Gippsland Plains Local History
Gippsland Plains is situated in the eastern part of Victoria, Australia. It is a vast expanse of flat land that stretches from Sale in the west to Bairnsdale in the east, and from Lakes Entrance in the south to Newry in the north. This region has a unique topography that is chiefly characterized by coastal dunes, swamps, and fertile plains. The region is also home to a variety of flora and fauna, and the climate is generally mild and humid.
The history of Gippsland Plains dates back thousands of years to the time of the Indigenous people who were the original inhabitants of the region. The Indigenous people who lived here belonged to the Kurnai tribe, and they had a rich culture and way of life. The Kurnai people lived in harmony with the land and the environment, and they were skilled hunters, gatherers, and fishermen. They had an intricate social organization and a strong spiritual connection to the land.
European settlement began in the early 1800s when explorers, farmers, and pastoralists moved into the region. The first European explorer to enter Gippsland Plains was Angus McMillan in 1839. His findings opened up the region for further exploration and settlement, and soon after, pioneers came to the region, attracted by the fertile soil and the availability of water. They established farms and homesteads, and by the 1850s, Gippsland Plains had become a prosperous farming region, producing wool, beef, and dairy products.
The region's prosperity was further enhanced by the discovery of gold in the 1860s, which led to a rush of people coming to the area. The goldfields at Omeo, Walhalla, and Buchan attracted thousands of miners and prospectors, and the growth in population led to the establishment of towns and villages throughout the region. The gold rush also led to the development of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and railways, which helped to connect Gippsland Plains with other parts of Victoria.
In the late 1800s, Gippsland Plains became a major producer of butter and cheese. The region had a reputation for producing high-quality dairy products, and many of the farms in the region were owned by large-scale dairy cooperatives. The dairy industry in Gippsland Plains continued to grow throughout the 1900s, and by the 1960s, the region had become the largest producer of dairy products in Australia.
Gippsland Plains has also played an important role in Australia's military history. During World War II, the region was used as a training ground for soldiers, and many military facilities were established in the area. The most significant of these was the RAAF Base East Sale, which was established in 1941 and remains in operation today as the home of the Royal Australian Air Force's School of Air Warfare.
Today, Gippsland Plains is a thriving region that is home to over 250,000 people. The region has a diverse economy that is based on agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and services. It remains a major producer of dairy products, and the region is also home to a growing wine industry and a range of other industries, including timber, fishing, and aquaculture. The region's natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture continue to attract tourists from around the world, making Gippsland Plains one of the most popular destinations in Victoria.