STAWELL
Stawell is the next town encounted
when traveling the Western Hgy between Adelaide and Melbourne. Stawell
is a very progressive and not quite a small town, but is delightfully
balanced with care for history and personal quality of life. The beaut
thing about Stawell is that it is a recognised tourist town.
Consequently there is a buzz about the place.  _small.JPG) 
Stawell was first settled during the gold rush of 1853
and was named Pleasant Creek, but was later renamed to honour Sir
William Foster Stawell (1815–89), the Chief Justice of Victoria. The
town was created a borough in 1869. Stawell's historical association
with gold-mining continued when full-scale mining recommenced in 1981.
The Stawell Gift is run each Easter long weekend by
the Stawell Athletic Club, Stawell also has many other sporting
outlets and teams but the Stawell Gift is the signature event for the
town. In athletics terms and from a professional running race the
Stawell Gift is even from an international perspective very famous.    
Stawell is also the commercial hub for the rich rural,
wine experience. But Stawell has a number of other attractions, not
the least the proximity to Halls Gap and the Grampians.
The Stawell Churches are cathedral
in stature.  
The Catholic particularly so. 
Stawell has three remaining hotels. The down town Town
Hall Hotel
is a 100 year plus building. The Railway likewise is an old hotel._small1.JPG) 
The Stawell War Memorial is located on the southern
fringe of the cbd. A worthy acknowledgement it is.
The old court house is worthy of a mention. This is a
really great monument to Stawell’s history.
Stawell is a great place to visit. Up to a week if
the timing is right for the 'gift'.
Heritage diary 
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