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Kyneton

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Kyneton
Victoria
Looking along Piper Street, Kyneton
Population6,629 (2011 census)[1]
Established1850
Postcode(s)3444
Elevation519 m (1,703 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Macedon Ranges
State electorate(s)Macedon
Federal division(s)Bendigo
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
18.6 °C
65 °F		 5.6 °C
42 °F		 752.7 mm
29.6 in
Localities around Kyneton:
Elphinstone Metcalfe Baynton
Malmsbury Kyneton Benloch
Lauriston Woodend North Carlsruhe

Kyneton (/ˈkaɪntən/ KEYEN-tən)[2] is a town in the Macedon Ranges region of Victoria, Australia. The Calder Freeway bypasses Kyneton to the north and east. The town was named after the English village of Kineton, Warwickshire.[3]

The town has three main streets: Mollison Street, Piper Street and High Street. Piper Street has the oldest streetscape of these, and still has many of its original buildings. The railway station, about 91 kilometres (57 mi) from Melbourne on the Bendigo railway line,[4] is a terminus for two weekday peak-hour trains. The town is the council seat of the Shire of Macedon Ranges. At the 2011 census, Kyneton had a population of 6,629.

Kyneton is home to mineral springs, the Campaspe River, botanical gardens and historic houses, many with bluestone architecture. Kyneton hosts several events during the year including the ANZAC Day parade, Kyneton Daffodil Festival, Kyneton Agricultural show and the Kyneton Cup.

History

The explorer Major Thomas Mitchell crossed and named the Campaspe River near present-day Kyneton on his 1836 expedition.[5] The first British settlers arrived in the area the same year.

Unlike a majority of towns in the area, Kyneton predates the Victorian gold rushes,[6] having been established in 1850, whereas the gold rushes started the year after. At this time, Kyneton was a growing rural centre, and served as a major stop for those heading to the gold rushes at Mount Alexander and Bendigo. The post office opened on 1 July 1843 as Mount Macedon and was renamed Kyneton on 1 January 1854.[7]

In November 1857, the humanitarian Caroline Chisholm moved her family to Kyneton, where her husband Archibald sat on the magistrates' bench and their two elder sons ran a store.

Kyneton Mounted Rifle Corps was formed in 1859, as one of the volunteer brigades set up when Britain was involved in wars in Afghanistan, Crimea and India. The Kyneton Mounted Rifle Corps was among the earliest in the colony of Victoria. The corps was later amalgamated in the 1880s to form the Victorian Mounted Rifles. Although the individual volunteer units had been disbanded by Federation (1901), many members became part of the 4th and 12th regiments of Light Horse at the Battle of Beersheba (1917) against Turkish troops of the Ottoman Empire.[8]

Sir Stanley Argyle, Premier of Victoria 1932-35, was born in Kyneton in 1867.

The Kyneton Courthouse tried Ned Kelly in 1870[9] for robbery under arms. This courthouse has since continued to function, although only as a magistrates court on Mondays.

Media

Kyneton's main locally produced newspaper is the Midland Express, which also serves Castlemaine. The town receives television from Mount Alexander, and is served by a community radio station, 100.7 Highlands FM, based in Woodend.

Tourist attractions

Autumn in the Kyneton Botanical Gardens.

Kyneton offers tourists several points of interest locally including the Botanic Gardens (established in the mid-1800s[10]) and several walks along the Campaspe River.

Various Farmers Markets and festivals throughout the year make the town popular as a day trip destination. The township also serves as a starting point for many nearby destinations, such as Trentham Falls and Hanging Rock in Newham.

Kyneton Museum, located in the old Bank of New South Wales building (built in 1856[11]), houses an extensive collection of local historical items.

Being located well away from any heavily populated areas and their inherent light pollution, Kyneton is also a destination for astronomers seeking a clear view of the Southern Hemisphere night skies due to relatively low pollution levels as opposed to Australian cities. The Cobaw Plateau is host to a 500 hectare facility for astronomical observation.

Education

Kyneton Mechanics Hall

Kyneton is centrally located among several outlying towns and serves as an educational hub for primary and secondary students. The following educational institutions are located in the main township:

Sport

The town has an Australian rules football team, Kyneton Football Club, competing in the Bendigo Football League .It is here where, Kyneton legend, Laurie Raines started his football career.[12]

Kyneton has a horse racing club, the Kyneton District Racing Club, which schedules around sixteen race meetings a year including the Kyneton Cup meeting in November (always the day after the Melbourne Cup).[13] In 2009 the Kyneton District Racing Club partnered with the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE to use the facilities of the racecourse and its extensive grounds as an educational training facility.[14][15]

Golfers play at the course of the Kyneton Golf Club on Black Hill Road.[16]

Kyneton has a football team "The Rangers" which compete in the Melbourne Division 3 under the FFV banner.[17]

References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Kyneton, Vic(SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 24 October 2012. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
  3. ^ Blake, Les (1977) Place Names of Victoria, p. 147. Melbourne: Rigby Limited. ISBN 0-7270-0250-3
  4. ^ Vicsig.net Bendigo Fast Rail line guide, Retrieved on 7 January 2011.
  5. ^ Shire of Campaspe [1], Retrieved on 7 January 2010.
  6. ^ Priestly, Susan (1984), The Victorians: vol. III, Making Their Mark, McMahons Point, NSW: Fairfax, Syme & Weldon Associates, p. 73, ISBN 0-949288-03-9
  7. ^ Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 11 April 2008
  8. ^ Macedon Ranges Leader http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/book-on-military-brigades-to-recognise-mounted-regiments/story-fnglenug-1226594866646 , Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  9. ^ Ned on the net Ned Kelly lock-up safe in police complex plans, Retrieved on 7 January 2011.
  10. ^ Kyneton Botanic Gardens [2], Retrieved on 7 January 2011.
  11. ^ Kyneton Museum [3], Retrieved on 7 January 2011.
  12. ^ Full Points Footy, Kyneton, retrieved 25 July 2008
  13. ^ Country Racing Victoria, Country Racing Victoria, retrieved 7 January 2011
  14. ^ Jessica Foulds, Race to Educate, Macedon Ranges Telegraph, 23 June 2009. Accessed 7 August 2009
  15. ^ Barry Kennedy, Kyneton course in training on track, Leader newspapers, 25 June 2009. Accessed 7 August 2009
  16. ^ Golf Select, Kyneton, retrieved 11 May 2009
  17. ^ The Rangers KDSC – About the club, Retrieved on 7 January 2011.

Media related to Kyneton, Victoria at Wikimedia Commons

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