25km north-east of Bendigo, this small township is said to be named after the Aboriginal word meaning kangaroo, or apple…or an unpleasant smelling plant.
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Beyond the Bendigo goldfields, the area has always been exclusively agricultural (with not an unpleasant smelling plant to be seen!) and in 1864 the railway line passing through the township was opened. In 1865 there were two recorded hotels: the Railway and the Goornong, along with a small population. By the end of the century, an additional two hotels existed, with one of them – the Drovers Arms – still servicing locals today. The surrounding district (including nearby Bagshot) recorded a population of approximately 1500 people around the 1880s.
The Presbyterian school (which had opened in 1863) was replaced by a government school in 1875. The Anglican church opened in 1880, and the agricultural hall in 1889. In the early 1900s Goornong was known as a ‘postal town’ with telegraph and money-order offices. The train continued to run between Melbourne and Echuca and regular coaches travelled to Barnadown, Muskerry and Toolleen.
Also by the early 1900s, Goornong had water supplied by an extension to the channel that had been built to Fosterville (to treat mine crushings) encouraging the population to grow further. Agriculture continues to remain the primary production within the area, however new homes and a new train station, along with two large reserves, sporting facilities, swimming pool, hotel, memorial hall and primary school ensure there is a solid infrastructure that is appealing to young couples and families seeking affordable, regional living within half an hour of Bendigo’s CBD.
There are a number of attractive period farm houses in the district, perhaps the most well-known being Campaspe Park Homestead which, amongst other things, served as a recovery hospital for soldiers post World War Two and is now heritage listed.
Goornong at a glance
Information based on 2021 Census results
Population: 853
Male: 49.2%
Female: 50.8%
Median age: 41
Families: 230
Private dwellings: 362
Average people per household: 2.6
Median monthly mortgage repayments: $1,338
Median weekly rent: $245