Koondrook - Victoria

Out for another drive today, headed south to Kerang & then to Koondrook border town 

with Barham (NSW)

The Koondrook Barham Redgum Statue river walk is an initiative of the local redgum industry & commenced in November 2002 

"The Wedge-tailed Eagle"
is the largest raptor in Australia is the most common of all the world's large eagles

"WEDGIE"

Koondrook hotel

In years gone by Koondrook had a light rail running from Kerang

 

Koondrook Memorial hall

"Arthur Molin 1907 - 1993"
Arthur Molin was born in England & migrated to Australia in 1912, he moved to the north in 1935
taking over the petrol station & mechanical business 1936.  Arthur worked 7 days a week, all hours

"Nurse Eliazbeth Rosen 1882 - 1943"
Nurse Rosen established the "Carnarvon" private hospital in Koondrook where she attended many
patients & delivered more than 1000 babies

"Australian Pelican"
The Australian pelican is found throughout Australia in freshwater, estuarine & marine wetlands
& waterways. The pelican is common in the local area

Mighty Murray river

 

 

"Alexander Arbuthnot 1850 - 1914"
Alexander was the founder of the Arbuthnot sawmill in late 1800's.
The Arbuthnot sawmill continues to operate on the original sawmill site

 

Sawmill

 

 

"John Powell 1938 - 1990"
John Powell tragically died in a tree felling accident in the Koondrook state forest.
John was a man of many great qualities, who loved his family, life, sport & a good yarn
The life of a tree feller when on the job is a lonely one, & when John's body was found he had only his loyal dogs for company

 

"Paddle Steamer Captain"
Paddle steamer captains worked long hours & had enormous knowledge of the Murray river
For many years Koondrook & Barham were important trading stops on the river boat journeys

 

"Murray Cod"
The Murray cod is renowned as one of Australia's largest freshwater fish.
Murray cod are found in many rivers & creeks in Murray lakes & rivers region

Picnic anyone!!!!!

"Laughing Kookaburra"
The Kookaburra is found throughout eastern Australia.  Its chuckling voice is a familiar sound around the redgum forests of this region
The loud "koo koo koo kaa kaa kaa" is often sung in a chorus with other individuals

"Sir John Gorton 1911 - 2002"
Sir John Gorton completed university studies in Oxford but instead of pursuing a career in journalism as intended, he returned to Kangaroo lake, north of Kerang, with wife Bettina & took over his father's orchard

 

Old railway shed

 

Log Buggy

 

 

 

"Eastern Grey Kangaroo"
Eastern grey kangaroos are found in eastern parts of Australia & Tasmania

 

Stuart Appleby (Australian golfer)
Stuart Appleby was born in Cohuna in 1971.
He resided on a dairy farm where he used to hit golf balls from paddock to paddock as part of his practice regime

Koondrook/Barham lift bridge

"Herbert Keck 1858 - 1937"
Herbert Keck purchased land from the owners of Barham Station in 1911 & become the first citrus grower
in the Barham area

"Pioneer Woman"
Pioneering women raised families. cleared land, built fences, tended stock, sowed crops & faced many of the dangers of living on the land alone.  They endured basic living conditions in uncomfortable huts distanced from other women by hundreds of kilometres.  To survive the tough conditions the pioneer woman needed to be tough, resilient, resourceful & very capable

"Sir John Monash 1865 - 1931"
Sir John Monash was the chief engineer of the Koondrook/Barham bridge.
The bridge was officially opened in 1904