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Shepparton, VIC: In The Heart of The Goulburn Valley

Shepparton, in the central north of Victoria, is 180 km north-east of Melbourne.


The Yorta Yorta People (Panggerang and Kailtheban)

The Edward Micklethwaite Curr (1820-1889) from thethe Goulburn Valley wrote about various aboriginals clans , including the Panggerang. Currently had acquired knowledge of the language and was able to communicate with various Aboriginal groups.

Currr's book, "Recollections of Squatting in Victoria" (1883), is an account of his early life as a pastoralist on the Goulburn and Murray rivers describes the Aboriginal people he calls '"The Bangerang Tribe".
'Corroboree on the Goulburn River' painted by artist Caroline Le Souëf in early 1895. The painting depicts a corroboree of the Bangarang (spelt by Le Souëf as Pangarang) tribe in December 1842 as witnessed and later described by Caroline's husband Albert. It depicts dance and ceremony taking place, groups to the sides are wearing their possum skin cloaks and the men dancing in the middle are painted for ceremony. Museums Victoria
Curr wrote in, The Australian race : its origin, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over the continent:

"The Ngooraialum stood rather in dread of the Bangerang, and never, I think, felt very comfortable if camped mnch below what is now Murchison." (Ngooraialum, neighbouring tribal group)

"The Ngooraialum, Bootherboolok, Natrakboolok, and Nerboolok were very much mixed up by intermarriages, and often fought together against the Bangerang and Pimpandoor."

"The Bangerang language has many diminutives, as naika = duck, naikidjiga = little duck; ckoonda = bird, choondoonga = little bird; pokka = dog, pokkidjiga = little dog or pup; inyanook = small, ingarnika = very small. The Pikkolatpan used to speak of the Bangerang as the Yoorta or No Blacks, but I never heard them use that term themselves. A considerable portion of the Bangerangwere pitted with small-pox, some of them dreadfully so; and in 1843, or thereabouts, I saw amongst them a child absolutely suffering from that disease."

A REVIEW. squatting in VICTORIA. By Edward M.Curr.:

"Among the most interesting chapters are those which. Mr. Curr has devotedtoa description of the aboriginals by whom he was surrounded. His black neighbours were of the 'Bangerang tribe, and the description of their manners and customs is highly intresting and sufficiently elaborate to render
it clear and lucid. An account of a corrobcree is faithfully given, and the_ writer seems to bave gained a good insight into the customs pertaining to their social life.; He induced a blackfellow to build him a canoe, and thus describes the process of manufacture:—' The tree chosen (an old river gum of about twenty feet in circumference), a few notches were cut with the tomahawk, one above the other, in its bark, just outside of [ what was to be its edge or gunwale of the canoe. The operator having then roughly marked out on the tree the Iins3 of his vessel, commenced cutting the bark along them with his tomahawk down to the wood, so as to detach from the tree an 'unbroken sheet of bark, which would be the canoe. To effect this, the tree was ascended gradually by placing the big toe in the notohes before
mentioned., which were used . as steps, the blackfellow holding on with one hand and one heel, whilst he plied the tomahawk with the other hand. The bark thus cut all round, it only remained to detach it from the tree to which it still adhered. This was effected by hammering the future canoe gently with
the butt of the tomahawk, and by forcing the end of a pole here and there under the edges of the bark and prizing steadily. Gradually in . this manner it was detached from the
tree.' A real ghost story, which will be relished by the lovers of the supernatural forms a portion of a chapter descriptive of a deserted camp which was discovered by the
author and his brother.' Speaking of the social relations of the Ban
gefangs, Mr. Curr says :— ' Prior to the
coming of the whites, the Bangerangs, as a rule, enforced constancy on the part of their wives and chastity on their unmarried daughters. A number of well-established customs lent their aid to this  purpose ; thus a woman never sat' in a mia-mia in which there was a man, save her husband. She neither conversed nor exchanged words with any man save in the absence of her husband and in reply to some
necessary questions. If a man required to ask a woman a question he did so from a distance and in a loud voice, so as to be heard by every one. Girls, as a rule, were promised in marriage in infancy, espoused at twelve years of age, -and became mothers at sixteen. Until married they lived in their
father's mia-mia, from which their brothers of , eight or ten years of age were excluded at night. They had no communication with persons of  the opposite sex, except little boys. The women were considerably smaller in proportion to the men than amongst Europeans. . . .

Like the men, the women had the septum of the nose pierced, and the arms and chest ornamented to some extent with raised scars. The principal duties which fell to the share of the women in domestic life were to provide the daily supply of wild roots and vegetables, of which the food of the Bangerangs in a great measure consisted. It was their business also to-' transport the children from place to place in their constant wanderings ; the men carried their arms and personal effects. Frogs, and the small fish caught in nets, were provided by the women and children."
Riverine Herald (Echuca, Vic. : Moama, NSW : 1869 - 1954; 1998 - 2002), Wednesday 16 December 1931
'Native Fight on the Lower Goulburn River in 1842' painted by artist Caroline Le Souëf in 1895. The painting depicts a fight between members of the Bangarang (spelt by Le Souëf as Pangarang) and the Oorilim tribes in 1842 witnessed and later described by Caroline's husband Mr. Albert A. Le Souëf. During his teens Albert spent three years at the Goulburn River protectorate station, managed by his father, where he gained lasting knowledge of Aboriginal culture and bushcraft. It was during this time that he witnessed the fight depicted in this painting. Caroline grew-up in friendly contact with the local Aboriginal people of the Goulburn River Valley region, and developed an ongoing interest in their life and customs. Later in life she took up oil painting of Aboriginal subjects - reminiscences from her and her husband's youth. View at Museums Victoria. Museums Victoria Collections.
Read words Edward Micklethwaite Curr. Here1820s

The first European explorers to arrive in the Goulburn Valley were Hamilton Hume and William Hovell in 1824, on an oxidation of exploration.

1830s

Major Thomas Mitchell on his expedition crossed the Murray River in October 1836.

Two years later, in 1838, Joseph Hawdon and Charles Bonney camped on the town site by the Goulburn River while droving cattle from Albury to Adelaide.

Within the City of Greater Shepparton, four Aboriginal Protectorates were established in 1839. 

Edward Khull, James Cowper and Gregor McGregor occupied the first three pastoral runs in the Goulburn Valley in 1839.

1840s

On the right bank of the Goulburn River adjoining Shepparton, Edward Khull established the Tallygaroopna run in 1841. Khull abandoned the run in 1843 and it was taken up by Sherbourne Sheppard. An 1841 slab hut still exists.
Sherbourne Sheppard, after whom Shepparton, VIC, was named
Sheppard sub-divided the run Tallygaroopna and and then sold the Katandra run to Charles Ryan and Tallygaroopna to Hugh Glass in 1852.

1850s

Gold was discovered in Victoria near Clunes in 1850 and gold seekers passed through the Shepparton district; and purchased goods and sued services.

 On 1 July 1851 Victoria separated from New South Wales. 

In 1853 there were three buildings in Shepparton and Moorbopna. Archer’s hotel at Mooroopna, Johnson Parson’s hotel at Shepparton, and McGuire’s punt house and punt at Shepparton. A year later the police station was built.

Shepparton was known as "McGuire's Punt" in 1853, after Pat Macguire who operated a punt to cross the river, as there was no bridge across the Goulburn River. But by 1855 the town had also become known as Sheppard town.

The punt was at the foot of High Street, and there until the bridge at Fryers Street was opened in 1876.
THE BUNYIP.-The existence of ibis supposed fabulous animai is likely to be proved at no distant period. Mr Stocqueler, who has travelled several hundred miles up and down the Murray and Goulburn rivers in a - canvas boat, is now in Albury, and bis favored us with a view - of his portfolio, containing a great number of sketches of Australian scenery, with representations of specimens of' natural -history, observed _ during the trip. Amongst the latter drawings we noticed Whiteness of the bunyip, or rather a view of the neck and shoulders of the animal. Mr Stocqueler informs us that the bunyip is a- large freshwater seal, having two email paddles or fins attached to the shoulders,' . ' a ' long: " swan-like neck, a head like a dog, and a curious bag hanging -under the jaw ' resembling the pouch of the pelican. ~. The. animal is covered with hair, like the platypus, and the colour is a glossy black.: Mr Btóqúeler saw no less than six of these curious animals at different times ; his boat was within thirty feet of one, near McGuire's punt, on the Goulburn, add he fired at the bunyip, but 'did not succeed in capturing him. The smallest appeared to be about five feet in length,'- and the largest exceeded fifteen feet. The head of the largest was the size of a bullock's head, and three feet out of water. After taking a sketch of the ; animal, Mr Stocqueler showed it to several blacks of the Goulburn tribe, who declared that it was "Bunyip's brother," meaning a 'duplicate or likeness of the bunyip. Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864), Monday 16 March 1857
The surveyor, J. G. W. Wilmot, in July of 1855, laid out the first part of the township. 

In 1858 the Post Office opened and two years later the Governor of Victoria officially declared Shepparton a township.

1860s

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855 - 1955), Saturday 23 June 1860,
In 1864, Shepparton's population was 30, with six buildings.
BUMBLE-FOOT JEMMY, of the Goulburn River Tribe, VIC, 1864. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954)
In the 1860s getting to Melbourne required going by dray or horseback across the Broken River to Avenel, and then taking the Melbourne-Sydney coach.

The 1869 Grant Act opened the colony up for selection and many settlers began to arrive. 

This arrival of settlers and changing land use meant that Aboriginal people were often no longer able to hunt and gather, were exposed to new diseases and made involvement in violent conflict more likely. 

While Aboriginal people were often sent to reserves, life for settlers was often one of struggle and hardship.

1870s

In 1871 Shepparton had a population of about 33.

Shepparton's oldest building, constructed as the first public hall by William Fraser in 1873.

The Furphy Foundry established in 1873.

The Emily Jane was the first paddle steamer to make the trip along the Goulburn River from the Murray to Shepparton in 1875.
Kyneton Observer (Vic. : 1856 - 1900), Tuesday 23 April 1878
Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 9 December 1876
By 1878 Cobb and Co. coaches ran daily to Violet Town, Echuca and Seymour, with a bi-weekly service to Benalla.

1880s

Shepparton railway station opened on 13 January 1880. The railway station burnt down and was replaced in 1910.

By 1881 the town had 1,000 residents. 

The Shepparton Waterworks Trust was established in 1882 to promote irrigation. 

Scots Presbyterian Church built in 1888.

1890s

One of the first buildings designed in and around Greater Shepparton by architect John Augustus Kenny Clarke was the the Shepparton News building in 1893.

The Shepparton Cooperative Butter and Cheese Factory was established in 1894. 
Fairleys Shepparton, VIC, Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal (Vic. : 1916 - 1942)

1900s

Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Wednesday 21 May 1902
"Fairley Downs" was homestead, built 1903 and extended in 1923.
Wanganui homestead, 6 km north-west of Shepparton, VIC, was built in 1906. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 February 1903
Union Hotel, Shepparton, Vic - early 1900s. W.J. Nolan - proprietor, Aussie~mobs
Wyndham Street, Shepparton, Victoria - very early 1900s, Aussie~mobs
Flooded streets in Shepparton, Victoria - early 1900s, Aussie~mobs
Fire station and lookout, Shepparton, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 26 October 1907
 Savings Bank (recently built), Shepparton, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 26 October 1907
Urban Water Trust Office and water tower, Shepparton, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 26 October 1907
Wyndham St looking north, Shepparton, VIC, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 4 November 1908
The crowd at the Shepparton Show, VIC, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 4 November 1908
Shepparton Show, VIC, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 4 November 1908
Arrival of Shepparton train, VIC, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 4 November 1908
Wyndham St, Shepparton, VIC, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 4 November 1908
 Agricultural school near Shepparton, VIC, Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 25 December 1912
Shepparton, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 1 November 1913

WWI

Richard Ellis Tate  #1668Service Number: 1668. Rank: Corporal. Unit: 37th Australian Infantry Battalion. Service: Australian Army Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918. Date of death: 04 October 1917. Place of death: Belgium. Age at death: 26. Place of association: Shepparton, Australia. Cemetery or memorial details: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army After WWI, the soldier settlement scheme was instigated and the Victorian government purchased large estates for subdivisions into fruit blocks and irrigation farms for returning soldiers. Some of the land was unsuitable for farming.
Shepparton Fruit Preserving Co. Ltd (SPC) began operations in February 1918,

1920s

Post Office, Shepparton, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 15 September 1923
 Shepparton, VIC, fire brigade. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 26 May 1923
A Jewish Synagogue was established at Shepparton in 1924. 
Weekly Times Football Series — Shepparton Team, 1929. R k ( left to right)- C Heavey K Elliott, W. Rimes, W. Trotter, V. Larkins, A. Powles, H. Mason, J. Edwards- Centre: R. Fairley, T. Maher (Vice-Captain), J. Radley (Captain), V. Maloney, R. Jones, P. O'Connell. Back row r.ght). C. Heavey, K. F|orence, P- Morriss, W. Millerick. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 17 August 1929
Fruit canning at Shepparton, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 9 March 1929

1930s

Ice and Cool Stores for Shepparton, Victoria - circa 1930s, Aussie Mobs
Shepparton East Irrigation area, putting tobacco in kiln, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 2 April 1932
Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953), Monday 8 January 1934
The new high school, Shepparton, VIC, Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal (Vic. : 1916 - 1942), Thursday 22 March 1934
Shepparton, Post Office, VIC, Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal (Vic. : 1916 - 1942), Thursday 22 March 1934
 A VIEW OF FURPHY'S FAMOUS FOUNDRY, ON THE GOULBURN RIVER, AT SHEPPARTON, VICTORIA .Southern Districts Advocate (Katanning, WA : 1913 - 1936), Monday 16 December 1935
Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal (Vic. : 1916 - 1942), Wednesday 15 May 1935
Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953), Tuesday 19 October 1937
Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), Wednesday 15 December 1937
Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), Wednesday 15 December 1937
Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), Wednesday 15 December 1937
IN THESE DAYS of motor-cars, there may still be found in Shepparton a kindly thought for the homely horse. Mr. and Mrs. On Lee and family are familiar figures in Wyndham street on Saturdays.Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 6 November 1937
This dilapidated house at Shepparton shelters two adults and three children. Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Friday 5 November 1937
Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), Wednesday 15 December 1937
Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), Wednesday 15 December 1937
Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), Wednesday 15 December 1937
Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), Wednesday 15 December 1937
MR. JAS. ALDER IN HIS COACHING DAYS Photo by courtesy of Mrs. S. Poustie,
Shepparton, VIC. Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal (Vic. : 1916 - 1942), Wednesday 12 October 1938
Shepparton Town Hall, VIC, Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal (Vic. : 1916 - 1942), Wednesday 12 October 1938
The Cummeragunja Walk-off was a famous protest in 1939, when Aboriginal people living at the Cummeragunja Mission on the NSW bank of the Murray River in the Barmah Forest near Echuca, objecting to the management of the mission and living conditions walked off in protest, to live in surrounding areas of Mooroopna, Shepparton, Echuca and Barmah.

A statue commemorating William Cooper, the activist and community leader who was instrumental in campaigns for Aboriginal rights, is located in the centre of the Queens Gardens, corner of Welsford, Wyndham and Nixon Streets, Shepparton.
NEW COURT HOUSL OPENED, Shepparton, VIC, 1939

1940s and WWII

Fears that foreign nationals of countries at war with Australia might become saboteurs or spies led to many people of German, Italian, and Japanese background being declared “enemy aliens” and interred in Prisoner of War camps. 

In the Greater Shepparton area, war-related sites feature amongst the 18: Camp 1 at Tatura and the Calder Woodburn Memorial Avenue.

SPC Ardmona, Shepparton, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 30 March 1940
SPC Ardmona, Shepparton, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 30 March 1940
Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953), Friday 24 May 1940
 HANDING OVER THE KEYS OF TWO MOTOR AMBULANCES, given by members of 3SR's Friendship Club, Shepparton, VIC, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 29 March 1941
SHEPPARTON RETURNED SOLDIERS'VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS.Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 29 March 1941
Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953), Friday 11 July 1941,

Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953), Friday 24 October 1941,
Shepparton, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 18 March 1942
THE COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION is on important force in the district. This picture taken at the monthly meeting lost week shows members of the Shepparton branch of the organisation. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 25 March 1944
SHEPPARTON EAST 1945 GVFA PREMIERS. Back Row (left to right): E. Wellington, F. Young, W. Tyquin (v.c.). R. Eliason, L. Davies. A, Thorn, C. Huggard (c), M, Haddock. D. Fairless, G. Ware J. Murray. Centre Row: R. Ledwidge (trainer), W. Muir. G. James, W. Hanlon, W. Davies, F. Corboy (19th man), J. Wilkinson, A. Jones. Front Row: L. Guy (trainer), S. Monti (secretary), E. Young (president), Mascot Huggard, B. Wiltshire and D. McPherson (trainers), H. Taylor (seconds captain). Absent: J. Swann. Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953), Tuesday 25 September 1945
Mrs V. Parson (Commandant), centre, and control room staff of the Voluntary Air Observers Corps. Shepparton, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 30 May 1945
These two cheerful Greeks arc newcomers to a Shepparton orchard, which they and two others have bought recently in partnership. Their plan for the. future is work, work and work.Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 26 July 1945
Aboriginal "shanty town", Shepparton, VIC, Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 6 March 1947
Shepparton Aboriginal community's pastor (the Rev. E. Atkinson) tells stories to a little girl. Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 6 March 1947
55. Queens Gardens, Shepparton, Vic.c.1948, RAHS
54. Fryers Street, Shepparton, Vic. c.1948, RAHS
Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Saturday 27 August 1949
Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Wednesday 12 January 1949

1950s

Wyndham Street in 1951. The Shepparton Post Office and tower (built 1882) was the city's major landmark. Urban renewal from the 1930s onwards resulted in the replacement of all buildings pictured. State Library of Victoria
Wyndham Street, Shepparton, Victoria - 1950s, Aussie Mobs
Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953), Friday 18 January 1952
Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Tuesday 8 July 1952,
CRIPPLED CHILDREN, thanks to the Uncle Bob's Club, were able to see the Queen and the Duke when the Royal couple attended a rally at the Deakin Reserve, Shepparton. Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Saturday 6 March 1954
 THE QUEEN LISTENED attentively to the mayor of Shepparton (Cr. V. E, Vibert) as they, walked across Deakin Reserve during the Royal visit to Shepparton yesterdayAge (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Saturday 6 March 1954
Shepparton Goes gay, VIC, Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 1 October 1956

1960s

American, Campbell’s Soup was established at Shepparton in 1962. 
St George Greek Orthodox Church Parish Community Shepparton, Vic, built 1965

1970s

International Village theme park in Shepparton opened in 1972.

1980s

The Bangerang Cultural Centre was established in 1982,

1990s

International Village which closed in 1996.

2000s

In May 2004 a group of local residents protested against plans to use the International Village site for a housing estate. (now known as Parkside Gardens)

In 2005, More than 100 houses are expected to be built at Parkside Gardens.

Around Shepparton


The Museum is built around Shepparton's, VIC, oldest surviving building: The Public Hall of 1873 (later used as the Foresters Hall)
Home of J.A.K. Clarke, a Shepparton, VIC, architect back in the 1890s to early 1900s
Shepparton Courthouse, VIC, 1938. Designed by Percy Everett Chief Architect Public Works Department of Victoria.
The Terminus Hotel near the railway station, Shepparton, VIC. Built in 1885. Given an Art Deco facade in 1938. denisbin
Shepparton. Victoria. Scots Presbyterian Church built in 1888. Transepts added 1905. Tower erected as a war memorial for both world wars in 1964. denisbin
Shepparton, VIC. This Methodist Church was built in 1905 with additions in 1934. Now other uses. denisbin
Shepparton. Victoria. Alexander Miller Homes for the needy. Built 1919. Miller was a Geelong businessman. Miller homes in many towns including Rushworth. denisbin
Shepparton. The SPC cannery. The cooperative was formed in 1918. This Art Deco style factory and lettering would have been built around 1930. The largest cannery in Australia. denisbin
Art Deco house, Shepparton, VIC
Dioramas at the Bangerang Aboriginal Cultural Centre, telling the story of the annual Bogong High Plains moth catching and eating season. Shepparton, VIC


Things To Do and Places To Go

Aboriginal Street Art project in Fryers Street between Maude and Corio Streets.