Skipton Identities 

 

 Small regional communities such as Skipton in Victoria, are dependent on the support of the local people, their trust and networking, to provide an environment that has benefits and well being for all. Residents contribute hundreds of hours of voluntary work, local leadership and action. It is these contributions which create an extraordinary town spirit.

 

    In 2014 the town and its district celebrated its 175th birthday with programmed events happening throughout the year. It was a mighty voluntary effort that later was awarded an Australia Day Community Events Award.  

 

In celebration of the 175th year I produced this Skipton Identities calendar which shows photographs of some of the many people that have made Skipton the town it is today.  

 

Skipton History

 

 

Skipton was first established on the banks of the Mt Emu Creek,53 kilometres west of Ballarat, in 1839 as a pastoral run of 21,000 acres. 

 

The first building was a shepherds hut. The town was established to create an easy crossing of Mt Emu Creek, which later became the bridge that Cobb& Co. coaches used to reach the stables behind the Skipton Hotel. Skipton was the change station for the service connecting Ballarat with Hamilton. 

 

The name Skipton, or ‘Sheep town’ named after a town in Yorkshire England, was chosen because of its central point for the major sheep stations of the district.

 

In 1861 a census taken of the township recorded a total of 121 persons and 27 dwellings. Four years later the first Victorian Gazetteer claimed a population of 280 and today the town has approximately 480 residents.

 

The township of Skipton was first surveyed in 1852 by Thomas Watson who set out twenty ½ acre lots for sale, with prices ranging from 8 pounds 5 shillings to 40 pounds per lot.

 

For at least a generation Skipton was the main centre of the pure wool industry and an important area for the improvement of merino sheep breeding. 1859 saw Skipton, Western District Pastoral and the Agricultural Society hold its first show, which later became the leading event in Australia among sheep breeders.

 

The area today is known for the continued development of fine wool merino sheep, but the balance of agricultural enterprises is moving away from livestock to cropping. The surrounding landscape is influenced by early volcanic activity with rolling hills and wide open plains.

 

Reference: Hugh Anderson The Flowers of the Field: A History of Ripon Shire. Published 1969, Hill of Content Publishing Co. Pty Ltd, Melbourne