102 Warragul Continues to grow

Warragul

Continues To Grow WORDS & PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL

Warragul is 102 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. The town lies between the Strzelecki Ranges to the south and the Mount Baw Baw Plateau of the Great Dividing Range to the north. The town has a population over 18,000 people.

Warragul is the main population and service centre of the West Gippsland region and the Shire of Baw Baw. The surrounding area is noted for dairy farming and other niche agriculture and has long been producing gourmet foods.

In November 1873, The Victorian Parliament passed an Act approving the construction of a railway linking Oakleigh to Sale. The construction of the Gippsland Railway line began simultaneously from both directions.

The Warragul Railway Station opened on March 1, 1878.

Warragul contiues to grow

Warragul’s Petersville Milk Products Factory in Queen street supplied the famous Peters Ice Cream brand’s factory in Mulgrave with all the dairy raw material (fresh cream and concentrated skim milk) for 35 years.

Warragul was voted Premier Town in Victoria between 1970 and 1973.

These days Warragul is a bustling town with some lovely heritage buildings, the beautiful Civic Park, the West Gippsland Arts Centre, a walking/cycling track that links the towns of Drouin and Warragul and has strong sporting venues for Harness Racing and Greyhound Racing, local football and netball clubs, cricket, golf, lawn bowls etc.