BRUTHEN Bruthen is a very small town encounted when traveling the hgy to Omeo or the Lakes Entrance by-pass. Bruthen is an intersection town. Bruthen has some quite nice aspects but is not necessary for the traveller to make the diversion. Bruthen is an Aboriginal word from the Brabiralong people of the local tribe meaning ‘long wooden point’. Alfred Howitt claimed the proper name for the area around Bruthen was Murloo, meaning ‘pipeclay’. The Post Office opened on 15 January 1862 and the first school opened in 1872. On 27 November, 1958 an RAAF jet crashed on the outskirts of Bruthen, narrowly missing the populated area of town. When his engine ‘flamed out’ the pilot ejected at 500ft, suffering only minor injuries, and became the first person to safely eject from an aero plane in Australia. One of the new local features is the Bullant Brewery which offers meals and a variety of locally brewed Victorian beers. The Bruthen Anglican Church is approaching 100 years old. The Bruthen War Memorial is on the Eastern approach to the township. The Bruthen Hotel is an old classic that has a great presence on the Western approach. The Bullant Brewery may be a good reason to visit after all. Heritage diary