Charlton, Victoria

Charlton Victoria
Charlton's High Street
Charlton
Population:	1,072(2006)[1]
Postcode:	3525
Coordinates:	36°16′S 143°21′E / 36.267°S 143.35°E / -36.267; 143.35Coordinates: 36°16′S 143°21′E / 36.267°S 143.35°E / -36.267; 143.35
Elevation:	117 m (384 ft)
Location:	245 km (152 mi) NW of Melbourne 105 km (65 mi) NW of Bendigo 305 km (190 mi) SE of Mildura
LGA:	Shire of Buloke
State District:	Swan Hill
Federal Division:	Mallee
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 21.9 °C 71 °F 8.4 °C 47 °F 430.7 mm 17 in

Charlton "The Friendly River Town", is a town in Victoria, Australia. It is a small agricultural community straddling the Avoca River, located at the junction of the Calder Highway (A79) and Borung Highway (C239) and positioned in the last of the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Its location, almost halfway between Melbourne and Mildura, makes Charlton a popular stop along the way for tourists.

History

The original inhabitants of the region were the Jaara Aborigines. After extensive travels throughout the region by Major Thomas Mitchell, settlement by Europeans occurred in 1848 when Robert Cay and William Kaye established a station and named the region after a town in Greenwich, England. Unlike many other towns in the region, Charlton was not established as a result of gold mining, but for pastoral purposes and the proximity to a permanent water supply (the Avoca River). The original town was named Charlton East due to its location on the eastern banks of the Avoca River, and the fact that another town in the Victoria was named Charlton (renamed Chute in 1879). The Charlton East Post Office opened on December 21, 1876 (renamed Charlton in 1879) replacing an earlier (1854) office nearby named Yowen Hill.^[2]

The first bridge to cross the river was erected in 1867 by James Paterson, allowing for expansion on both sides of the river. Throughout the history of Charlton, the Avoca River has been known for its spontaneous flooding after heavy rain showers, resulting in many floods that often surrounded the town or on rare occasions flooded the town. Levy banks were constructed to their present levels in the 1950s, however parts of the town were flooded in September 2010. ^[3]

One of the town's most prominent landmarks is the former hotel, the "Vale of Avoca", which was built on the site of an early bark hut inn by James & Elizabeth Egan in 1879. Built on a reef of stone, Mrs Egan named the building as being in the 'vale' or valley of the nearby Avoca River (Source: The Vale of Avoca official website [1]). It was delicensed as a hotel in 1942, restored in the 1990s and currently operates as a Bed and Breakfast.

Local landscape around Charlton

Demographics

Charlton is the second largest town in the Shire of Buloke. At the 2001 census, Charlton had a population of 1,072.^[1] Government department downsizing in addition to regional economic decline led to the largest percentage decline in population within Victoria between the mid 1980's and the mid 1990's with an estimated 18.3% loss in population (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics [2]). Recent agricultural developments (such as the AWB Limited facilities), a sharp increase in house prices within larger urban areas, in addition to economic recovery, have resulted in a shift towards stabilisation and subsequent increase in Population.

Economy

The economic backbone of Charlton exists almost entirely in agriculture and services. Massive silos dominate the skyline, evidence of the town's rich history in various grains including wheat, oats and barley. Sheep and cattle farming are also prolific with the largest beef feedlot in the state, situated in Yeungroon just south of the town. Recent additions to the region, including an olive farm and winery have diversified the town's agricultural applications.

Major employers in the Charlton area are:

• AWB Limited (Grains)
• Boral (Quarry - Mostly for road aggregate)
• Buloke Shire Council (Local Government)
• Charlton Feedlot (Livestock)
• Charlton P-12 College, Cluster Centre and Saint Joseph's Primary School (Education)
• Graincorp (Grains)
• Lake Marmal Vineyards (Grapes)
• Timbercorp (Olives)

Location of Charlton in Victoria (red)

Transport

Charlton has various public transport connections to Melbourne, one being a V/Line coach service serving the town (and others) to Melbourne. Charlton used to have its own railway station on the Kulwin line, although a bare platform remains and no passenger services operate on the line. The line only carries wheat trains.

Climate

Charlton enjoys a Mediterranean style climate, with long hot summers and mild wet winters. Deep blue skies are regular throughout much of the year as are crystal clear starry nights. Charlton's January average max/min temperatures are 30.4 °C (86.7 °F)/13.8 °C (56.8 °F) and July average max/min temperatures are 13.4 °C (56.1 °F)/3.4 °C (38.1 °F). Annual precipitation is 430.8 mm (16.96") (Source: Bureau of Meteorology[3]).

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Avg high (C)	30.4	30.2	26.7	21.8	17.4	13.9	13.4	15.0	18.0	21.4	25.5	28.7	21.9
Avg low (C)	13.8	14.3	11.8	8.4	6.0	4.1	3.4	4.0	5.5	7.5	10.0	12.4	8.4
Rainfall (millimetres)	24.3	27.2	28.3	32.2	42.7	48.1	43.2	45.2	42.6	41.8	28.4	26.8	430.8

Facilities

Charlton Airfield overview

Charlton's central location to the North Central region has resulted in the town being the beneficiary of considerable services not typically associated with such small localities.

• The Traveller's Rest is an iconic 'toilet block', held very proudly by the locals, situated in the heart of the town within easy walking of shops and restaurants. Containing picnic facilities, a wishing well, gazebo, views of the river, a footbridge across the river and overnight stop facilities, the Traveller's Rest is a regular stop for tourists, the V/Line bus service and various other tour groups.
• Sporting facilities are of a high standard, catering to a diversity of sports participated in by locals and visitors. Football (Australian rules football), netball, cricket, basketball and tennis dominate the Charlton sporting calendar. Charlton has a football team competing in the North Central Football League. Additionally, the harness racing track is a central feature of the town and region, holding regular meets run by the Charlton Harness Racing Club that are televised and broadcast on radio nationally.^[4]
• The Rex Theatre is a fully restored picture theatre serving and operated by the community with various memorabilia and modern movies.
• The town exhibits education facilities for residents from kindergarten to the end of high school. There is also a cluster centre that is now part of the P-12 Charlton College, providing additional education services for students and further education for adults.
• A comprehensive "driver-training" facility is located within the town, assisting young drivers in learning the rules of the road.

New footbridge over the Avoca River in the centre of Charlton

Recreation and tourism

• Charlton's focus is the Avoca River. The picturesque river winds through the town with shady trees and parks lining the banks. Along the river is a 2 km walking track connecting High Street to Charlton Park, where various sporting and recreational facilities exist.
• The Charlton Golden Grains Museum offers the visitor detailed information about the town and its history. The museum is open by appointment on 0418 361 971.
• 2 km west of town is the Charlton golf course.^[5] Built in a clover leaf format, containing three arms of six holes each, the golf course is set amongst picturesque scenery in the nearby Dooboobetic Hills. Kangaroos and other native flora and fauna are seen regularly on the course.
• 5 km southeast of the town, excellent views of the region are to be had from Barrakee Hill, or "Quarry Hill" to the locals.
• 14 km west of the town are the Wooroonook Lakes, providing excellent facilities for water sports enthusiasts, picnickers and campers alike.
• 25 km east of the town is Wychetella Forest, containing many native animals, including the rare Malleefowl.
• Tourist and Information radio is located at 88.0 MHz on the FM dial.

Events

• Annual Australia Day Tennis Tournament - Held over the Australia Day Long Weekend in January
• Art Show - Held every October
• Charlton A & P Society Annual Show, held the 3rd weekend in October
• Charlton Fishing Competition - Held every November
• Charlton Harness Racing Cup - Held every March
• Mardi Gras - Held every December (Christmas celebration)
• Redback Rally - Motorcycle rally, held the second weekend of February
• Charlton Film Festival held at the Rex Theatre every February.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Charlton (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL209200&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2007-10-01. 
2. ^ Premier Postal History, Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&country= Post Office List, https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&country=, retrieved 2008-04-11 
3. ^ "Town shuts down as water floods main street". 9 News. 6 September 2010. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/7956859/town-shuts-down-as-water-gushes-down-main-street. Retrieved 2010-09-06. 
4. ^ Australian Harness Racing, Charlton, http://www.harness.org.au/charlton/charlton.cfm?fromstate=vic, retrieved 2009-05-11 
5. ^ Golf Select, Charlton, http://www.golfselect.com.au/armchair/courseView.aspx?course_id=948, retrieved 2009-05-11 

External links

• Buloke Shire Council official website
• Charlton weather