Back in 1867, a coaching station popped up at Brandy Creek. This spot is about 7 kilometers from where we are now in Drouin East.
Drouin East is a town with a story. Its name might come from an Aboriginal word for “north wind.”
Drouin East started growing after the railway arrived. The Gippsland railway line was built between 1877 and 1879. This line connected Melbourne and Gippsland. Work camps were set up and one of them was near Drouin.
In 1878, a township was surveyed at Drouin Junction, now Drouin East. Brandy Creek then started to decline. The Buln Buln Shire formed in 1878 and its administrative center was placed right here in Drouin East.
Sawmills used to buzz around Drouin. From the 1880s, small sawmills used tramways to get timber to the Drouin railway station. A quarry opened southeast of Drouin in the 1890s.
Dairy farming became important as land cleared. A cooperative butter factory opened in Drouin East in 1904. This factory even powered Drouin East’s first streetlights in 1907.
The Drouin butter factory grew over the years. It made butter, cheese, and other dairy products. Fonterra eventually took it over but then closed it. This closure meant Drouin East lost its biggest employer.
During the World Wars, flax was grown around Drouin East. The government even built a factory in 1941 to make canvas goods.
Drouin East began expanding quickly in 2010. Land was rezoned for housing. Melbourne’s population was growing and the development Jackson’s View Estate was established.
Alan Jackson, a Drouin native, led this development. Between 2010 and 2020, over 450 blocks were sold.
In 1904, Drouin East had only 700 people. By 1970, it had grown to 2,750. Industrial areas and housing subdivisions encouraged growth.
The Princes Freeway was built which bypassed Drouin East. It allowed the shopping center to be remodelled.
Drouin East is known for its Ficifolia Festival. The flowering gum trees which occur throughout the town give reason to celebrate. The town gathers to watch local schools and businesses.
Drouin East has an Australian rules football team. There is also a soccer team called the Drouin Dragons Soccer Club.
The Drouin Picnic Racing Club holds two race meetings a year. One of them is the Drouin Cup on Boxing Day. Golfers can enjoy the Drouin Golf and Country Club. Since 1989, Drouin East has been sister cities with Barrhead, Alberta, Canada.
Drouin East has several retail stores. These include Woolworths and Coles supermarkets.
Several local businesses have relocated. They moved because of a new retail shopping complex being constructed.
Drouin East is served by local newspapers. These include the Warragul and Drouin Gazette. West Gippsland Community Radio is based in Drouin East.
Many notable people have lived in Drouin East. These include arts executive Jean Battersby. Businessman Alan Jackson also lived here. Boxer Lionel Rose was also from near Drouin East. Singer Lisa Gerrard resides in Drouin. Drouin East has transformed from a small settlement to a growing community.