Mowbray, Tasmania

Mowbray Launceston, Tasmania
Population:	3,243 (2006 census)[1]
Postcode:	7248
Area:	4.5 km² (1.7 sq mi)
Location:	3 km (2 mi) from Launceston
LGA:	City of Launceston
State District:	Bass
Federal Division:	Bass
Suburbs around Mowbray: Newnham Mayfield Rocherlea Tamar River Mowbray Ravenswood Invermay Invermay Ravenswood

Mowbray is a suburb of Launceston in the Australian state of Tasmania, it also contains the minor suburbs of Mowbray Heights and Vermont.

The name 'Vermont' (meaning 'green hills' in French) was given to the area of Mowbray in about 1823 by William Effingham Lawrence, a famous Tasmanian pioneer and colonist. William Effingham Lawrence had Convicts erect blue stone walls on the property which separated the land into paddocks, the stone was quarried from a nearby creek bed and from a small quarry a short distance away. The remains of this quarrying can still be seen in both places. Convicts were also used to drain the river flat paddocks which were subject to regular flooding as the property fronts on the North Esk River. Upon 'Vermont' he built a house for his son, Robert William Lawrence, who is recognised as Tasmania's first distinguished Botanist in 1826. The Lawrence family leased the property up until 1872 when it was purchased by a Mr. Henry William Douglas. After William Effingham Lawrence's death in 1841, Ronald Campbell Gunn, another famous Botanist, managed the land for the Lawrence family up until 1872. The currently standing 'Vermont Homestead' was built in 1870 using some materials from the earlier dwelling, but there is evidence to suggest there was structure in this same position as far back as 1819. The dairy, which still stands, could date back to Robert William Lawrence's time.

In the late 1840s, 'Vermont Homestead', at the time being leased by John Ramsdale, was held up by the Bushranger James Britton and his gang. He was said to have died at Leven 15 years before this event. The occupants of the house were bound by the wrists and made to stay in the front room of the house. A visiting farmer, John Lamont of the near by 'Braemar' farm (Circa. 1825), was caught up in the hold up whilst visiting the family to play for them the bagpipes. He managed to untie himself and secure a hammer, but the Bushrangers left before he could make use of it.

In 1879, Convict, turned Farmer, Land Owner and well known Draught Horse breeder William Luck purchased the property. At the time William Luck purchased 'Vermont' the property spanned an estimated 370 acres (1.5 km²) and comprised a homestead, dairy (still standing), 2 workmen's cottages, several large barns, large stables, a chaff making shed, outhouse, pig sheds and an orchard. Today the property is no longer owned by the Luck family as it was sold off into separate lots when William Luck's last son Nonus Clifford Luck died in the mid 1980s. The homestead has had three owners since this and is now undergoing restoration by those currently in possession of the house. The homestead still stands today in Bill Grove, Mowbray and is slowly being recognised for its historical importance and iconic agricultural values.

Currently, about 150 Acres of the original farm of 'Vermont' still exist relatively untouched. This mainly consists of the hillside paddocks and all of the river flats. The historic land is currently under threat to housing development and a proposed 'Eastern Bypass', a heavy vehicle highway.

Features

Education

• Launceston Church Grammar School
• Mowbray Heights Primary School

Entertainment

• Blockbusters

Food

• Pizza Hut
• Domino's Pizza
• Subway (restaurant)
• KFC
• Hungry Jack's
• Other various food shops.

Recreational

• Mowbray Golf Course
• Tasman Park (Horse and Greyhound Racetrack)
• Jetts 24 hour Fitness Centre(Gym)
• Gamer Haven (Game and Internet Cafe)

Shopping

• Mowbray Market Place (Woolworths, Bakers Delight, Australia Post, Marketplace News & Lotto, Bertie the Butcher, Homeart, NU2U Hair Salon, Millers, Wills Mobile Phones and Bakers Dozen)
• Chickenfeed
• Asian Products (Asian grocery supermarket)
• Korena Mart (Asian grocery supermarket)

Pubs

• Mowbray Hotel (including Tote and BWS bottle shop)
• Liquor Stax Bottle Shop

References

1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Mowbray (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=SSC62046&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2009-01-08. 

External links

• Mowbray, Tasmania is at coordinates 41°24′32″S 147°08′35″E / 41.409°S 147.143°E / -41.409; 147.143Coordinates: 41°24′32″S 147°08′35″E / 41.409°S 147.143°E / -41.409; 147.143
• http://www.mowbraygolfclub.com/
• http://www.lcgs.tas.edu.au/
• http://www.tasmanianturfclub.com/