CRESWICK
Creswick is another
of the small towns in this region that had its birth during the gold
rush period and the population reached a peak of
25,000 during the gold this period. Today, local industries include
forestry, grazing and agriculture. Creswick is an old town but
has a modern feel. Creswick is increasingly becoming a commute town to
the much larger Ballarat and quite rightly is a lifestyle choice to
live.
The first pioneer white settlers were Henry, Charles
and John Creswick, three brothers who started a large sheep station in
1842 and the town name was born from this early origin.
Creswick was the site of a mining disaster on 12
December 1882 and was in fact at the time Australia's worst mining
disaster in which 22 men drowned.
The original School of Forestry was established in
1910 by the Department of Forestry. It was the first institution set
up in Victoria to train and accredit young foresters. Now the campus
is part of Melbourne University.
Creswick is the birthplace of the Lindsay’s, perhaps
Australia's best known art family and other famous Creswickians
include John Curtin (prime minister) and Alexander Peacock (premier).
Creswick has quite a number heritage buildings.       
All of the main church denominations are in great
bluestone buildings. All of the churches look to be over 100 years
old. but are undated.    
There are two trading pubs in Creswick,
and this one which awaits its fate.
The Creswick War Memorial is acknowledged at two
locations. One at the RSL
and the other at the western fringe of the cbd.
The Creswick Museum is located within the old town
Hall building.
Creswick is a very attractive town and has a busy feel
about it so an overnight is recommended to get the best out this great
place.
Heritage diary
 |