Natimuk

Natimuk
Victoria

Natimuk
Coordinates 36°45′S 141°57′E / 36.750°S 141.950°E / -36.750; 141.950Coordinates: 36°45′S 141°57′E / 36.750°S 141.950°E / -36.750; 141.950
Population 449 (2006 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 3409
Location
LGA(s) Rural City of Horsham
State electorate(s) Lowan
Federal Division(s) Mallee

Natimuk is a town in Western Victoria, Australia. It is located about 300 km northwest of Melbourne. A further 10 km west of Natimuk is one of Australia's best climbing areas, Mount Arapiles. At the 2006 census, Natimuk had a population of 449.

History

The Post Office opened as Natimuk Creek on 1 July 1874 and was renamed Natimuk in 1884.[2]

A railway line, built in a number of sections, once connected Horsham and Hamilton, running via Cavendish, Balmoral and East Natimuk.[3]

In 2004 Natimuk hosted 10000 people for Triple J's One Night Stand.

Description

Natimuk has traditionally survived as a rural service centre for the surrounding grain and sheep farming community. More recently it has diversified into tourism and staved off the decline common in other Wimmera towns. People from all over the planet flock to Natimuk because of the rock climbing at Mount Arapiles and the nearby Grampians.

Around 60 rock climbers (locally known as goats) have made Natimuk their home due to the climbing and lifestyle. Every two years Natimuk hosts its arts festival, the Nati Frinj Natimuk's arts friendly focus has attracted and supported artists from nearby regions or urban areas to settle in the town.

Sport

The town has traditionally had strong Netball teams - The Ewes. Natimuk also fields three or four Australian Rules teams who compete in the Horsham & District Football League.

Golfers play at the course of the Natimuk Golf Club at Mount Arapiles State Park.[4]

There is also a lawn bowls club, tennis club, cricket club and people come from miles around to compete and train with the Natimuk Gymnastics Club.[5]

Environment

One of the events at the Nati Frinj

There are many small wetlands in the district, and the town lies close to the Natimuk-Douglas Wetlands Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for a variety of waterbirds.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "{{{name}}}". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
  2. ↑ Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 2008-04-11
  3. ↑ The Horsham - Hamilton via Balmoral Railway Turton, Keith W. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin July, 1968 pp153-171
  4. ↑ Golf Select, Natimuk, retrieved 2009-05-11
  5. ↑ Natimuk Gymnastics Club
  6. ↑ "IBA: Natimuk-Douglas Wetlands". Birdata. Birds Australia. Retrieved 2011-08-29.

Media related to Natimuk at Wikimedia Commons

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