Natimuk

Natimuk is a town in Western Victoria, Australia. It is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) northwest of Melbourne. A further 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Natimuk is one of Australia's best climbing areas, Mount Arapiles. At the 2016 census, Natimuk had a population of 514, up from 449 in 2006.

Natimuk
Victoria
Natimuk
Coordinates36°45′S 141°57′E
Population514 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3409
Location
LGA(s)Rural City of Horsham
State electorate(s)Lowan
Federal Division(s)Mallee

History

The local post office opened as "Natimuk Creek" on 1 July 1874 and was renamed "Natimuk" in 1884.[2]

A railway line, built in a number of sections, once connected Horsham and Hamilton, running via Cavendish, Balmoral and East Natimuk until their closures in 1986 and 1988.[3]

The Natimuk Court of Petty Sessions closed in 1965, with the former courthouse subsequently being used by the local historical society.[4]

In 2004 Natimuk hosted 10000 people for Triple J's One Night Stand.

Description

Natimuk has traditionally survived as a rural service centre for the surrounding grain and sheep farming community. More recently it has diversified into tourism and staved off the decline common in other Wimmera towns. People from all over the planet flock to Natimuk because of the rock climbing at Mount Arapiles and the nearby Grampians.

Around 60 rock climbers (locally known as goats) have made Natimuk their home due to the climbing and lifestyle. Every two years Natimuk hosts its arts festival, the Nati Frinj. Natimuk's arts friendly focus has attracted and supported artists from nearby regions or urban areas to settle in the town.

Sport

The town has traditionally had strong Netball teams - The Ewes. Natimuk also fields three or four Australian Rules teams who compete in the Horsham & District Football League.

Golfers play at the course of the Natimuk Golf Club at Mount Arapiles State Park.[5]

There is also a lawn bowls club, tennis club, cricket club and people come from miles around to compete and train with the Natimuk Gymnastics Club.[6]

Environment
One of the events at the Nati Frinj

There are many small wetlands in the district, and the town lies close to the Natimuk-Douglas Wetlands Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for a variety of waterbirds.[7]

Events

Nati Frinj is hosted in the first weekend of November during each odd numbered year in town. The festival includes music, food, visual art, performances, and various other events.[8] Natimuk also hosts Goatfest, an annual climbing film festival, which coincides with the influx of climbers over the Easter holidays.[9]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "{{{name}}}". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 12 November 2007.
  2. Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 11 April 2008
  3. The Horsham - Hamilton via Balmoral Railway Turton, Keith W. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin July, 1968 pp153-171
  4. "Special Report No. 4 - Court Closures in Victoria" (PDF). Auditor-General of Victoria. 1986. p. 60. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  5. Golf Select, Natimuk, retrieved 11 May 2009
  6. Natimuk Gymnastics Club
  7. "IBA: Natimuk-Douglas Wetlands". Birdata. Birds Australia. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  8. "Nati Frinj Biennale". natifrinj.com. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  9. Simon Mentz; Glenn Tempest (2016). Arapiles Selected Climbs (3rd ed.). Open Spaces Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9875264-2-7.

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