks was established in 1888.
Point Henry: Moolap's Industrial Neighbor
Point Henry is a peninsula (a piece of land almost surrounded by water) located about 5 kilometers east of Geelong's city center. It's mostly an industrial area, meaning it has many factories and businesses.
The main road to Point Henry is Point Henry Road, which starts in Moolap. This road leads to the Alcoa Point Henry aluminium smelter, which is a factory that used to make aluminum. There are also other smaller industries in the area. A small weather station is also located on the peninsula.
Point Henry was named after a boat called Henry, which belonged to a merchant named Henry Reed.
Images for kids
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Salt pans at the Cheetham Saltworks.
