Summary

A gold-plated medal issued by the Shire of Arapiles and the town of Natimuk to commemorate the sesquicentenary of Victoria in 1984-5. It features a view of Mount Arapiles and the sesquicentenary logo. The Shire of Arapiles, north-west of Melbourne, was formed in 1888. The town of Natimuk, at the base of Mount Arapiles, showed a distinct Lutheran influence as a result of South Australian Lutheran settlers in the 1870s who took up broad acres in the area. In 1995 the Shire of Arapiles became part of the new Horsham Rural City Council.

Obverse Description

Within a wide rim formed by a line circle, a rural scene with Mt. Arapiles in the background; around, SHIRE OF ARAPILES . NATIMUK .

Reverse Description

Logo of the Victorian sesquicentenary; below, VICTORIA 150 / GROWING TOGETHER 1984-5 at rim in small letters the mint name, BRIM MELB

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Natimuk is a small town in the Wimmera. In 2003 it has less than 500 residents. However, nearby Mount Arapiles draws many visitors to the area. The name Natimuk derives from the Aboriginal word thought to mean 'little lake', probably a reference to the lake to the north of the town.

The first white settlers in the area were the Wilson Brothers, who established large sheep runs in the area in 1844. The following year a Major Firebrace took over the lease of one station, Vectis. Burke and Wills agisted their camels at Vectis during their ill-fated expedition across Australia. In 1860 the Wilsons bought back the lease, built a racecourse on the property and were instrumental in the founding of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club in 1875.

In the 1870s Lutherans fleeing religious persecution in Germany began to select land in the area. Settlers were required to take up residence or lose their land. Some large land-holders circumvented this requirement by building 'dummy' houses that made it appear that their land was occupied. In this way they were able to retain and extend their landholdings, arguing that they were in use by family members. One such house still exists, a hut built by David Mott.

Natimuk became an important rural centre before being overtaken by Horsham. - Walkaboutn Australian Travel Guide website http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/VINCatimuk.shtml. - D. Tout-Smith 24/9/2003.

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