History

​HUME & HOVELL

During their epic adventure, Hume reached the junction of the Goulburn River & the Dabyminga Creek on 23rd December 1824.

Today these two waterways give their names to the rooms of the hall.

In those days the Goulburn was known as the Hovell and the Dabyminga as Reedy Creek.  Hume’s mare was bitten by a snake so they decided to camp for a few days at the foot of a hill now known as Camp Hill, allowing time for the horse to recover.

Hume’s edited account runs as follows: “From the top of the hill we obtained a fine view of the river flowing from the north east through a gap in the mountain range distant about eight to ten miles where after a considerable curve to the west it eventually turned north west in which direction it was visible at a great distance”.

Hume & Hovell observed Christmas Day at their camp “to avail themselves of the fine fish which abounded in the river”.

On Boxing Day, Hume’s mare had now recovered from the snake bite and they crossed the river at a ford slightly to the north of the junction of the Goulburn and Dabyminga Rivers.

It was this journey, which opened up Victoria and inspired explorers such as Hawdon, Gardiner and Hepburn (who became known as the ‘Overlanders’) to travel to the region.  They reached the area in 1836.  Hawdon was so impressed with the area that he took up 27,520 acres which was known as  ‘Tallarook Run’. 

Hawdon thus became the first colonist in the area.

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Timeline

The original Township was surveyed on the South Side of the Goulburn River and called ‘Dabyminga’. But this site never took off and the Township grew within the territory of the ‘Tallarook Run’ Station. The name of Tallarook was adopted for this town as it rolled off the tongue with greater ease than Dabyminga!

 

1100 Acres reserved for the Township of Tallarook as noted on Plan No 133 – ‘Country Allotments of Seymour, Tallarook & Lowry’. The town developed as a changing post for Coach Horses (at the site of the current pool) as it was a convenient site between Broadford & Seymour.

1855


A General Store, Blacksmiths, some Huts & a Hotel were in operation.

1869


1872

Railway Station opened


1878

New Station Built with refreshment rooms & a bar.


1884

Second Platform built at Railway station.


1885>

Tallarook was at its busiest. Tallarook boasted two Hotels, two Saw Mills, two General Store’s (one housed the Register of Births, Deaths & Marriages), Butcher, Baker, Boot maker, Police Station, Photographer, Jeweller, ‘Tallarook Cordial’ Manufacturer.

1891

Tallarook Mechanics Institute Hall building completed.