 
About Mildura |
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Mildura -
the centre
of three states |
Mildura is located in North West Victoria and is situated just a few minutes walk (or drive) across Chaffey Bridge which spans the Murray River, to New South Wales, and about 120km east of the South Australian border.
As you can see we are at the crossroads of most states. Many people travelling east-west across our vast nation, to or from Sydney, Adelaide or Perth, or travelling north-south between Melbourne, Alice Springs or Darwin will stop to view our beautiful city and surrounding districts. We are the hub, the oasis that services some 45,000 people for many miles around. Our area is a major tourist destination.
The vision.
In 1847 Hugh Jamieson on behalf of William Stawell took up an area of 150,000 acres known as Yerre Yerre. It was combined with the Irymple Run of 28,160 acres and in 1858 the runs were re-named Mildura. In 1886 George Chaffey chose the Mildura run as a suitable site for an irrigation colony.
On 31 May 1887 the Chaffey Brothers (George & William) signed their second agreement for the land, and took possession of 250,000 acres the following August, upon which they agreed to establish an irrigation settlement. And establish it they did.
The years ahead saw hardships that, we today, as we look out across the green, fertile blocks, can only begin to image. These pioneers moved ahead despite all they faced; the rabbit plagues, the lack of facilities, against the influx of settlers that taxed the resources, slow arrival of supplies by bullock dray, not to mention the hot climate and the dry landscape, lack of ready made accommodation (!) and undercurrent of differing options.
Their service was invaluable but like many today their operations were subject to the whims of nature - high river enables the river to be navigated, but a low river restricted or completed halted the movement of these great vessels.
But the vision was there and the men and women of those early days forged ahead. Out of their discomfort, pain, heartache and persistent labour came victory - the foundation of our beautiful city and her surrounding district.
Today they can be seen in all their splendour and locals continue to insure they are still "well oiled" machines.
Paddlesteamers travelled their way along the Murray River bringing people and supplies and by doing so wound their way into the history of this area. Like many elements of our lives here today, just as then, they travelled at the demand of nature - a high river meant passage through but likewise a low river rendered the river impassable by these great vessels.
Big Lizzie came into the district in 1918 to assist with clearing the Mallee scrub ready for soldier settlement.
Mildura has become one of Australia’s major horticultural regions producing grapes (dried, table and wine), citrus, avocados, olives, apricots, peaches, almonds and vegetables. It is surrounded by dryland farming including cattle, sheep, wheat and barley.
Mallee (Eucalyptus sp.) scrub, Belah (Casurina sp.) and Native Pine (Callitris sp.) are the dominant vegetation types in the area, with Black Box and River Red Gums (Eucalyptus sp.) found on the flood plain of the Murray River.
In more recent years has come another vision and once again with much sweat and hard work has emerged- the inland botanical gardens.
Our city has grown and flourished as our pioneers looked to the future and now we looked to them in appreciation for what they have done and out of the past comes the many stories of who these people were; our lives are all interwoven in many ways.
And so it is that the Mildura and District Genealogical Society works to help us find links with those of the bygone eras whether in this area or further flung fields.
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