DIMBOOLA Dimboola is the next town encounted when travelling the Great Western Hgy. Dimboola lies at the heart of the wheat belt in Victoria. Dimboola is now a by-pass town that has knocked the commercial centre for six. That said Dimboola has lots of character, heritage is clearly important and is a must visit centre. Dimboola was previously known as 'Nine Creeks’. Following a survey conducted in late 1862 by contractor Frederick Smith of Ararat, a plan for a township in the County of Dimboola was proposed. It was first recognized as being a township when mentioned in the April 1863 edition of the 'Government Gazette". Before the arrival of white men into the district, the Aborigines called the area Watchegatcheca which had the meaning 'Wattle Tree and White Cockatoos'. The name 'Dimboola' has generally been accepted to have come from the Ceylonese ~Dimbula meaning 'Land of Figs'. Dimboola's economy is predominantly rural with wheat and other grown crops predominating Distinguished Australian-British physicist Richard Dalitz was born in Dimboola but recognition of this was not noted. The fate of the Dimboola Hotel remains a mystery for the locals. The Victoria Hotel trades. Both hotels are over 100 years old. The Dimboola Print Museum is on a side street. Other artefacts and murals are lwithin the town. All denominations are represented in Dimboola. All are century plus buildings with lots of classic lines. The Dimboola War Memorial is located at the High School. The High School is remote from the town and directions will be required. Although a diversion is required, be sure to take the time to visit Dimboola. Heritage diary