Terang (including Noorat and Glenormiston)
Attractive rural centre with delightful main street.
Located 216 km west of Melbourne, Terang is an attractive, medium-sized rural centre which serves an irrigated farming, dairying and pastoral district. It has a population of some 2500 people and is situated at an elevation of 132 metres. The streets of Terang are graced with some lovely avenues of venerable trees: High St has its English oaks (planted in the 1890s), Thomson St its cottonwood poplars (planted in 1900) and plane trees (1910s) line the Princes Highway.

The Glenormiston run was taken up to the north of the townsite in 1839 and taken over by Niel Black in 1840. That same year John Thomson established a 13 000-ha run on Lake Keilambete (6 km north-west of Terang). He is said to have built the first brick house in the district. He also devised a system for reticulating natural spring water from the northern end of Lake Keilambete to his property by means of cast-iron pipes which he imported from Scotland.

The first slab hut was also erected on the future townsite in 1840 by Donald McNicol, an employee of Niel Black. The first sale of town allotments occurred in 1855. Two years later there were four buildings within the town boundary - two slab huts, a slab store and a carpenter's shop. There were also one or two families living in tents. The first post office opened either in the store or the carpenter's shop in 1859. A rough wooden schoolroom and the town's first hostelry were erected in the same year. The early 1860s saw the construction of a racecourse and the establishment of the Wheatsheaf Hotel (still in existence). The town was named after an Aboriginal word said, inexplicably, to mean 'a twig with leaves'.

At that time the area was densely timbered and thick with tea-tree. So dense was the foliage that the store owner had to mark the route from his hut to his store. Many Aboriginal people, thought to have been of the Kuurn Kopan Noot tribe, lived in the area, particularly by the lake, but there was much conflict when whites arrived and a massacre is said to have occurred at this time. The upshot was that they had all but disappeared before too many years had passed. An attempt to deal with the situation led to the establishment of Framlingham Aboriginal mission to the west of town. It was one of two in the Western District of Victoria. In 1867 80 Aborigines were removed to the Lake Condah reservation but the governing bodies had failed to determine that the two groups were poorly disposed towards each other and conflict resulted. Thus the Framlingham group were returned. The Aboriginal Lands Act of 1970 granted control of this land to the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust.

Rabbits became a pest in the area and the 1860s saw the first dry stone walls of the area erected in an attempt to keep them out of paddocks. Many still remain as a colourful feature of the area, particularly around Noorat.

A regular coach service from Geelong to Warrnambool commenced in the 1860s, stopping at the Commercial Hotel at Terang en route. The early 1870s saw Cobb & Co commence a regular service between Warrnambool and Camperdown.

A telegraph service opened at the post office in 1871 and a stone schoolhouse replaced the original wooden building in 1874. It remains a part of the present school. The Camperdown-Terang rail link was opened in 1887 with the line extended to Mortlake and Warrnambool in 1890.

As selectors moved in and the sheep and cattle stations were broken up for closer settlement, wheat was grown and a flour mill was established just outside of town. Dairy farming emerged later in the century when the Noorat and Keilambete estates was broken up. The Glenormiston Butter and Cheese Factory was set up in the old bluestone woolshed on the Glenormiston Estate in 1895: 1000 gallons of whole milk being received on the first day. A creamery opened at Noorat in 1903, receiving 1800 gallons daily, and another was set up at Castlecarey in 1906. In 1910 the original butter factory was moved to Noorat and another creamery erected in its stead at Glenormiston. In 1911 Trufood established a powdered skim milk factory at Glenormiston. From 1895 to 1949 the Glenormiston Butter and Cheese Factory produced 249 million gallons of whole milk and over 66 000 tons of butter.

The first powered flight in Australia was made in 1910 by John. R. Duigan who was born at Terang in 1882. The craft was designed and constructed in Australia with Duigan himself building the aeroplane's frame and ancillary gears. He later saw combat in Europe during World War I. After the war the area was opened up for soldier settlement.

As an interesting moment in social history the Terang Express reported, in 1934, the "furore" caused by "three young ladies". The verdict: "various were the opinions expressed; and none of them were too nice".

As part of the war effort, the government set up a flax mill at Terang in 1940 (it closed in 1947), a glove factory operated from 1944 to 1952 and a sawmill was set up in 1947. After World War II local estates were again broken up for soldier settlement.

Medical scientist Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet (1899-1985) attended Terang State School. He was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in immunology in 1960. His father was the manager of the Terang National Bank. Burnet spent much time studying the life in and around Lake Terang (now drained).

Noorat, 6 km north of Terang, was the birthplace of popular fiction writer Alan Marshall (1902-1984) whose autobiography I Can Jump Puddles (1955) told the story of his childhood and his battle with polio which he contracted in 1908. In the 1970s Hal Porter lived on a property near Garvoc, 12 km south-west along the Princes Highway.

The Noorat Show is held on the third Saturday in November.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The nearest information centre is located at Camperdown, 22 km east along the Princes Highway, tel: (03) 5593 3390. Canoeists and anglers may enjoy Mount Emu Creek.

Terang Cottage Crafts
At 22 High St (near the corner of High St and Estcourt St) is the former courthouse, police station and residence which now houses Terang Cottage Crafts. It offers locally-made pottery, woollen handknits, paintings, handicrafts, stationary, books and leather goods and is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5592 1984.

Heritage Walk
The old courthouse is one example of Terang's fine turn-of-the-century architecture. Adjacent is the post office. The clock tower was allegedly the first in the Commonwealth to be funded by public subscription. Both the courthouse and post office were constructed of Northcote bricks by the same builder in 1903-04.

The 20-metre granite obelisk in the middle of the road is the War Memorial (1923) which is framed by the Grace Black Memorial Gates (1938).

Cross the road to the Commercial Hotel, opposite the post office. The tower remains from the 1866 original.

Diagonally opposite the post office, at the corner of High St and the Cobden-Terang Rd, is the former National Bank (1929), now Terang Computers.

Walk westwards along High St which is graced by a beautiful plantation of well-established English oaks planted in the 1890s. On the same side of the road, a little further along, is the ANZ Bank building, constructed in 1901 as the Bank of Australasia. Just beyond it are the Doyle and Kerr buildings (1906).

Further west along High St, on the corner with the Promenade, is the Shire of Hampden building, erected in 1898 as a mechanics' institute and library. At its rear is an early public hall dating from 1886 and on the western side of the building is the present Civic Hall (1910).

To its rear is attractive Centenary Park. The basin, with its ornamental and native trees, was once a lake which attracted many waterbirds. It was used as a sheep wash by the early settlers and for recreational purposes, such as fishing. However, it was prone to periodic evaporation and in 1933 the peat bed caught fire and burned for some weeks. Subsequently it was completely drained and turned into a park and golf course. On the southern side of the lake is the former Catholic Church (1900) and presbytery (1910). The town's second Catholic Church, it is now privately owned.

Heritage Walk - Thomson Memorial Church
Return to High St. Near its western end, on the southern side, is Thomson Memorial Presbyterian Church. It is named after John Thomson who squatted on Lake Keilambete (6 km north-west of Terang) in 1840. He is said to have built the first brick house in the district, was appointed a magistrate in 1840 and was also a founder of the first church in Terang, erected by the Bible Christian denomination in 1863. The Thomson Memorial Presbyterian Church was erected at his instigation in 1893-94 on the site of an earlier Presbyterian church. Unfortunately Thomson was killed in a driving accident before work started but his wife ensured its completion and dedication. A Gothic Revival design in sandstone, it is one of the largest country town churches in Victoria and is loosely modelled on Scots Church in Collins St, Melbourne. The wagon-headed roof structure and stained-glass windows are of note.

On its eastern side is the Sunday School hall, erected at the same time as, and by the same builder responsible for, the post office and courthouse.

Heritage Walk - Museum
At the western end of High St turn left into the Princes Highway (the Warrnambool Road). 350 metres along, to the left, is the town's primary school. The oldest building dates from 1871 with a northern wing added in 1890 and a southern wing in 1907.

In the grounds is a local history museum, housed in the old Dixie Primary School building which was relocated to this site. The Museum is open on the third Sunday of each month from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm and on meeting nights (third Monday of the month ) from 8 pm. Or by mutual arrangement with the Historical Society. The Genealogical Society Family Research Centre and Library also have rooms in the same complex and are open on the second and fourth Wednesdays 11.00 am to 4.00 pm and also the third Sunday from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm.

Heritage Walk Continued
A little further south along the highway, on the other side of the road, is the former Presbyterian manse. The section with the bay window dates from 1876. It was extended in 1886.

Return along the highway towards High St. To the left, by the Tobin St corner, is the town's earliest church building. Erected in 1863 as the Bible Christian Church it is now part of the masonic hall buildings.

When you reach High St, cross over the road to the northern side. At the Lyons St corner are St Thomas' Catholic School (1906) and the Convent of Mercy (1910). At the end of the road (400 metres) is the railway station (1889). Opposite is Bowman's Hotel (1903).

Return along Lyons St and turn left, back into High St. At the corner of High St and Shadforth St, is the Wheatsheaf Hotel, built in 1893 but much altered. The row of adjoining shops date from 1900.

Further east along High St, to the left, is Johnstone Court. This complex features a glazed barrel-vaulted atrium with decorative detailing.

Just beyond it is the Terang Hotel (1900). The town's first slab store (c.1857) was erected on the corner of Estcourt St and High St, where the Terang Co-operative Store now stands.

If you still have the energy you may wish to cross over High St and walk along the highway past the Commercial Hotel and take the first right into McKinnon St. 200 metres along, to the left, is the Uniting Church, built in 1868 as the Methodist Church. The parsonage adjacent (in Ewing St) dates from 1902.

Modelbarn
A large range of model cars, trucks, tractors and earthmoving equipment can be found at Hobbybarn which is located 5 km east of Terang on Robertsons Road. They also stock some aircraft and military kits, hobby tools and paint. They are open by chance or by appointment, tel: (03) 5592 1592 or (015) 052 227.

Noorat
Noorat, 6 km north, is a small and attractive rural village of approximately 400 people located at the foot of Mt Noorat, a green volcanic cone rising to 313 metres above sea-level. It was once a meeting and trading place for the district's Aborigines who exchanged stones, spears, skins and other material. Over the years Mt Noorat has proven a source of scoria, used on the district's early roads. There is a walking track to the summit which offers fine views of the surrounding volcanic plains and other outlying cones. It starts 1 km up the Glenormiston South Road which runs off the Camperdown-Mortlake Road.

Noorat was the birthplace of much loved Australian author Alan Marshall (1902-1984) whose most famous work was his autobiography I Can Jump Puddles (1955) which told the story of his battle with polio which he contracted in 1908. It was subsequently turned into a charming film. A cairn has been erected in the park opposite the Beehive Store, which was Marshall's birthplace. The biography I Can Jump Oceans, by Harry Marks, places Marshall in his social context within the town and district.

The impressive Dalvui homestead (1908) is situated amidst outstanding gardens designed by William Guilfoyle, designer of Melbourne's Botanic Gardens.

The Niel Black Presbyterian Memorial Church (1883) is a bluestone structure named after the man who took over the Glenormiston run in 1840. He became a civic leader, benefactor and MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly). Black's diaries, journals and papers have proved a rich source of insight for historians. He played the organ in the church. The Sunday School hall was built in his memory in 1912.

The bluestone school building dates from 1875 and the Noorat Creamery was established in 1891 with new buildings added in 1910, 1924 and 1936. Mount Noorat Hotel was erected in 1909 on the site of the first hotel.

Glenormiston
Glenormiston is 4 km north-east of Noorat. The bluestone administrative offices of Glenormiston Agricultural College were originally the homestead of Niel Black of the Glenormiston station. The earliest section dates from the 1850s. The offices and 40-ha historic garden can be visited during opening hours, in-term, at Glenormiston South, tel: (03) 5557 8200.

Lake Keilambete
Lake Keilambete is a pacific spot with considerable significance to the indigenous community. It is located 6 km north-west of Terang.

Ralph Illidge Sanctuary
The Ralph Illidge Sanctuary is a 96-ha bush retreat with walking tracks and barbecue facilities which affords some insight into how the land hereabouts looked prior to the arrival of Europeans. It was bequeathed to the Victorian Conservation Trust by Mr Illidge to preserve the native flora and fauna, particularly the white goshawk and the potoroo. The latter is a now rare member of the kangaroo family which is smaller than a rabbit. It was also the first animal that Captain Cook saw when he stepped ashore at Botany Bay.

To get there head south out of town on the Cobden-Terang Road. After 6 km it is necessary to turn left to continue on to Cobden. Ignore this turnoff and continue on straight ahead for a further 12 km then turn right onto the Warrnambool Road. About 7 km along this road there is a signposted turnoff on the left to the Sanctuary. It is open weekends and public holidays from 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Admission is by donation.

	Motels
	Dalvue Motel Princes Hwy Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1566 Rating: ***
	Terang Motor Inn Princes Hwy Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1260 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Bowmans Hotel Lyons St Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1025
	Commercial Hotel High St Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1053
	Terang Hotel High St Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1291 Facsimile: (03) 5592 1388
	Wheatsheaf Hotel 96 High St Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1081
	Cottages & Cabins
	Red Rattler Train Carriage Cottage Pontings Rd Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 5246 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Apex Caravan Park Princes Hwy Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1687 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Terang Hotel Chinese Restaurant High St Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1899
	Terang Motor Inn Princes Hwy Terang VIC 3264 Telephone: (03) 5592 1260