Bungaree: a little town with lots of stories!
Welcome to the home page of the Bungaree History Walk.
This project is a collaboration between Bungaree Primary School
and the Bungaree and District Historical Society.
This project is a collaboration between Bungaree Primary School
and the Bungaree and District Historical Society.
What's new on the website?
Bungaree CFA Visits the school
Pete Geddes, the CFA Captain, came to Bungaree Primary School to share the fire awareness message. Read about it here or go to the CFA pages.
Pete Geddes, the CFA Captain, came to Bungaree Primary School to share the fire awareness message. Read about it here or go to the CFA pages.
The Wathaurungs
As part of the First Australians, the Bungaree students looked at the Aboriginal population that lived in our area: the Wathaurung (Wadawurrung) tribe. Look at our work under the Wathaurung menu.
Then on February 24th, a new sign was unveiled about the Wadurrung population as an addition to the history walk. Below is an article from The Courier, published 25/2/15.
As part of the First Australians, the Bungaree students looked at the Aboriginal population that lived in our area: the Wathaurung (Wadawurrung) tribe. Look at our work under the Wathaurung menu.
Then on February 24th, a new sign was unveiled about the Wadurrung population as an addition to the history walk. Below is an article from The Courier, published 25/2/15.
Radio Interview
Laura, Sophie and Calvin were interviewed by Dominic Brine on ABC 107.9 on 20/8/2013. Click on this link to Dominic's blog to hear the interview.
Laura, Sophie and Calvin were interviewed by Dominic Brine on ABC 107.9 on 20/8/2013. Click on this link to Dominic's blog to hear the interview.
The children have put up some work about the Mt Warrenheip fire. Click here to see it.
For photos of the launch of the walk from last February, click here.
For photos of the launch of the walk from last February, click here.
The Settlement of Bungaree
Before the gold rush in 1851 large areas surrounding Ballarat were taken up as sheep and cattle runs. The gold rush saw large numbers flock to the district and many remained once the initial rush was over. Many migrants then took up small holdings as the land was fertile and yielded good crops. The Irish brought knowledge of potato farming and the rich volcanic Bungaree soil was ideal. Barley was grown to supply local distilleries. The district supplied good water, timber and stone for road building.
Bungaree was proclaimed a road district in 1863 and a Shire in 1871. By then it
had a post office, bank, 3 hotels, a church and school. The area was sometimes
called Pootilla (the cemetery at Pootilla is registered as the 'Bungaree
Cemetery'), or more commonly 'Warrenheip Junction'. This was because of the
cross roads at the corner of Ballarat - Melbourne Road and Lesters and Creswick
Road intersection. The Grand Junction Hotel was built on this intersection, as
was the Chalmers Store. Both may have been the first businesses in Bungaree.
had a post office, bank, 3 hotels, a church and school. The area was sometimes
called Pootilla (the cemetery at Pootilla is registered as the 'Bungaree
Cemetery'), or more commonly 'Warrenheip Junction'. This was because of the
cross roads at the corner of Ballarat - Melbourne Road and Lesters and Creswick
Road intersection. The Grand Junction Hotel was built on this intersection, as
was the Chalmers Store. Both may have been the first businesses in Bungaree.
We would love to get your feedback on the Historical Walk. We would also love to hear any stories or scan any photos that you have about the district. Please leave your comments on the feedback blog or get in touch via the contact page. We have started uploading contributions to the Extra Information page.
You can also access these pages using your smart phones by the QR codes on each of the signs in the town. Note that audio may not work on Apple products such as iPhones or iPads.
The QR Code page explains what they are and how to download the apps for your smart phones or tablet computers.