Mia Mia, Victoria

Mia Mia Victoria
Community Hall
Mia Mia
Population:	200 (est.)
Postcode:	3444
Location:	119 km (74 mi) NW of Melbourne 56 km (35 mi) SE of Bendigo 35 km (22 mi) NE of Kyneton 19 km (12 mi) SW of Heathcote
LGA:	City of Greater Bendigo
State District:	Rodney
Federal Division:	Bendigo

For other uses of "Mia Mia", see Mia Mia (disambiguation).

Mia Mia is a picturesque area of Central Victoria, Australia, 119 kilometres (74 mi) north of Melbourne and 56 kilometres (35 mi) south of Bendigo. It is largely an area of broadacre farms raising cattle and sheep. It is a part of the Heathcote wine region Wine District and a number of vineyards have been established in the area, most notably producing Shiraz grapes. Its local government areas are the City of Greater Bendigo and Shire of Mitchell, Mia Mia is part of the Federal Electorates of Bendigo and McEwen and it is in the state electorate of Rodney. It has an approximate population of 200.

History

The Post Office opened on 22 November 1861, closing in 1970. ^[1]

Mia Mia State School 952. A stone building erected on the current site at local expense was handed over to the Education Department on 15th January 1869 and school commenced later that year. Construction of a new school was commissioned in 1914 at a cost of two hundred and ninety seven pounds,twelve and six pence. In 1915 school began in the present building (now a private residence) which replaced the original building.

Mia Mia is notable for being the home of John Duigan and brother Reginald Duigan who built and flew the first Australian made aeroplane in 1910 on their property named Spring Plains. A monument to their endeavours was constructed out of local bluestone. The monument Other notable residents include Retired Supreme Court Justice The Hon. Howard Nathan and Chef Daniel Whelan older brother of Australian Actress and Model Nicky Whelan.

Burke and Wills

Main article: Burke and Wills expedition

The Burke and Wills expedition passed through Mia Mia in 1860 on their journey across Australia from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. They arrived on Saturday, 25 August 1860 and made Camp VI, (their sixth camp since leaving Melbourne). Sunday was taken as a rest day when the men caught up on chores and they left on Monday morning. The road from Lancefield to Mia Mia via Ben Loch and the Great Dividing Range is now called 'The Burke and Wills Track'.

Mia Mia’s western boundary is on the Campaspe River which is crossed by an iron bridge that is unusual in design and is quite memorable for those passing through. The bridge

References

1. ^ Premier Postal History, Post Office List, https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&country=, retrieved 2008-04-11 

External links

• Burke & Wills Web A comprehensive website containing many of the historical documents relating to the Burke & Wills Expedition.
• The Burke & Wills Historical Society The Burke & Wills Historical Society.

Coordinates: 37°00′S 144°34′E / 37°S 144.567°E / -37; 144.567