03/09/2026
Views in and around Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley, 1887.
1. The Agricultural College at Dookie.
2. Students engaged in pruning vines.
3. In the dairy at Dookie : The Laval separator at work.
4. Students at Dookie picking olives.
5. Students at Dookie starting out with their teams to plough or harrow.
6. The public buildings, Shepparton, including the post and telegraph offices, courthouse, sub-treasury, &c.
7. Bridge over the Goulburn River at Shepparton.
A rather lengthy article accompanies these images and is included below. There is additional text about Dookie as well. ~JM
In former days the site of the present flourishing township of Shepparton was simply a crossing place for diggers and teamsters employed in taking goods from Bendigo to the Oven's ; the district around being then a mere sheep walk. In 1873, selection began ; and soon there was a great influx of settlers. Now a large and prosperous population is distributed on the rich fertile lands of the famed Goulburn Valley, in the centre of which Shepparton is situated. In every direction, comfortable farms and homesteads are to be seen, there being an extensive area of land under cultivation. Large paddocks are devoted to crops of wheat, barley, and oats, the soil proving very favorable to the growth of cereals.
SHEPPARTON ITSELF is now a thickly settled town, built on the eastern bank of the Goulburn River, and is distant about one hundred and twenty miles due north from Melbourne, via the Goulburn Valley line of railway, which branches off from Seymour. The buildings are chiefly of a most substantial nature. A handsome pile of public buildings was erected about four years ago, involving an expenditure of nearly £9000. Here are to be found the post and telegraph offices, a comfortable residence for the postmaster, a sub-treasury and courthouse combined, a fine tower, 79ft in height, rendering it a prominent object from most portions of the town.
Twelve years ago there were only a dozen primitive buildings and a rustic punt with which the few residents and stock crossed the Goulburn River. Now, there is a substantial bridge uniting both sides, which was built about eight years ago, at a cost of £3000. But the traffic has increased to so large an extent that at times it barely suffices for the present requirements. Near here is to be seen the local rowing club's boatshed, in which some first-class outriggers are kept. There are also a few comfortable pleasure boats. The river, with its banks fringed with shady trees, must form a most enjoyable resort to many of the inhabitants during the hot summer months. But recently, since our visit to Shepparton, there has been too much water ; the shed and low lying flats being inundated by the late floods, which spread across country, covering the road to the neighboring township of Mooroopna, two miles distant. The greatest vigilance had to be exercised in order to avoid damage being done to the bridge by the huge logs of timber which were swept down by the rushing stream.
Shepparton possesses four flourishing branches of the Banks of Victoria, Australasia, Commercial, and National. The buildings are large substantial brick and stone structures. There are seven religious denominations, each with places of worship, there being the Episcopalian, where services are conducted by the Rev. Mr. Taylor ; the Roman Catholic, presided over by the Rev. Father O'Connor ; and also the Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Baptist, Methodist, and Special Baptist congregations, each of which possesses a building of its own. The state school is well built. But, although it has been enlarged, it is still too small to properly accommodate the large number of pupils in daily attendance. The Mechanics' Institute possesses a commodious reading-room, and well-stocked library of about 1000 volumes. Public entertainments are usually held in a large hall erected by a local company.
There are several stores in the town ; among them being the establishments of Johnson and Forge, Quiggin Bros., and Mr. Longstaff. In connection with the last named, it may be mentioned that the proprietor's accomplished son painted the now well-known and admirably-executed picture entitled "Breaking the News," which gained for him a travelling scholarship, so that he is about to quit his native land for a trip to the old world. He will doubtless return in a few years, with fresh laurels and an increased reputation. Carriage building, and the manufacture of agricultural implements, occupy the attention of several firms ; Furphy's foundry especially being on a large scale. Messrs. Ford and Son's flour mill also occupies a prominent site, near which is to be found Messrs. Bryant and Shiell's Brewery, started about eighteen months ago. At the present time an extensive trade is being carried on throughout the surrounding district. Then there is Darby Brothers' tonic beer factory, which is under the able management of Mr. Robertson, who has had much experience in the manufacture of cordials and aerated waters, and has introduced with much success, a new beverage, called tonic beer, for which the establishment has already gained a name.
There are nine hotels, all of which appear to be doing a roaring business. The chief establishment is the Victoria, which is leased by Mr. James Burbury, who was for some years a resident of Benalla. The Victoria Hotel is a spacious brick and cement building containing a large number of apartments. The sitting and dining rooms are spacious, and the ceilings are works of art, being beautifully painted in tasteful designs. There are two medicos, Dr. M'Kenna and Dr. Florance, both of whom would, however, probably be more satisfied were the district not such a healthy one. We must not forget to mention the botanic establishment of Messrs. James M'Lean and Sons, whose herbal compounds are much sought after from far and near. Mr. M'Lean, senior, has been identified with the town since its commencement, and has always taken much interest in local affairs. Local journalism is represented by the ADVERTISER and the NEWS, both of which appear to enjoy a good circulation throughout the district. The municipality is at present presided over by Mr. James Caldwell, J.P., of Tallygaroopna, an adjoining parish. A movement is now on foot to have the town reticulated with water from the Goulburn ; and when this work is accomplished, it is said that several additional manufactories will be started.
