Metcalfe, Victoria
Metcalfe | |||||||||||||
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 Former Shire Hall and Council chambers at Metcalfe | |||||||||||||
  Metcalfe | |||||||||||||
| Coordinates: 37°06′S 144°25′E / 37.100°S 144.417°E | |||||||||||||
| Country | Australia | ||||||||||||
| State | Victoria | ||||||||||||
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| • Total | 190 (2021 census)[2] | ||||||||||||
| Postcode | 3448 | ||||||||||||
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Metcalfe is a town in Mount Alexander Shire. Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 census, it had a population of 190.[2]
The name of the town probably derives from Baron (Charles) Metcalfe, Governor-General of India and later of Canada, who died in 1846. Metcalfe lies on the Coliban River, downstream from the Malmsbury reservoir.
History
Metcalfe was developed mainly during the central Victorian gold rush period, from 1851–1865. It is reported that, in 1851, when the first miners arrived on the Mount Alexander goldfield, near Castlemaine, gold nuggets could be picked up without digging. Nearby reserves still bear the scars of mining activity, including deep shafts and adits.
In 1861, the Metcalfe Road Board was established and, in 1865, the Shire of Metcalfe was declared and the shire hall was constructed. The former shire hall still contains records of councillors and mayors until the dissolution of the shire in 1995.
For most of its history, the major economic activity has been grazing. Recent (2015) purchases of large grazing properties have been made by Chinese interests.[citation needed]
At times, Metcalfe has had a school, post office, a pub and various other businesses, but all of them are now closed. However, Metcalfe does have a recreation reserve[3] with a tennis court and playground. After the opening of the Calder Freeway the volume of traffic travelling between Kyneton and Bendigo via Metcalfe reduced significantly.
Metcalfe post office opened on 13 December 1866.[4]
Attractions
At the "Cascades", just west of the town, the Coliban River flows over and among huge granite boulders and outcrops, creating many rock pools of varying sizes. It is popular for walks, picnics and swimming.
The Metcalfe Tractor Pull is held in September each year.[5]
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Metcalfe (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Metcalfe". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Metcalfe Recreation Reserve". www.goldfieldsguide.com.au. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ Phoenix Auctions History, Post Office List, retrieved 25 March 2021
- ^ Lamb, Eve (13 September 2018). "Metcalfe ready to roar". Castlemaine Mail. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
External links
Media related to Metcalfe, Victoria at Wikimedia Commons
Localities in the Mount Alexander Shire | ||
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^ - Territory divided with another LGA | ||