District History
The area was originally inhabited by the Wurundjeri people, as part of a tract of land in North East Victoria that they roamed over, following the food chain and reliable water supplies. The Broken River area, as it was later known by the early settlers, was inhabited by the Pangurang (sometimes spelt Bangerang or Bangurang) and the Taoungurong (sometimes spelt Taungurong) tribes.
In late 1824 the area was explored by Hume and Hovell. Following this initial exploration the squatters moved in, followed soon after by Government officials.
In order to understand the task that the Europeans faced, you need to understand that there were no roads, and the only permanent landmarks available were hills, mountains and rivers. Simple tracks were developed, which were routed around deep creek and river beds and steep hills and mountains. These tracks also followed routes past reliable water supplies. Swanpool and the surrounding districts are known for the natural springs that abound in the area. The initial tracks became roads with common use. All land travel in the early days of settlement was by horse, or horse drawn vehicle, donkey, bullock wagon, or on foot.
The districts of Swanpool, Samaria, Lima, Lima East, Lima South and Moorngag were all once part of the Lima Station which was subject to a pastoral lease taken out by Mr. William McKellar. The property was occupied from May 1839 and comprised an area of 88,000 acres (35,628 hectares) as assessed by an independent surveyor in 1847. The leases were eventually revoked and the land was surveyed into smaller parcels of land in 1855, and later came under what was known as the Duffy Act in 1865. The land was listed for selection, with William McKellar purchasing much of the land at auction to maintain his pastoral enterprise. William McKellar was one of the very few squatters in the district who purchased land and remained on a large portion of the originally leased area. William McKellar died in January 1893 and is buried in the Benalla Cemetery.
The township of Swanpool developed as a stop on the main road between rail facilities at Benalla and Mansfield. Originally the district was known as the Broken River area. The first mention that we find of Samaria, Lima and Swan Pool (two words) is on a map drawn of the Lima Station in 1847. Moorngag first appeared on maps in around 1855 when the area was formally surveyed into smaller parcels of land.
Parish plans were drawn and updated as the land was either sold or leased. Large areas of common lands were gazetted with some later being subdivided to meet the demand for smaller farm size blocks. With the new settlers came schools, churches and public facilities. Commercial operations came later with butter factories, sawmills, quarries, shops and post offices. The recently completed Heritage Murals at Swanpool depict some of the early commercial operations in the area.
The community focus for the area was Swanpool, as it was located on the main road between Benalla and Mansfield. Delivery runs of mail, bread and other supplies emanated out of Swanpool to the surrounding valleys.
Schools were a high priority for the new settlers with many being built in the area. Samaria had no less than four schools gazetted for the area. All, except for Swanpool, have now passed into history. The commercial operations that now exist are contained within the township of Swanpool. Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, quarrying, and tourism are the main business operations in the district.
In late 1824 the area was explored by Hume and Hovell. Following this initial exploration the squatters moved in, followed soon after by Government officials.
In order to understand the task that the Europeans faced, you need to understand that there were no roads, and the only permanent landmarks available were hills, mountains and rivers. Simple tracks were developed, which were routed around deep creek and river beds and steep hills and mountains. These tracks also followed routes past reliable water supplies. Swanpool and the surrounding districts are known for the natural springs that abound in the area. The initial tracks became roads with common use. All land travel in the early days of settlement was by horse, or horse drawn vehicle, donkey, bullock wagon, or on foot.
The districts of Swanpool, Samaria, Lima, Lima East, Lima South and Moorngag were all once part of the Lima Station which was subject to a pastoral lease taken out by Mr. William McKellar. The property was occupied from May 1839 and comprised an area of 88,000 acres (35,628 hectares) as assessed by an independent surveyor in 1847. The leases were eventually revoked and the land was surveyed into smaller parcels of land in 1855, and later came under what was known as the Duffy Act in 1865. The land was listed for selection, with William McKellar purchasing much of the land at auction to maintain his pastoral enterprise. William McKellar was one of the very few squatters in the district who purchased land and remained on a large portion of the originally leased area. William McKellar died in January 1893 and is buried in the Benalla Cemetery.
The township of Swanpool developed as a stop on the main road between rail facilities at Benalla and Mansfield. Originally the district was known as the Broken River area. The first mention that we find of Samaria, Lima and Swan Pool (two words) is on a map drawn of the Lima Station in 1847. Moorngag first appeared on maps in around 1855 when the area was formally surveyed into smaller parcels of land.
Parish plans were drawn and updated as the land was either sold or leased. Large areas of common lands were gazetted with some later being subdivided to meet the demand for smaller farm size blocks. With the new settlers came schools, churches and public facilities. Commercial operations came later with butter factories, sawmills, quarries, shops and post offices. The recently completed Heritage Murals at Swanpool depict some of the early commercial operations in the area.
The community focus for the area was Swanpool, as it was located on the main road between Benalla and Mansfield. Delivery runs of mail, bread and other supplies emanated out of Swanpool to the surrounding valleys.
Schools were a high priority for the new settlers with many being built in the area. Samaria had no less than four schools gazetted for the area. All, except for Swanpool, have now passed into history. The commercial operations that now exist are contained within the township of Swanpool. Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, quarrying, and tourism are the main business operations in the district.