Inverleigh History

The Township of Inverleigh

Taken from the Geelong Advertiser, Wednesday 10th December, 1856:-

Some places in Victoria have sprung into existence so fast, that it may almost be said of them as it has been said of some persons, that one morning they suddenly found themselves famous. So it may be said of Inverleigh, a thriving township situated, it need scarcely be stated, as its name implies, at the junction of the Leigh River and the Barwon.

Leigh River

Two years ago scarce a house stood, not only on the township itself, but within a radius of many miles of the locality. Now the whole country is studded over with pleasant farms and residences of a very comfortable and thoroughly English appearance and aspect. The township itself has now its Post Office, two large stone hotels, such as would not disgrace any street in Geelong itself, two very good stores, houses of all shapes and sizes by the dozen, and its two worthy doctors, for whose sake the healthiness of the locality is much to be regretted; its schoolmaster, its postman, and a favourable indication of the morality of the place, only one policeman.

The bridge recently erected over the Leigh at Inverleigh, has not long been opened. It is an imposing structure, and one of the most substantial in the colony. It is constructed of timber resting on massive abutments of bluestone. The carriers on the road are now taking advantage of it, and consequently the amount of traffic upon the road, which the bridge connects has since more than doubled.

Inverleigh Bridge - click to enlarge

In the immediate neighbourhood of Inverleigh, is in course of erection, by Doctor Hope, M.L.C., an extensive watermill, which, when completed, will be one of the largest and most powerful in the colony. The watercourse is already cut running for nearly a mile along the Barwon. A better situation for a mill than this can hardly be imagined, and the advantages it will confer upon the farmers of the Barrabool Hill, Murgheboluc, the Native Creek, and the Leigh will be very great.

Having a schoolmaster, Inverleigh, of course has its school. About half a mile from the township, up the river, is the school-house of the district, under the Denominational Board. It is under the superintendence of Mr H. R. Rae, who, although one of the youngest, if not the youngest schoolmaster in the country, appears to be a general favourite in the locality, both with the children and parents. The school-house is a wooden building, "bricknogged" and plastered. It is rather small for the requirements of the place: upwards of forty children being in daily attendance. It is desirable and very probable that a "Church of England" be shortly erected at Inverleigh.

On the whole this township, from its proximity to two rivers, its excellent land and the abundance of wood in the locality, promises at no very distant day to be a place of some importance.

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