STRATFORD Stratford is the next town encounted when traveling east, after the big ‘city’ of Sale. Stratford is delightfully sited on the River Avon. So we have ‘Stratford on Avon’ is the colloquial terminology. Great isn’t it. Stratford though is a heritage town, and has some nice attributes. Stratford's principal industries are dairying, sheep, cattle and horse breeding and vegetable crops. The origin of the town's name is unclear. Many believe it derives from Stratford-on-Avon from England, William Shakespeare's home town, a view which is lent credence by the fact that it is located by the river Avon. Locals have embraced the connection with Shakespeare and a Shakespeare on the River Festival has been a successful annual event since 1989, incorporating works of Shakespeare and modern Australian plays. With the 1860s gold rush to the Omeo and Dargo goldfields, the town of Stratford prospered. Historic buildings include the RSL Hall (1866), the Church of Holy Trinity (1868), the Methodist Church (1873), and the Post Office (1884). The Stratford Museum is open most hours and is a good reference point. Stratford now only has just the single hotel. The Stratford War Memorial is situated within the Memorial Gardens. Stratford is a really nice community minded town, and when travelling Highway One in this district Stratford will be passed through.