Echuca

Echuca Victoria
Echuca's main landmark, the dock on the Murray River.
Echuca
Population:	12,358(2006)
Postcode:	3564
Coordinates:	36°08′S 144°45′E
Elevation:	96 m (315 ft)
Location:	214 km (133 mi) N of Melbourne 91 km (57 mi) NE of Bendigo 76 km (47 mi) NW of Shepparton 3 km (2 mi) S of Moama (NSW)
LGA:	Shire of Campaspe
State District:	Rodney
Federal Division:	Murray
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 22.2 °C 72 °F 9.3 °C 49 °F 428.4 mm 16.9 in

Echuca ( /əˈtʃuːkə/ ə-choo-kə) is a town located on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe river in Victoria, Australia. The Border town Moama is on the northern side of the Murray river in New South Wales. It is the administrative centre and largest settlement in the Shire of Campaspe. At the 2006 census, Echuca had a population of 12,358.

Echuca, an Aboriginal name meaning "Meeting of the Waters" is indicative of the role rivers have played in the town's existence. Echuca is situated close to the junction of the Goulburn, Campaspe and Murray Rivers. Its location at the closest point of the Murray to Melbourne contributed to its development as a thriving river port city during the 19th century.

History

Foundation

Echuca was founded by one of the most enterprising characters of the early colonial days, an ex-convict named Henry Hopwood. In 1850 he bought a small punt which operated across the Murray River near the Campaspe junction. The relatively small settlement known as "Hopwood's Ferry" became Echuca as the town grew. The Post Office known as Hopwoods Punt opened around 1854 and was renamed Echuca on 1 January 1855.

While the settlers at Echuca treated the local Aborigines with relative kindness^{[citation needed]}, their way of life was irrevocably changed by their relationship with the Europeans. Having already been decimated by smallpox in the late 1820s, in the 1850s many Aborigines developed a taste for European luxuries such as bread, tobacco and alcohol. They were relegated to the role of fringe-dwellers, living on the banks of the Murray, and occasionally entering into the European economy as fishermen and farm labourers, and by selling the possum rugs which they crafted.

Australia's Inland Port

By the 1870s Echuca had risen to prominence as Australia's largest inland port. Being the point of shortest distance between the Murray River and the major city of Melbourne, Echuca was both a key river port and railway junction. Steam-driven paddleboats would arrive at the 400-metre long redgum Echuca Wharf, unloading it to be transported by rail to Melbourne. Wool, wheat, other grains, livestock and timber were the most common cargoes. The wharf has been listed as a Heritage Place on the Australian National Heritage List.

This industrial boom led to a rapidly expanding population, at one stage in excess of 15,000, with more than a hundred pubs (hotels) rumoured to exist in the Echuca district at one time. An iron bridge was constructed over the Murray River in the 1870s.

Decline

The expansion of the railways from Melbourne to most parts of Victoria, as well as improvements to roads and fickle river conditions all combined to lessen Echuca's importance, and by the 1890s the paddlesteamer fleet was in decline. An economic depression and the collapse of several banks virtually ended Echuca's role as a major economic centre, and her population began to disperse.

Governance

Shire of Campaspe Head Office

Echuca is the administrative centre for the Shire of Campaspe Local Government Area.

At state level, Echuca is represented by the Electoral district of Rodney.

At federal level, Echuca is represented by the Division of Murray.

Economy

The main industry in Echuca is tourism. Tourism injects approximately $250 million into the Echuca economy annually. Visitors are attracted to the town by its warm climate, the Murray River, recreational attractions, and historical features, such as the Port of Echuca which has the world's largest fleet of operating paddle steamers.

Echuca is also a major regional service economy.

Agriculture is very important to the region and dairy, wheat, sheep, pig, and cattle farms are all within close proximity.

Culture

Paddle Steamers

Paddle Steamer PS Pevensey

The Port is home to the largest Paddle Steamer fleet in the world, which includes the world's oldest surviving wooden hulled paddle boat, the 1866 built PS Adelaide. The PS Pevensey since 2009 has reverted to a static display while the PS Emmylou still operates from Echuca as a daily cruise boat taking tourists along the Murray River for 1 hour and 1 and a half hour cruises. The PS Alexander Arbuthnot conducts hourly cruises from the wharf as does the PS Canberra and PV Pride of the Murray from just downstream of the wharf. In addition to the local paddleboats operating cruises are numerous houseboats available for day, weekend or weekly hire. Echuca also boasts a dedicated floating restaurant the MV Mary Ann. The PS Emmylou and PV Pride of the Murray also offer lunch cruises daily.

Events and Festivals

Annual activities include the Southern 80 waterski race (February) the Jazz, Food and Wine Festival (February) the Rotary Steam Horse and Vintage Rally (June) and the Red Cross Murray Marathon (December).

In Popular Culture

In 1984 the Australian television mini-series, All the Rivers Run, based on a novel by Nancy Cato and starring Sigrid Thornton and John Waters, was filmed in and around Echuca. The local Paddle Steamers PS Pevensey and PS Emmylou featured in the mini-series as the PS Philadelphia and PS Providence respectively. The airing of this series around Australia and internationally revitalized Echuca's tourism economy.

Transport

The Echuca-Moama Road Rail Bridge.

Echuca is connected over the Murray River to Moama by the Echuca-Moama Road Rail Bridge. This historically significant bridge has riveted iron spans supported on cast iron pillars. Echuca-Moama Transit runs 3 services hourly to Echuca East, South & the town of Moama. The terminus is the Old Echuca Post Office on Hare Street. At the moment they are testing a service to 24 Lane and streets on the way to the lane which are near the Rich River Golf Club

V/Line operates the Echuca line rail service from the local station to Melbourne, via Bendigo.

Echuca Airport is also located outside the town.

The Historic Port of Echuca precinct is an authentic working steam port, home to Australia’s largest fleet of steam-driven paddlesteamers.

Media

Newspaper

Riverine Herald, produced by McPherson Media Group, is published 3 days a week; it includes local and national news.

Radio

Community radio station, EMFM, broadcasts in Echuca on the frequency of 104.7FM. They currently broadcast at a power of 1 kW.

Television

Television stations such as ABC, SBS, Prime7, WIN and SC Ten as well as digital multi-channels are broadcast into Echuca from other regions.

Retailers

Echuca has many large retailers, including a Big W, Coles, Safeway Supermarket and Liquor, Mitre 10 Home & Trade, Aldi, Target Country, Dan Murphy's, Carters, and Bunnings Warehouse

Sport

The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Goulburn Valley Football League and a team Echuca United competing in the Murray Football League.

The most popular participation sport in Echuca is Australian Rules Football and Netball. The local team is called the Murray Bombers. Association Football, or soccer and hockey are also played.

Echuca has a horse racing club, the Echuca Racing Club, which schedules around eleven race meetings a year including the Echuca Cup meeting in March.

Echuca Harness Racing Club conducts regular meetings at its racetrack in the town.

Golfers play at the Echuca Back Nine Golf Course on Eyre and McKenzie Streets.

Water Sports:

• Swimming: Echuca Swimming Club. 50 meter indoor pool. YMCA Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre.
• Canoeing: Echuca-Moama Canoe Club and Inland Outriggers.
• Waterskiing: The Southern 80 Ski Race held in February finishing line is in Echuca, starting at the Torrumbarry Weir.

Notable people

• In 1970, Echuca resident Leith Ratten was convicted of murdering his wife. His case became one of the most controversial in Victorian legal history.
• Model Travis Fimmel is from the town.
• AFL footballer Andrew Walker (Carlton)
• AFL footballer Daniel Connors (Richmond)
• AFL footballer Sam Sheldon (Brisbane)

Sister City

Echuca's sister city is Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.

External links

• Echuca Moama Visitor Information Website
• Video on Echuca's Paddle Steamers
• Official Visitors Information for Echuca and its twin city Moama
• Echuca Wharf – Australian National Heritage listing