Located on the Victorian side of the Murray River, Mildura is 541 km north-west of Melbourne, 1020 km west of Sydney and 402 km north-east of Adelaide.
With its
Mediterranean-style climate, Mildura is a busy regional city offering paddle steamer cruises, surrounded by wineries and fruit farms, on the edge of the Outback.
Latji latji Aboriginal People
Latji Latji Aboriginal people had a dual-class system, divided into two moieties, the Kailpara (emu) and Makwara (eagle hawk), with matrilineal descent (through the mother). People who share the same Moiety are considered siblings and cannot marry.
Aboriginal people lived a highly mobile lifestyle as hunter/fisher/gathers. Women were primarily the gatherers of roots, fruits, nuts, eggs and honey, and small animals like snakes and goannas.
Complex skills and knowledge for foraging and hunting foods were passed down the generations.
The explorer, Edward Eyre, called the Latji Latji people the Boraipar and recorded some words from their language.
After his exploration between Adelaide and Albany in Western Australia in 1840-41, Edward Eyre was appointed Resident Magistrate and Protector of the Aborigines on the River Murray. He treated the Aboriginal people in a fair and humane way and this reduced tensions between Aboriginal people and Europeans. After Eyre returned
to England, he published his work,
Manners and customs of the Aborigines of Australia (1845). Read
here (p. 356-7)
Eyre wrote of the language of the Latji Latji, "The Boraipar or language of the Arkatko tribe, who inhabit the scrub to the east of the Murray, and the Aiawong
or river dialect, extending, with slight variations, from the junction of the Murray and Lake Alexandrina to the Darling."
Eyre said of Aboriginal people: "I have ever found them of a
lively, cheerful disposition, patiently putting up with inconveniences and privations, and never losing that natural good temper which so strongly characterizes them." Read more
here
Experts say that Latji Latji is a western Kulin language and the name of the clan comes from the word "no". There are various other "tribes" named after their own words for "no".
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| 19th century hardwood shields from South Eastern Australia near the borders of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, National gallery of Australia. |
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| A spear thrower is also commonly known as a Woomera or Miru. Used for warfare, hunting prey, rituals and ceremonies |
Robert Brough Smyth describes how the Aboriginal people of Victoria would make fire
here. Fire was important for
light, warmth, social gatherings and was believed to provide protection from evil spirits.
Fires were also used to drive game to certain areas, control pests, and enhance the growth of fresh grass to attract animals, such as kangaroos.
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| Aboriginesofvictoria01-p395-fig234 |
Aboriginal people had many spirit
beliefs which were important in the cultural landscape. Sickness was generally viewed as being caused by an evil spirit or an enemy.
For example, Ngadhundi: A ritual from the lower River Murray.
A discarded bone from food eaten by the intended victim is collected and shaped into a thin skewer. The eye of a Murray cod and flesh from a fresh corpse is coated in a paste made from fish oil and red ochre and attached to the end of the bone. The bone is then soaked in liquid from a decomposing corpse. When completed, the bone is placed near a fire until the paste melts and the lump drops off. The victim usually dies, which could be from being secretly scratched with the point causing them to die from infection.
Bark canoes were made by Aboriginal
people of the area from a single piece of bark, cut from a river red gum tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). A man would climb a tree and cut a lozenge-shaped piece of bark, with a stone axe, or sharpened sticks. See more
here |
| A canoe tree, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954) |
1830
Charles Sturt passed through
the region on his journey along the Murray River in 1830. When Sturt arrived at the junction of the Darling, he found that both rivers were too salty for the stock to drink.
1840s
Frank Jenkins established "Yerre Yerre" station in 1847, but he didn't obtain a licence. Within a few months, the Jamieson brothers took over
the property.
Hugh Jamieson wrote that Aboriginal workers were of great value to settlers and that he employed Aboriginal people exclusively for shepherding flock.
The Old Mildura Homestead is a reconstruction of the first home built in Mildura in 1847.
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| MILDURA HOMESTEAD.On the Original Old Mildura Run Sunraysia Daily (Mildura, Vic. : 1920 - 1932) |
1850s
Paddle steamers and paddle boats have been on the Murray River and Murray-Darling Basin since 1853. Barges and paddle steamers
carried supplies, passengers and goods for market winding along the Murray-Darling and passing Mildura.
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| Towing wool on the Murray River, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954) |
In 1858 the "Yerre Yerre" station property was renamed "Mildura". This is believed to be an Aboriginal word for "red earth" or "sore eyes caused by flies".
1860s
The alteration to food and water sources and completion for resources had great impacts on Aboriginal people.
The Anglican Yelta Mission (1855) west of Mildura was one of seven Aboriginal reserves in the colony, established by 1863. There were also depots for basic food supplies.
Located on the Murray-Darling junction, the mission
was established by missionaries Goodwin and John Bulmer. Aboriginal people of the Lower Murray people were, according to Richard Broome (
1.), "encouraged by an initial supply of government rations, helped to form huts, a school, fences and gardens".
However, many Aboriginal people
were working on stations, and by 1869 Yelta closed.
Aboriginal people were working as shearers, woodcutters, shepherds, fencing, stockmen, and women as servants, needleworkers and bark cutters.
1870s
The Mildura railway line began from Ballarat in 1874 and reached Mildura in 1903.
In 1874 Kulkyne Station (50km south of Mildura) was gazetted s an Aboriginal reserve. Aboriginal people from around Mildura were relocated there. The reserve existed until 1910.
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An old blackfellow told Mr Thompson (manager of Kulkyne station) that the 'big fella cod' went into these hollow trees to spawn. Whether this is an actual fact or not, my friend asserts that he frequently saw the natives capture very large cod from those hollow trees. The method adopted was simple. When the flood waters were over the bends in the river the hole in the tree was below the surface of the water, and two blacks would swim or wade out and quickly run a net across the opening. If the cod did not immediately come out one of them would stir it up with his foot, and then there was a great battle in the water as they endeavoured to bring the big fish to the land. In its desperate struggles to escape it gave its captors a very difficult operation to successfully complete. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 14 January 1920 |
There was an Aboriginal camp at Nichols Point near what is now the Sandilong Racecourse.
In 1877 the district
received better rainfall than former years.
1877-8 saw rabbit plagues in the region. The Rabbits Nuisance Suppression Bill was introduced into the Parliament of Victoria in an effort to combat the problem.
1880s
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| Panoramic view of Mildura, over the buildings of the town to the line of trees in background, 1882, SLSA |
In 1886, Alfred Deakin, then commissioner for public works, travelled to California to observe the model irrigation settlements established in the Californian desert by Canadians William and George Chaffey. Deakin was interested to develop irrigation, in semi-arid areas, for agricultural development.
Deakin was impressed by the Chaffeys' model irrigation
settlement, and they in turn, became excited by the idea of irrigation for the Murray River in Australia.
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| THE VICTORIAN IRRIGATION MISSION OF 1885. Alfred Deakin is the central figure. On the right (seated) Is E S. Cunningham, and en the left J. L. Dow, while the engineer of the party, J. D. Derry, C.E., is behind Mr. Deakin. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 23 January 1929 |
On October 21st 1886, after months of negotiations with Deakin, the Chaffey brothers signed an agreement for the establishment of an irrigation colony on the Mildura property.
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| Building a State School, Mildura, Victoria, circa 1885, Museums Victoria Collections |
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| Group of People on Verandah of Mildura Coffee Palace, Victoria, circa 1885, Museums Victoria Collections |
The Chaffey brothers came to Australia and in 1887 created the Mildura Irrigation Colony on 250,000 acres (101,170 ha) of land near Mildura.
A fruit industry, including drying and preserving, was
developed.
Mildura became an irrigated oasis in a semi-arid area after the Chaffey brothers established steam-driven pumps that lifted water from the Murray River, first into King's Billabong, then to various heights to irrigate close to 33,000 acres.
The raising of water from the Murray
to land approximately 28 metres above river level was a great engineering challenge. George Chaffey designed a triple-expansion steam engine coupled to centrifugal pumps. The manufacturer of the equipment would not put its name to the engine in case it was unreliable or a failure. However, the steam engine and pumps at Psyche Bend operated successfully until 1959.
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| Mr George Chaffey, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 21 May 1887 |
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| Mr W B Chaffey, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 21 May 1887 |
Mildura was laid out, with trees planted in the style of the Chaffey's Californian irrigation colonies.
The Chaffey brothers had 3000 migrants move to the region, and they used steamboat engines to drive the irrigation pumps. Their first crop was a resounding success.
A government school
was built in 1888 and Methodist and Anglican churches the same year. The settlement had shops, two banks and a coffee palace. Mildura was planned by the Chaffey brothers as a temperance colony, to develop without a drinking culture.
In 1888 when the Chaffeys planted 150 acres of wine grapes on their vineyard at Belar Avenue, Irymple. They also invested in brickworks, an engineering firm and a timber mill.
The post and telegraph
office opened at Mildura in January 1888.
By 1888 there were regular coach and steamship services to and from Mildura.
The three pumping stations, Psyche, Billabong and Nichols Point, date from 1889.
Mr AL Reid, founder of Mildura's stationery shop and first circulating library
The Queen Ann Style house, Rio Vista, was built for William Benjamin Chaffey in 1889 and occupied by the Chaffey family from 1891 until 1950.
1890s
By December 1890, 3,300 people were living at Mildura.
Mildura Refrigerating Works was established in 1890.
In 1890 the Chaffey brothers established a plant nursery to overcome problems with the supply of fruit trees.
Psyche Pump Station
was built in 1891 by the Chaffey brothers to meet the needs of the irrigation settlement.
A large wharf was built in 1892.
However, the transport system broke down, and there was an economic depression and bank failures.
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| Mail coach en route to Mildura, VIC, Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935), Saturday 24 March 1894 |
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1. offices of
Mr. F. H. Edwards, who is agent for The Age and Leader, Mildura, VIC. 2. Harris buildings, Mildura, VIC. Mr. E. A. Harris runs the baths, a new and unique institution at Mildura (hot and cold). (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935), Saturday 24 March 1894 |
The First Mildura Irrigation Trust took charge of the town water supply in 1895.
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| Mildura District, Victoria, circa 1895, The Biggest Family Album in Australia |
The Chaffey brother's Australian projects went bankrupt on 10 December 1895.
The Mildura Irrigation Trust took over from the Mildura Irrigation Co. in September 1895. George returned to America and became wealthy from his Californian irrigation
project. William Chaffey stayed and was elected president of the Mildura Shire Council in 1903 and became mayor in 1920.
Deakin Avenue peppercorn trees replaced the Morton Bay figs in 1895.
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| "Old-timer", near the river at Mildura, Victoria, about 1896. State Library of South Australia |
1900s
In 1901 the population was 1606.
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| 1. Picking zante currants., Mildura, VIC. 2. Drying raisins, Mildura, VIC, Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Saturday 1 February 1902 |
St Margaret’s Anglican Church opened in 1902.
Mildura was connected to the Melbourne market by railway in 1903.
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| Efstathios Raftospoulos, a member of the Ithacan community at Mildura in about 1903. Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Saturday 29 December 1979 |
In 1905, the Mildura and Irymple post offices
were connected by telephone.
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| Deakin Avenue, Mildura, VIC. c. 1905. Museums Victoria |
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| The Mildura, VIC, premises of the Mildura Co-operative Co. as they were in 1905. Farmer and Settler (Sydney, NSW : 1906 - 1955) |
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| Aboriginal people in the Mildura Hospital, VIC, transported from their camp Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 8 December 1906 |
The Mildura port closed in 1907.
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| Mildura, Victoria - 1907. Kaye |
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| THE MELBOURNE MAN IN HIS MILDURA HOME. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 4 May 1907 |
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| Dipping and drying fruit, Mildura, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 4 May 1907 |
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| THi: STEAMER AT THE Mll.IHRA WHARF, VIC, .Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), Friday 11 December 1908 |
Mildura Ice Works and Butter Factory Proprietary Ltd. was established by Mr Hutchinson Hunt in 1908.
Mildura Telephone Exchange (
1909)
"The electric lighting plant for the Mildura township is now installed, and the street lighting will be
available on the 17th inst." Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 9 October 1909
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| Mildura Show Ground, NSW, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 5 October 1912 |
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| M1LDURA CO-OPERATIVE FRUIT PACKING COMPANY. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 20 November 1912 |
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| IRRIGATION: THE EXAMPLE OF MILDURA: II IT IS CLAIMED THAT THIS PUMPING PLANT HOLDS A WORLD'S RECORD FOR EFFICIENCY. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 6 November 1912 |
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| TOWN WATER SUPPLY TOWER, 155 FEE'T ABOVE SUMMER LEVE OF RIVER. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 30 October 1912 |
WWI
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| Ex-Private T. G. FACEY, who died at Mildura, as a result of head wounds received at Gallipoli. He was a nephew and ward of Mrs. E. H. Biggs, of Quarry Hill. Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918), Friday 21 June 1918 |
1920s
The
Sunraysia Daily was formed by the amalgamation of three newspapers, the
Mildura Cultivator,
the Mildura Telegraph and Darling and Lower Murray Advocate and and the
Merbein Irrigationist, in 1920.
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| MARY WHORLONG (OR WURLONG) A daughter of Wurlong, "Murray River blacks", Sunraysia Daily (Mildura, Vic. : 1920 - 1932), Thursday 1 September 1921 |
Red Cliffs, just south of Mildura, was established as a soldier-settlement estate, opening in 1920.
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| COTTAGES AT RED CLIFFS: THE POST OFFICE ON THE RIGHT OF THE PICTURE. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 8 April 1922 |
In 1920, the Mildura Urban Water Trust was established.
In the 1920s the first Italian workers arrived in the Mildura area. Also, at this time, Croatian immigrants came to Mildura to work in the fruit growing industry. Mildura became known as "little Medjimurjie", after the agricultural region of Croatia from where many migrants came.
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| Sunraysia Daily (Mildura, Vic. : 1920 - 1932), Monday 1 January 1923 |
1930s
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| Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Friday 31 March 1933 |
In 1934 Mildura was officially proclaimed a city.
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| Langtree Avenue, Mildura, Victoria - 1930s, Kaye |
In 1933 the population was 6617.
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| Mary Worlong is a daughter of Worlong who, when Mildura was very young, was noted on the Murray River as a maker and thrower of boomerangs. He was taken to England and presented to Queen Victoria, whom he delighted with his skill. Mary Worlong is the last of her line. Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), Saturday 6 January 1934 |
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| Children Attending the High School at Mildura, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 14 April 1934 |
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| DRIED FRUIT INDUSTRY ATMILDURA. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 31 March 1934 |
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| The Mildura Flying School, about 1935, VIC, Museums Victoria. |
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| Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Saturday 19 December 1936, |
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| Main Street of Mildura, Victoria, no date |
The former Astor Theatre opened about 1937.
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| Methodist Church, Mildura, VIC, Methodist (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 1954), Saturday 18 September 1937 |
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| Art Deco Theatre The Ozone, built 1938, Mildura, VIC |
The Mildura Working Man's Sports & Social Club built a T-shaped bar in 1938. It was believed to be the longest bar in the state of Victoria.
A Greek school commenced in 1939.
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| Mildura Carnival and Gala, VIC, week Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 19 August 1939 |
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| Working Man's Club, Mildura, VIC, 29 December 1939. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales |
1940s and WWII
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| Four subalterns from Mildura, who enlisted at outbreak of war and all got commissions. Lieutenants J. F. Young, S. M. Cramp, H. J. Lunn, and K. R. Walker. Central Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956), Thursday 18 July 1940 |
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BAGPIPES AND ALL, nine members of the Caledonian Pipe Band, Mildura, came to Melbourne today to enlist in the A.I.F. Here are five of them at Royal Park waiting for the medical examination.
From left: D. Powis, C. MacDonald, J. Hannah, R. A. Powis and J. S. Oliver. They hope to be permitted to form a pipe band of their own with a unit of the A.I.F. Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 17 April 1941 |
From 1942 until 1946, the Mildura Airfield was a RAAF Base and the home of the No.2 Operational Training Unit (2OTU). Of the 1,247 fighter pilots trained at 2OTU, 288 pilots and aircrew lost their lives fighting over the Pacific and Europe during World War II. 52 pilots and seven
ground crew died during their training at Mildura.
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| 1. The Apex Club woodworkers have made 4278 articles for the Red Cross, Mildura, VIC. 2. The Civic Centre in Deakin Ave, Mildura, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 5 August 1942 |
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| Sunraysia Defence League, Mildura, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 5 August 1942 |
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| Grand Hotel, Mildura, VIC, 1940s. State Library of Victoria Image |
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| "THE WORKER'S," MILDURA, CELEBRATES JUBILEE, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 20 January 1945 |
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| The Mildura Working Man's Club, VIC, in 1945, bar length 91 metres (299 ft), SLVIC |
After World War Two, many settlers from Greece, Italy and Yugoslavia arrived.
The University of Melbourne established a Mildura campus from 1947.
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| GROUP OF STUDENTS OUTSIDE ONE OF THE GIRLS' HUTS, MILDURA UNIVERSITY, VIC, Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 20 August 1947 |
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Margaret Blackwood, sub-dean of women, former WAAAF officer and a Master of Science. Six hundred first year students are enrolled at Mildura and include 280 medical students, 180 engineering, 75 dental, and 30 architectural. More than 50 per cent, are ex-servicemen Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 30 April 1947 |
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| Housing Commission homes being built at Mildura, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 5 January 1949 |
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| Mildura CWA members, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 12 January 1949 |
1950s
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| MATRON MORAN with some of his staff and patients at Olinda Hospital, Mildura. Sister McConnell (left), Sister B. J. Kemp (right) and Mrs M. Bock, from Darling River, in front Mildura Matron A . Success "Because He Mas A Wife" Mr A. W. Moran, Victoria's first, man "matron", who has ! charge of the Olinda Private Hospital, Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 14 September 1950 |
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| View from the (Carnegie) Library, Mildura, VIC. Undated image from the Rose Stereograph series of postcards, State Library of Victoria |
Mildura was connected to the State electricity grid.
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The State Electricity Commission will spend £61/2 million to give more light and power to the Murray Valley, .Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 24 August 1950 |
From 1950-53 a migrant holding facility operated at Mildura.
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| Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Sunday 8 March 1953 |
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| Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1914 - 1953), Friday 27 February 1953 |
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| Royal visit to Mildura, VIC, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 1 April 1954 |
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| NURSES and young patients formed a strongpost at Mildura Base Hospital to greet the Queen. Matron J. Treadwell is at the centre while some of her nurses gather round Charles Addison, of Merbein, and Geoff Thomas, of Mildura, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Thursday 1 April 1954 |
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| The Mildura premises of the Mildura Co-operative, Farmer and Settler (Sydney, NSW : 1906 - 1955), Friday 11 February 1955 |
Rio Vista was opened as Mildura Art Gallery by Sir Dallas Brooks in May 1956.
1956 Murray River flood
The steam-powered pump at the Psyche Pump Station was replaced in 1959 by an electric pump.
The Civic Buildings opened in 1958 on the site of the original Shire Hall.
1960s
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| Langtree Ave, mildura, Vic, 1964, Matt W |
1970s
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| Mildura, VIC, 1970, Matt W |
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| Mildura, VIC, 1970s, Matt W |
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| Mildura, VIC, 1970s, Matt W |
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| Grand Hotel, Mildura, VIC, 1975, Matt W |
1980s
In 1983, a decision was made to restore the historic engine and pumps at Psyche Bend Pumping Station.
Organised crime
operations during the 1970s and '80s.
The first mosque opened in 1984.
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| Mildura, VIC, early 1980s. Matt W |
1990s
The population doubled between 1961 and 1991.
2000s
In 2006 the population was 30,016.
2015: Suggestions that criminal gangs, such as outlawed biker groups, are running the ice trade in the region.
2016: Mildura County Koori Court opened. See
here
2021: Mildura pilot restores WWII De Havilland Tiger Moth biplane.
2022: Wet and warm weather leads to cricket population explosion in Mildura
Around Mildura
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| Chateau Mildura, the Chaffey's original winery, was established in 1888, 191 Belar Ave, Irymple VIC |
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| The Astor Theatre, Mildura, VIC, was opened on 16th June 1924 |
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| Rio Vista at 199-205 Cureton Avenue, Mildura, VIC, was built in 1889 for William Benjamin Chaffey |
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| 69 Deakin Ave constructed 1914-15, Mildura, VIC |
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| T&G Building, 8th Street & Langtree Avenue, Mildura, built 1937 |
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| Mildura Base Hospital, was built in the 1930s, VIC |
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| Church of Christ, Mildura, VIC, built in 1912 |
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| 43 Deakin Ave, Mildura VIC, Art Deco |
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| Etheringtons the Jewellers was established in 1932 on the site of the former Williams Store (1890) |
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| Grand Hotel - Deakin Street, Mildura, VIC |
The Chaffey Trail traces the city's irrigation history, passing the Old Mildura Station Homestead, a recreation of the 19th-century original, and the 1889 Rio Vista Historic House.
Psyche Pump Station
Unholy Trinity
