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. 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. 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