Avenel, VIC, located 127 km north of Melbourne, is a peaceful and attractive town with historic buildings.
The region is renown for sheep production, horse studs and wineries.
Taungurung (Daung wurrung) People
Traditionally, Taungurung (Daung wurrung) one of the clans of Kulin people, lived as hunter/gatherers and occupied much of central Victoria.
Taungurung (Daung wurrung) People
Traditionally, Taungurung (Daung wurrung) one of the clans of Kulin people, lived as hunter/gatherers and occupied much of central Victoria.
There are nine clans who spoke the Daungwurrung language
Their country encompasses the area between the upper reaches of the Goulburn River and its tributaries north of the Dividing Range.
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| Painting. Yorta Yorta RAP - Taungurung RAP. Goulburn River, Northeast, Victoria, Australia. 1895. '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. Museums Victoria |
1820s
The first Europeans in the area were the explorers Hume and Hovell, who crossed Hughes Creek at Avenel in 1824.
1830s
A pastoral run on Hughes Creek was taken up in 1838 by Henry Kent Hughes. The town's name may have been inspired by Lady of Avenel, from two novels "The Monastery", 1820, and "The Abbot", 1820), by Sir Walter Scott.
A town soon developed where coaches and livestock crossed Hughes Creek, and drovers and coaches used Hughes station sheds for shelter and changing horses.
The first Overland Mail from Melbourne to Sydney began in 1838, travelling on the Old Sydney Road, crossing Hughes Creek at a shallow ford and camping by the creek.
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In the "New South Wales Government Gazette" of October 11, 1837, appeared a notice relating to the carriage of mails, commencing January 1, 1838, from and to Goulburn and Yass, via Mutmutbilly, twice a week, from and to Yass and Melbourne once a fortnight. from Yass to Melbourne. The distance is about 380 miles, and it would take 10 horses to carry the mall bag. Could take 10 days from Sydney to Melbourne. Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) |
"As far back as 1840 Mr. John Clarke,
the proprietor of the Royal Hotel,
Sydney Road, bad erected a bark hut
at the old crossing of the river Goul-
burn, then much used by cattle drovers."
the proprietor of the Royal Hotel,
Sydney Road, bad erected a bark hut
at the old crossing of the river Goul-
burn, then much used by cattle drovers."
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 25 August 1930
A wooden bridge built in 1847.
The old Royal Mail Hotel at Avenel, Victoria, built in 1847. Ned Kelly, later famous as a bushranger, saved the owner's son from drowning in the creek near the hotel.
1850s
In 1850, Assistant-surveyor Wedge laid out town allotments either side of the creek. Frst town allotments were sold in May 1851. Avenel's first cemetery was gazetted 1851. Thirty burials here, but only two headstones survive.
A wooden bridge built in 1847.
The old Royal Mail Hotel at Avenel, Victoria, built in 1847. Ned Kelly, later famous as a bushranger, saved the owner's son from drowning in the creek near the hotel.
1850s
In 1850, Assistant-surveyor Wedge laid out town allotments either side of the creek. Frst town allotments were sold in May 1851. Avenel's first cemetery was gazetted 1851. Thirty burials here, but only two headstones survive.
Australia's first telegraph line began operating between Melbourne and Williamstown in 1854. Within four years, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide were connected.
The Royal Mail Hotel was built near the bridge over Hughes Creek by James Hilt in 1855-56, operating as a store until Hilet was granted a District Publicans licence in 1857.
The Royal Mail Hotel, in the 1850s, during the gold rush, was a coach staging post on route to the Beechworth goldfields.
The Royal Mail Hotel was built near the bridge over Hughes Creek by James Hilt in 1855-56, operating as a store until Hilet was granted a District Publicans licence in 1857.
The Royal Mail Hotel, in the 1850s, during the gold rush, was a coach staging post on route to the Beechworth goldfields.
Avenel Primary School was opened in 1856 by the Church of England. There were 20 students at the school.
The Post Office opened on 2 June 1858, built by William Campion, who also operated a store and library.
The stone Bridge at Avenel was erected in 1859 by the Board of Land and Works. "The payment of toll was demanded from all drivers of vehcles and horsemen, who desired to cross, and was in force sometime after the bridge was opened." (1.)
1860s
Avenel school became a common school in 1863.
Ned and some of his siblings attended the Avenel Common Scool from 1864 to 1865.
The Post Office opened on 2 June 1858, built by William Campion, who also operated a store and library.
The stone Bridge at Avenel was erected in 1859 by the Board of Land and Works. "The payment of toll was demanded from all drivers of vehcles and horsemen, who desired to cross, and was in force sometime after the bridge was opened." (1.)
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| Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 3 February 1859 |
1860s
Avenel school became a common school in 1863.
The Cemetery on its current site was established on the 30th March 1863. The gates to the Avenel Cemetery also serve as a war memorial.
Ned Kelly, who would later become an infamous bushranger, and family, rented a 40-acre farm in Avenel from 1864 to 1867.
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| Royal Mail Hotel,Avenel, VIC, 1860s, SLVIC |
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| Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953) |
John "Red" Kelly (Ned's father) passed away in 1866 at an age of 46, shortly after being released from 6 months in jail for the charge of "unlawful possession of a hide". Buried Avenel Cemetery.
By 1868, the coach change station was transferred from the Royal Mail to the Avenel Arms on the other side of Hughes Creek.
As a boy, Ned Kelly, who later became an infamous bushranger, attended school at Avenel. Kelly also risked his life to save a boy from drowning in Hughes Creek. The boy's parents, Esau and Elizabeth Shelton, proprietors of the Royal Mail Hotel, presented Ned with a green sash, which he wore under his armour at the Kelly Gang's Last Stand in 1880.
1870
By 1868, the coach change station was transferred from the Royal Mail to the Avenel Arms on the other side of Hughes Creek.
As a boy, Ned Kelly, who later became an infamous bushranger, attended school at Avenel. Kelly also risked his life to save a boy from drowning in Hughes Creek. The boy's parents, Esau and Elizabeth Shelton, proprietors of the Royal Mail Hotel, presented Ned with a green sash, which he wore under his armour at the Kelly Gang's Last Stand in 1880.
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| Ned Kelly's green shash, awarded to him for bravery when he saved a young boy from drowning. He wore the sash under his armour in the final seige at Glenrown, His blood stains still remain on the sash. bronzebrew |
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| Seymour Express and Goulburn Valley, Avenel, Graytown, Nagambie, Tallarook and Yea Advertiser (Vic. : 1882 - 1891; 1914 - 1918), Friday 8 August 1884 |
1870
"The Grain Store", located in Bank Street Avenel, was built around 1870 by G. Morrison.
Harvest Home Hotel in Bank Street was built in 1870. The second storey added in the early 1900s.
Harvest Home Hotel in Bank Street was built in 1870. The second storey added in the early 1900s.
A flood in 1870 washed away two stone arches of the bridge, which were later repaired.
An Aboriginal man called Captain John and his wife were some of the Aboriginal people who lived around the area at this time. Their camping ground was "Mr Lloyd Jones, and not very far from his homestead. Hunting and fishing were their chief means of livelihood, and the residents had always a kindly feeling for them." (2.)
The railway line began running through Avenel in 1872. But as the station was some distance from the old town, a business centre began to develop around the station.
Esau Shelton built the Imperial Hotel (Originally The Avenel Arms) in 1872 near the station, but the building was destroyed by fire in 1946.
State Bank built 1873.
Gadd's general store first opened in 1873.
Avenel Court House, constructed 1876.
An Aboriginal man called Captain John and his wife were some of the Aboriginal people who lived around the area at this time. Their camping ground was "Mr Lloyd Jones, and not very far from his homestead. Hunting and fishing were their chief means of livelihood, and the residents had always a kindly feeling for them." (2.)
The railway line began running through Avenel in 1872. But as the station was some distance from the old town, a business centre began to develop around the station.
Esau Shelton built the Imperial Hotel (Originally The Avenel Arms) in 1872 near the station, but the building was destroyed by fire in 1946.
State Bank built 1873.
Gadd's general store first opened in 1873.
Avenel Court House, constructed 1876.
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| Bush prison or lockup with trooper in the uniform of Victorian Mounted Police at Avenel, VIC, 1870, SLVIC |
1880s
The Avenel Football Club was established in 1881.
The Avenel Football Club was established in 1881.
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| Seymour Express and Goulburn Valley, Avenel, Graytown, Nagambie, Tallarook and Yea Advertiser (Vic. : 1882 - 1891; 1914 - 1918), Friday 13 November 1885 |
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| ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY AT AVENEL : THE BLACK TRACKERS AT WORK.Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil (Melbourne, Vic. : 1873 - 1889), Saturday 21 October 1882 |
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| Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 19 April 1895 |
1900s
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| The bulletin. Vol. 23 No. 1189 (29 Nov 1902) |
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| Cyclone at Avenel, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 30 July 1904 |
WWI
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| Colt automatic machine gun outside Avenel, VIC. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 22 January 1910, |
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| LANCE-CORPORAL W. H. BODGER (of Avenel). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), Wednesday 13 December 1916 |
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| Honour Roll, Seymour Express and Goulburn Valley, Avenel, Graytown, Nagambie, Tallarook and Yea Advertiser (Vic. : 1882 - 1891; 1914 - 1918), Friday 25 October 1918 |
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| Avenel Courthouse, VIC, in 1910, SLVIC |
Great flood of 1916 and 160mm of rain caused much damage.
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| Avenel Township, from Bald Hill, VIC, 1915, SLVIC |
1920s
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| Bridge, Avenel, VIC, Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Wednesday 27 January 1926 |
1930s
Avenel was involved in extensive wool and grain trade.
1940s
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| I. Bridge over Hughes Creek. 2. BankStreet and Soldiers' Memorial. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 October 1932 |
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| Avenel, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 October 1932 |
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| Avenel Post Office, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 October 1932 |
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| Foot -bridge across Hughes Creek at Avenel (Vic.), constructed by Mr Willis and a neighbor. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 April 1933 |
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| Avenel School, VIC, 1934, State Records |
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| An old cottage without a front door, it was built in 1850's at Avenel, Vic. 1934, SLVIC |
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| Avenel's Centenary celebrations, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 3 September 1938 |
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| Centenary celebrations at Avenel, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 3 September 1938 |
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| Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Saturday 1 January 1938 |
1940s
John Thomas Shelton, born at Avenel (24 January 1905 – 1 May 1941), was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda and South Melbourne. He was killed in action in Tobruk in 1941. Jack's father, at age 7, was saved from drowning in Hughes Creek, Avanel, by a young Ned Kelly, aged 10.
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| Sister E. Schrader with mothers and babies at the Health Centre, Avenel, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 4 August 1948 |
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Employes at Green Brothers' cement tile works, with Mrs Green (Sec.) in centre of front row, Avenel, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 4 August 1948 |
1950s
During the 1950s-60, a pool near the stone bridge was a popular swimming spot.
Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 28 January 1954
During the 1950s-60, a pool near the stone bridge was a popular swimming spot.
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| Office-bearers and some of the foundation members of the Avenel CWA Branch photographed at the branch's 21st birthday party recently. Back row, from, left: Mrs A. J. Burgoyne (vice-president), Mrs C. Ewing (vice- president), Mrs James Melbourne, and Mrs J. M. Holden. Front row: Mrs A. Taylor (secretary) Mrs G. A. Stagg (one of the early presidentsof the branch) Mrs S. C. Shelton (pres.) and Mrs C. H. Dore (treasurer).Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 19 August 1953 |
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| Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), Sunday 18 July 1954 # Ned Kelly's uncle, Jim Kelly, was arrested for cattle rustling, and eight-year-old Ned made his first court appearance to testify on his behalf |
Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 28 January 1954
1960s
The Goulburn Valley Horse Trials Association is one of the longest continually running horse trials in Australia, operating since 1967.
1980s
December 2014, fifty firefighters and water-bombing fight fires near Avenel.
2020s
2020s
Eartags linked to satellites reduce livestock theft in the area.
Around Avenel
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| The Grain Store' located in Bank Street Avenel, VIC, was built around 1870 by G. Morrison |
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| Harvest Home, in the heart of Avenel, VICwas built in 1870 |
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| Avenel Court House, VIC, was erected in 1876 |
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| The Hughes Creek Bridge was built in 1859 at Avenel, VIC |
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| Heritage house, Avenel, VIC |
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| In the 1850s, this building operated as a store, and then the Royal Mail Hotel, Avenel, VIC |
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| 5 Bank Street, Avenel, VIC, was once the Commercial Bank of Australia |
Things To Do and Places To Go
Avenel Nature and Heritage Trail