Peechelba, Victoria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids PeechelbaVictoria |
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The Peechelba Memorial Hall, several kilometres north of the township.
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| Population | 116 |
| Postcode(s) | 3678 |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Rural City of Wangaratta |
| State electorate(s) | Murray Valley |
| Federal Division(s) | Indi |
Peechelba is a small town located in the northeastern part of Victoria, Australia. It sits between the larger towns of Wangaratta and Yarrawonga. Peechelba is about 277 kilometres (172 miles) northwest of Melbourne, which is the capital city of Victoria.
In 2006, about 116 people lived in and around Peechelba. The town is known for its nearby nature reserve and its closeness to the Ovens River.
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Exploring Peechelba's Past
Peechelba has a long history, with different services opening and closing over the years. The first Post Office in the area opened on 2 September 1880. It was later renamed Bundalong South in 1883. A new Peechelba Post Office opened in 1883 but closed six years later. Another Post Office, called Peechelba Town, opened in 1890 and served the community until 1969.
Transport and Education History
A railway station was built in Peechelba and started operating on 31 October 1927. This railway line helped connect the town to other places for many years. However, the line eventually closed down on 8 December 1986.
Education also has a history in Peechelba. A primary school first opened in 1880 but closed in 1903. Later, a new school opened in Peechelba Township in 1891. This school taught local children until it closed its doors in 1970.
Peechelba Today: A Major Beef Centre
Today, Peechelba is home to a very important business called Peechelba Beef. This facility is now the largest feedlot in the Southern Hemisphere. A feedlot is a place where cattle are kept and fed before they are sent to market. This makes Peechelba a significant location for Australia's beef industry.
The Story of Mad Dan Morgan
Peechelba is also known for a dramatic event involving a famous Australian bushranger named Mad Dan Morgan. Bushrangers were outlaws in the Australian bush who often robbed people.
Morgan's Last Stand
On the evening of 8 April 1865, Mad Dan Morgan held up people at Peechelba Station, which was a large farm. During the event, a brave children's nurse named Alice Macdonald managed to alert the police. The police quickly surrounded the main house at the station.
A stockman, or cattle worker, named Jack Quinlan, was at the station. He shot and seriously wounded Morgan. Morgan died the next day, on 9 April, at 1:45 p.m. His body was then taken to the nearby town of Wangaratta. He was buried in the Wangaratta cemetery on 14 April. This event marked the end of Mad Dan Morgan's life as a bushranger.
