Nestled in the valley of a thousand hills, Strath Creek has some amazing history.
Located in the Shire of Murrindindi in central Victoria, Strath Creek is 104km north of Melbourne.
Strath Creek itself flows into the King Parrot Creek in the north.
There are 231 residents in Strath creek and the surrounding areas according to the 2021 census.
A Potted History of Strath Creek taken from “Whispers in the Valley” by Noreen Foster
Two squatting runs were established between 1839 and 1842 Kurysdale or Kurrisdale, later changed to Kerrisdale and Flowerdale. John Murchison’s overseer had claimed his run in 1839; he arrived at Kerrisdale with his family in 1844. Roderick MacKenzie took up Flowerdale in 1842. In 1862 the area of Kerrisdale was listed as 22,796 acres and Flowerdale 24,700 acres. Donald Ferguson squatter owned Flowerdale Station from 1857-1894, the longest owner of either Station. From earliest days sheep to produce wool were mainly grazed with some cattle. When the selectors arrived, dairying as an income source became important. A clearing sale at Flowerdale Station in 1903 listed 150 milking shorthorns & 5000 sheep.
After changes to the Land Acts in 1860’s, people were able to select land that had been previously held by the squatters. The 1870 Register of Licenses is the first official register of Selectors in the district. 1870- 1877 families listed include Bassett, Munro, Kuhne, Lade, McConchie, Forbes, Green, Brace, Fitzgerald, Gooch and McCelland
Mining Surveyors Report 1859 indicated many were looking for gold in the district, Mining Companies floated; activity and fortunes fluctuated over many years. There were many mines in Diggers Gully, along the Strath Creek including in the township, and the well-known “Sailor Jack Reef”. Sailor Jack was first worked in 1866 and the Sailor Jack Reef Co obtained 50oz from crushing 40 tons of stone. Water was always a problem either a lack of it or it flooded the mines. Stephen Baker built his own race and water wheel on the Strath Creek and Charlie Rowlands used a 3 head battery to crush the ore in a similar area.
Cutting works to make it easier to come down Murchison Hill occurred between 1882-4. Saplings at the top of Murchison Hill were cut and used as brakes for the carts and wagons as they came down. Piles of saplings at the foot of the hill needed to be regularly burnt as they blocked the way.
The Township was surveyed and mapped in 1880. It was originally known as Flowerdale Township. Streets were named after local squatters, Glover & Ferguson; and selectors Green, Forbes, Munro and Fitzgerald. A Hotel opened in 1909 it was in the former Creamery manager’s residence. A Creamery associated with Yea Butter Factory was established in 1892. When the Creamery was going most people milked 20 or so cows to take cream to the creamery, often by children on their way to school. The Creamery closed 1905. By 1950’s dairying in district ceased. Sheep, wool and fat lambs became the dominant enterprise.
Stores were built by John Bell Selby 1892 on the block of land beside the Community Church; it was managed by Bill Lyne then owned by him in 1898.
Sly grog for those in the know was available at Bill Lyne’s store. Gooch family 1892 at the foot of the Strath Hill & in 1895 built a store on the site of present War Memorial. Mr Siebler purchased it from the family in 1906-7. Frank Keays in 1909 purchased the Creamery site on the corner of Munro & Glover Streets, built a store and residence. He managed it till he retired in 1946. As well as serving the local community he made deliveries to Reedy Creek, Flowerdale and Kerrisdale.
Good Templars Hall – The current Community Church was built in 1880. It was originally known as Our Future Hope Lodge No.251. A Catholic Church was built in 1889.
Mail was delivered twice weekly to Strath Creek 1878 in a loose bag system. In 1892 full postal services were available at Gooch’s second store.
First school was built in 1881, number 2405; situated in Yorston’s Lane (part of present Strathglen Station,) Miss Laura Halliday the teacher. It was moved by parents to the township in 1893 where there were more school aged children in the district that could attend school. It was given the number 3173 Flowerdale Township, it was recommended in 1896 it be changed to Strath Creek as that was what it was known locally.
Hall opened in 1906, remodelled to its present state with funds provided after 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
First Sports held in 1891, was in the form of an athletics sports. In 1897 it was held on Easter Monday in different paddocks owned by the Forbes family. Abandoned during the war then resumed in 1946 being held at Flowerdale estate in the “Polo Paddock”. A Tennis Club started by ladies in 1899. Cricket teams were established in 1890 and a Football Club formed 1890. Games played on the bank of the creek in the township. Also, a 9 hole Golf Course was established in 1930’s in a paddock known as “Fergusons” on Flowerdale Estate.
