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Coordinates: 37°58′0″S 144°08′0″E / 37.96667°S 144.13333°E / -37.96667; 144.13333
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| postcode = 3332
| postcode = 3332
| est =
| est =
| pop = 1,014
| pop = 1,181
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2016}}
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| pop_footnotes =<ref name="abs">{{Census 2016 AUS | id = SSC21487| name = Lethbridge (State Suburb)| accessdate = 30 August 2017 | quick = on}}</ref>
| pop_footnotes =<ref name="abs">{{Census 2021 AUS | id = SAL21496| name = Lethbridge (State Suburb)| access-date = 27 February 2023 | quick = on}}</ref>
| elevation=
| elevation=
| maxtemp =
| maxtemp =
| mintemp =
| mintemp =
| rainfall =
| rainfall =
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Buninyong|Buninyong]]
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Eureka|Eureka]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Corangamite|Corangamite]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Corangamite|Corangamite]]
| dist1 = 97
| dist1 = 95
| dir1 = W
| dir1 = W
| location1= Melbourne
| location1= Melbourne
Line 47: Line 47:
| near-se = [[Russells Bridge, Victoria|Russells Bridge]]<br />[[Bannockburn, Victoria|Bannockburn]]
| near-se = [[Russells Bridge, Victoria|Russells Bridge]]<br />[[Bannockburn, Victoria|Bannockburn]]
}}
}}
'''Lethbridge''' is a [[rural]] [[township]] outside [[Geelong]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]. [[Bluestone]] from Lethbridge quarries was used to build several significant buildings in [[Melbourne]], including the steps to the [[Parliament House, Melbourne|Parliament House]]. At the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Lethbridge had a population of 1,014.<ref name="abs"/>
'''Lethbridge''' is a town in [[Golden Plains Shire]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]. [[Bluestone]] from Lethbridge quarries was used to build several significant buildings in [[Melbourne]], including the steps to the [[Parliament House, Melbourne|Parliament House]]. At the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Lethbridge had a population of 1,014.<ref name="abs"/>


Lethbridge Post Office opened on 10 September 1857 and closed in 1980.<ref name = "a">{{Cite web| last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&country= | accessdate = 2008-04-11 }}</ref>
Lethbridge Post Office opened on 10 September 1857 and closed in 1980.<ref name = "a">{{Cite web| last = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | url = http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&filter=*Lethbridge* | access-date = 28 March 2021 }}</ref>


The community of Lethbridge has a range of facilities and services including:
The community of Lethbridge has a range of facilities and services including:
* Lethbridge Primary School
* Lethbridge Primary School
* The town hall (which offers community groups include Playgroup, Karate, Cub scouts and individual functions)
* The town hall (which offers community groups including Karate and Cub scouts)
* [[Lethbridge Airpark]]
* [[Lethbridge Airpark]]
* Sports facility (with two football ovals and a tennis court)
* Sports and Community facility (Lethbridge Recreation Reserve) (with two football ovals and three tennis courts, also offering Playgroup and Community functions. A skate park and playground are located nearby.
⚫
* Lethbridge Equestrian Centre
* General store
* Lethbridge General Store
* [[Country Fire Authority]]
* [[Country Fire Authority]]
* Lethbridge Lake (equipped with BBQ shelters and room for recreational activities such as fishing)
⚫
* Lethbridge Lake
*Lethbridge Wines
* [https://www.goldenplainsequine.com.au/ Golden Plains Equine], specialist veterinary clinic for horses.


== History ==
⚫
The railway came to the town with the opening of the [[Geelong–Ballarat railway line|Geelong-Ballarat line]] in 1862,<ref name=rg>{{cite web|url=http://www.railgeelong.com/lineguide/geelong|title=Rail Geelong - Geelong Line Guide|publisher=www.railgeelong.com|accessdate=2008-04-23}}</ref> with the [[Lethbridge railway station, Victoria|local railway station]] opened soon after, but today only grain and fruit trains use the line.
The rural township was formally named Muddy Water Holes, the original name was most likely because of the line of ponds across Bruce's Creek. In 1854 the township was proclaimed and named as Lethbridge.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Lethbridge {{!}} Victorian Places|url=https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/lethbridge|access-date=2021-03-07|website=www.victorianplaces.com.au}}</ref> Lethbridge was along the horse and carriage tracks that connected [[Geelong]] and [[Ballarat]] to connect Geelong's port access with Ballarat's goldfields, which became the primary route between the two cities which is now [[Midland Highway (Victoria)|Midland Highway]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Golden Plains Planning Scheme - Lethbridge Heritage Precinct Statement of Significance|url=https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/490272/C090gpla-Lethbridge-Heritage-Precinct-Statement-of-Significance.pdf}}</ref>


⚫
The railway came to the town with the opening of the [[Geelong–Ballarat railway line|Geelong-Ballarat line]] in 1862,<ref name=rg>{{cite web|url=http://www.railgeelong.com/lineguide/geelong|title=Rail Geelong - Geelong Line Guide|publisher=www.railgeelong.com|access-date=2008-04-23}}</ref> with the [[Lethbridge railway station, Victoria|local railway station]] opened soon after, but today only grain and fruit trains use the line.
⚫
[[Moranghurk]], a Lethbridge homestead dating from approximately the 1840s, located on the Midland Highway, is listed on the [[Victorian Heritage Register]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/result_detail/651 | title=Moranghurk (H0266) | publisher=[[Heritage Victoria]] | work=[[Victorian Heritage Register]] | accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>

Throughout the 19th century, Lethbridge became a growing community. Multiple schools including a catholic school and a Presbyterian school opened up, however, they were all shut down when the township introduced a government school in 1874,<ref name=":0" /> known now as Lethbridge Primary School. The original site for Lethbridge Primary School continued to be used up until 2010, the school was relocated to a brand new premise in Stephenson Street, the original bluestone schoolhouse still remains intact at the former site.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lethbridge Primary School|url=https://www.intraspace.com.au/projects/lethbridge-primary-school|access-date=2021-03-07|website=IntraSpace|language=en}}</ref>

Local bluestone was sourced from Lethbridge quarries, the shire hall in Bannockburn and the war memorial in [[Inverleigh, Victoria|Inverleigh]] have also used bluestone in their construction. Football, cricket clubs, and even a mechanics' institute were introduced to Lethbridge.<ref name=":0" />

Lethbridge introduced its first Catholic church built in the early 1860s, St Mary's church. Before the 1860s Lethbridge was included in the parish of St Mary's Geelong. Lethbridge Uniting Church was built in 1868–69, originally built on the Midland Highway but later relocated to opposite the local railway station.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Eric|first=McGillivary|title=The Heritage of Lethbridge|publisher=Neptune Press Pty Ltd|year=1996|pages=22–27}}</ref> The sites for both St Mary's church and Lethbridge uniting church still exist today,

⚫
[https://www.moranghurk.com/ Moranghurk], a Lethbridge homestead dating from approximately the 1840s, located on the Midland Highway, is listed on the [[Victorian Heritage Register]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/result_detail/651 | title=Moranghurk (H0266) | publisher=[[Heritage Victoria]] | work=[[Victorian Heritage Register]] | access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> The Moranghurk shearer's quarters have been restored and can accommodate for up to 30 guests.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Moranghurk Shearer's Quarters|url=https://www.moranghurk.com/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=Moranghurk|language=en-US}}</ref>

During the 1900s, Lethbridge was not as busy as it once was. A portion of the population were farms settled by soldiers when part of the Moranghurk estate was subdivided during World War II. The population census even recorded a population as low as 172 in 1966.<ref name=":0" />


[[Peter Lalor]], the leader of the Eureka Stockade rebellion, hid overnight in Lethbridge while fleeing from [[Ballarat, Victoria|Ballarat]] to Geelong in November 1854.
[[Peter Lalor]], the leader of the Eureka Stockade rebellion, hid overnight in Lethbridge while fleeing from [[Ballarat, Victoria|Ballarat]] to Geelong in November 1854.


[[George Elmslie (Australian politician)|George Elmslie]], first Labor Premier of Victoria, was born in Lethbridge in 1861.
[[George Elmslie (Australian politician)|George Elmslie]], first Labor Premier of Victoria, was born in Lethbridge in 1861.<ref>{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Jones|first=Barry O. |title=George Alexander Elmslie (1861–1918) |id2=elmslie-george-alexander-6109 |year=1981 |volume=8 |access-date=2021-03-07}}</ref>

== Present day ==
Population and activity in Lethbridge has declined since its peak during the mid-19th century. At the 2016 census, Lethbridge had a population of 1,014, as opposed to the 1861 population of 1,267.<ref name=":0" /> The predicted population for Lethbridge (and surrounding areas such as [[Meredith, Victoria|Meredith]] and [[She Oaks, Victoria|She Oaks]]) in 2021 is 2,460 and expected to reach 3,007 in 2041.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About the forecast areas {{!}} Golden Plains Shire {{!}} Population forecast|url=https://forecast.id.com.au/golden-plains/about-forecast-areas?WebID=140|access-date=2021-03-07|website=forecast.id.com.au}}</ref>

Many of the facilities mentioned above are located in one central area, despite Lethbridge being located on the Midland Highway, the central area is located away from the highway. Although the history of Lethbridge is preserved through buildings such as the railway station and old school site. At the Lethbridge lake, the former railway water tank still exists today, used to supply water for steam engines that needed to take on water at the railway station.

== Sports ==

=== Cricket ===
Lethbridge has a cricket club that was established in 1879, playing at the sports facilities.

=== Football ===
Lethbridge offers football teams for junior players, also playing at the sports facilities in Lethbridge.

=== Equestrian ===
Lethbridge has an indoor equestrian arena for horse sports


==References==
==References==
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{{Towns in Golden Plains Shire}}
{{Towns in Golden Plains Shire}}



{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Towns in Victoria (Australia)]]
[[Category:Towns in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Golden Plains Shire]]


{{VictoriaAU-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:34, 30 November 2024

For other uses, see Lethbridge (disambiguation).

Lethbridge
Victoria
General store
Lethbridge is located in Golden Plains Shire
Lethbridge
Lethbridge
Coordinates37°58′0″S 144°08′0″E / 37.96667°S 144.13333°E / -37.96667; 144.13333
Population1,181 (2021 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3332
Location
LGA(s)Golden Plains Shire
State electorate(s)Eureka
Federal division(s)Corangamite
Localities around Lethbridge:
Meredith Meredith She Oaks
Bamganie Lethbridge Maude
Shelford Teesdale Russells Bridge
Bannockburn

Lethbridge is a town in Golden Plains Shire, Victoria, Australia. Bluestone from Lethbridge quarries was used to build several significant buildings in Melbourne, including the steps to the Parliament House. At the 2016 census, Lethbridge had a population of 1,014.[1]

Lethbridge Post Office opened on 10 September 1857 and closed in 1980.[2]

The community of Lethbridge has a range of facilities and services including:

  • Lethbridge Primary School
  • The town hall (which offers community groups including Karate and Cub scouts)
  • Lethbridge Airpark
  • Sports and Community facility (Lethbridge Recreation Reserve) (with two football ovals and three tennis courts, also offering Playgroup and Community functions. A skate park and playground are located nearby.
  • Lethbridge Equestrian Centre
  • Lethbridge General Store
  • Country Fire Authority
  • Lethbridge Lake (equipped with BBQ shelters and room for recreational activities such as fishing)
  • Lethbridge Wines
  • Golden Plains Equine, specialist veterinary clinic for horses.

History

[edit]

The rural township was formally named Muddy Water Holes, the original name was most likely because of the line of ponds across Bruce's Creek. In 1854 the township was proclaimed and named as Lethbridge.[3] Lethbridge was along the horse and carriage tracks that connected Geelong and Ballarat to connect Geelong's port access with Ballarat's goldfields, which became the primary route between the two cities which is now Midland Highway.[4]

The railway came to the town with the opening of the Geelong-Ballarat line in 1862,[5] with the local railway station opened soon after, but today only grain and fruit trains use the line.

Throughout the 19th century, Lethbridge became a growing community. Multiple schools including a catholic school and a Presbyterian school opened up, however, they were all shut down when the township introduced a government school in 1874,[3] known now as Lethbridge Primary School. The original site for Lethbridge Primary School continued to be used up until 2010, the school was relocated to a brand new premise in Stephenson Street, the original bluestone schoolhouse still remains intact at the former site.[6]

Local bluestone was sourced from Lethbridge quarries, the shire hall in Bannockburn and the war memorial in Inverleigh have also used bluestone in their construction. Football, cricket clubs, and even a mechanics' institute were introduced to Lethbridge.[3]

Lethbridge introduced its first Catholic church built in the early 1860s, St Mary's church. Before the 1860s Lethbridge was included in the parish of St Mary's Geelong. Lethbridge Uniting Church was built in 1868–69, originally built on the Midland Highway but later relocated to opposite the local railway station.[7] The sites for both St Mary's church and Lethbridge uniting church still exist today,

Moranghurk, a Lethbridge homestead dating from approximately the 1840s, located on the Midland Highway, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.[8] The Moranghurk shearer's quarters have been restored and can accommodate for up to 30 guests.[9]

During the 1900s, Lethbridge was not as busy as it once was. A portion of the population were farms settled by soldiers when part of the Moranghurk estate was subdivided during World War II. The population census even recorded a population as low as 172 in 1966.[3]

Peter Lalor, the leader of the Eureka Stockade rebellion, hid overnight in Lethbridge while fleeing from Ballarat to Geelong in November 1854.

George Elmslie, first Labor Premier of Victoria, was born in Lethbridge in 1861.[10]

Present day

[edit]

Population and activity in Lethbridge has declined since its peak during the mid-19th century. At the 2016 census, Lethbridge had a population of 1,014, as opposed to the 1861 population of 1,267.[3] The predicted population for Lethbridge (and surrounding areas such as Meredith and She Oaks) in 2021 is 2,460 and expected to reach 3,007 in 2041.[11]

Many of the facilities mentioned above are located in one central area, despite Lethbridge being located on the Midland Highway, the central area is located away from the highway. Although the history of Lethbridge is preserved through buildings such as the railway station and old school site. At the Lethbridge lake, the former railway water tank still exists today, used to supply water for steam engines that needed to take on water at the railway station.

Sports

[edit]

Cricket

[edit]

Lethbridge has a cricket club that was established in 1879, playing at the sports facilities.

Football

[edit]

Lethbridge offers football teams for junior players, also playing at the sports facilities in Lethbridge.

Equestrian

[edit]

Lethbridge has an indoor equestrian arena for horse sports

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Lethbridge (State Suburb)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 27 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Lethbridge | Victorian Places". www.victorianplaces.com.au. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Golden Plains Planning Scheme - Lethbridge Heritage Precinct Statement of Significance" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Rail Geelong - Geelong Line Guide". www.railgeelong.com. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  6. ^ "Lethbridge Primary School". IntraSpace. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  7. ^ Eric, McGillivary (1996). The Heritage of Lethbridge. Neptune Press Pty Ltd. pp. 22–27.
  8. ^ "Moranghurk (H0266)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  9. ^ "Moranghurk Shearer's Quarters". Moranghurk. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  10. ^ Jones, Barry O. (1981). "George Alexander Elmslie (1861–1918)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 8. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  11. ^ "About the forecast areas | Golden Plains Shire | Population forecast". forecast.id.com.au. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
[edit]

Media related to Lethbridge, Victoria at Wikimedia Commons

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