Barkly, Victoria

Barkly is a locality in Victoria, Australia, about 180 kilometres (110 mi) northwest of Melbourne.[2] It is near the intersection of the road from Landsborough to Redbank, and the road from Frenchmans to St Arnaud. It is close to the west boundary of the St Arnaud Range National Park. It is located in the Pyrenees Shire. At the 2016 census Barkly had a population of 43.[1]

Barkly
Victoria
Anglican church, Barkly
Barkly is located in Pyrenees Shire
Barkly
Barkly
Coordinates36°56′0″S 143°12′0″E
Population43 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3381
Elevation270 m (886 ft)
Location180 km (112 mi) NW of Melbourne
LGA(s)Pyrenees Shire
State electorate(s)Ripon
Federal division(s)Mallee

The area was first called the Navarre Diggings when gold was discovered there in June 1859 by a group led by James Law (1827-1910).[3][4] It was about 6 miles (10 km) from the Navarre township. There was an immediate goldrush and there were soon about 700 people on the diggings. At the peak of the rush, there were over 6000 people in the area digging for gold.[3]

James Law, who had come to Australia from Scotland, received a reward of 150 pounds for finding gold. Other members of his group, John Fewster, W.R. Marshall and George Mill also were rewarded.[3]

The name was changed to Barkly on 1 November 1861, after the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly.[3] Navarre Rush Post Office opened on 1 June 1861, was renamed Barkly in November 1861 and closed in 1981.[5]

A school was started, the Barkly Common School.

A cemetery, now called the Pioneer Cemetery was established close to the original diggings. The town of Barkly developed about two miles from this area, and a new cemetery was begun.

Barkly has a small Anglican church, a hall, and a few scattered houses. The school has been closed and the buildings removed. There is a rose and lavender farm which is open to the public at various times during the year. A headstone was placed on James Law's grave on 5 May 1985.[3] In 1996 a memorial stone was placed at the site of the first gold discovery.[3]

  • Old gold diggings at Barkly
    Old gold diggings at Barkly
  • James Law's grave in the Barkly Cemetery
    James Law's grave in the Barkly Cemetery
  • Old cottage at Barkly
    Old cottage at Barkly

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Barkly (Vic) (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  2. "Map of Barkly in Victoria". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  3. Driscoll, Eulalie (November 1996). "James Law, discoverer of gold at Barkly". Avoca and District Historical Society Newsletter No 143. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  4. "James Law - Monument Australia". monumentaustralia.org.au. 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  5. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 21 May 2012.

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