Colac - a brief history

The name Colac probably derives from the local aboriginal tribe that lived in the area called the Coladjin Aborigines.

Europeans first came to area in the late 1830s, One of the first was Hugh Murray who headed west from Geelong to find farming land with Thomas Austin in 1837. Austin set up a farm at the area now know as Winchelsea while Murray set up farm on the banks of Lake Colac.

In subsequent years several other farmers came to the area and by 1845 a town had developed with a hotel blacksmiths and general store.

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Birregurra, which is situated 18 km east on the Barwon River, is a small rural town with several historic buildings. It is very popular destination for visitors to the region.

By the 1850s the township was striving forward, several allotments of land had been subdivided and a school, court, butchers and brickworks all added to the list of Colac's amenities. By the mid 1860s the town had grown to a shire and by the late 1870s Colac had a local newspaper a hospital and the Railway line had reached the town to serve the nearly 400 properties of the town.

Today Colac boasts a population of nearly 10000 people and in recent years has benefited by a rejuvenation of the town. With a new performing arts centre and cinema and several new trendy cafes filling the shops that were once deserted in the 1980s the town looks to have a great future ahead.

By the 1850s the township was striving forward, several allotments of land had been subdivided and a school, court, butchers and brickworks all added to the list of Colac's amenities. By the mid 1860s the town had grown to a shire and by the late 1870s Colac had a local newspaper a hospital and the Railway line had reached the town to serve the nearly 400 properties of the town.

Today Colac boasts a population of nearly 10000 people and in recent years has benefited by a rejuvenation of the town. With a new performing arts centre and cinema and several new trendy cafes filling the shops that were once deserted in the 1980s the town looks to have a great future ahead.