Doesn’t the name Poowong just roll off the tongue? Poowong is more than just a name. It is a small dairying town located in South Gippsland, Victoria. Poowong offers a glimpse into Australia’s rural heartland.
Poowong is located 111 kilometres from Melbourne. It sits about eight kilometres north-west of Korumburra. The town exudes pleasant country hospitality. You will also find a rich history as you wander through it.
The first application for land in Poowong was in 1874. James Scott applied for 320 acres. On part of the Scott land, a store, pub and butcher’s shop were built. The Poowong Hotel was built by 1880. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in 1883.
The Poowong Post Office opened around January 1878. The first survey of township allotments took place in 1879.
The heavily timbered and hilly nature of the area was challenging. Selectors took years to clear enough land to make a living.
For a town of its size, Poowong has a number of facilities. You will find four tennis courts, and two netball courts here. There is also an indoor basketball and squash stadium. Poowong also has a primary school. A large community hall is available, as is an outdoor swimming pool. A number of churches are located here and there is also an Australian rules football oval.
The Poowong Magpies are Poowong’s Australian rules football team. They play in the Ellinbank & District Football League. The town also has a netball team.
The Poowong community is active. Many projects are undertaken by various community groups. The Poowong Football & Netball Club is the largest group. They involve themselves in sporting projects and projects helping the wider community. One such project was the ‘My Connected Community’ project. This was run with the Strzelecki Lions Club. It was designed to increase Internet use amongst community members.
The Melbourne rock band Root! released a song entitled “The Ballad Of The Poowong Magpies”. It appeared in their album Root Supposed He Was Out of the Question…
Several notable people hail from Poowong. These include Wilfred Burchett, a war correspondent. Also Albert Francis Ronalds, a prominent civil engineer, Don Watson, a writer and historian, and Rudi Mandemaker. Rudi was a full forward representing South Australia in interstate Australian Rules football. He also won the Mark of the Year in 1989. Jai Newcombe, AKA “The Poowong Punisher” is an AFL footballer for the Hawthorn Football Club.
Poowong is surrounded by dairy farms and lush countryside. The township radiates pleasant country hospitality. You can view its rich history as you wander through town. Take a look at the historic Pioneer Chapel and cemetery too.
So, as you explore Poowong, remember its humble beginnings. Remember the determined settlers and the vibrant community spirit that defines this South Gippsland gem. Poowong is more than just a stop on the map. It’s a place where history and community intertwine.