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