Yarram, Victoria


Yarram is in Victoria, Australia, in the Shire of Wellington, located in the southeast of Gippsland. At the, the population of the town was. The town is the regional centre of a prosperous farming district. It has a vibrant community, which remains dedicated to a strong sporting culture. The town also has a strong tourism industry, with Tarra Bulga National Park, Port Albert, Ninety Mile Beach and Agnes Falls all being within a 30 minute commute from Yarram. The town is located about one and a half hours from Wilsons Promontory. Nearby towns include Welshpool, Alberton and Foster.

Etymology

The term 'Yarram Yarram' is thought to be an Aboriginal phrase meaning 'plenty of water,' however it is not known which language group the name is taken from.

History

The traditional custodians of the land surrounding Yarram are the Kurnai people, an Australian Aboriginal group, who resisted the invasion of their lands, and sustained heavy casualties as a result.
Being close to one of the first Victorian trade ports,, the town grew quickly after settlement, as a result of the rich dairy country that supplies milk products to Australia, and to the timber industry. In 1841 the site, originally a low-lying swamp, was chosen by a Scottish clan leader, Aeneas Ronaldson MacDonnell, who, with his fellow Scots, attempted to set up a feudal-style court. However, the experiment folded and he subsequently moved to New Zealand.
The post office opened on 1 February 1861 as Yarram Yarram and was renamed Yarram in about 1925. The railway arrived in 1921; the line between Welshpool and Leongatha was closed in October 1987.
The Yarram Magistrates' Court closed on 1 January 1990.

Today

Yarram is known for its proximity to Ninety Mile Beach, Port Albert, neighbouring Tarra-Bulga National Park and heritage architecture in its Main Street, including the historic Regent Theatre.
The town has an Australian Rules football team by the name of the Yarram Demons who are competing in the North Gippsland Football League. Yarram is the home of several former AFL footballers, including Royce Vardy, Anthony Banik, Andrew Dunkley and Jed Lamb. Current AFL players from the town include Josh Dunkley, Nathan Vardy and Kyle Dunkley.
Golfers play at the course of the Yarram Golf Club on Old Sale Road.
Yarram hosts an annual eisteddfod every August showcasing the area's artistic talents in music, speech and drama.
The town has a secondary college, a public primary school and a catholic primary school.

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