Soldier Settlement in the district
Three large district estates - Merriang, Barwidgee
and Happy Valley- were acquired by the Closer Settlements Board of Victoria in
1919-20 with the dual purposes of sub-dividing to develop agriculture and provide
farming opportunities for returnees from World War 1. These farms were predominantly dairying
ventures within a 5 to 30 km radius of the town and were funded by short term
loans for stock and amenities and 21 year loans for the property itself. Only one third of the returnees were
successful due to financial difficulties, falling dairy prices, prevalence of
pests and noxious weeds and a lack of a viable acreage. Several holdings wound up being allotted to
neighbouring settlers after the farms were relinquished.
WW1 Post Card
This is an example of the broad collection of postcards from World War 1 and 2 housed by the Historical Society. Some letters or excerpts of letters are also held.
Cattle Sale, Barwidgee, c 1919
Cattle sale at Barwidgee Homestead in about 1919, when the property was sub-divided for Soldier Settlement, following WW1.