History of Poowong
- First Established in the 1870's, located eight kilometres north-west of Korumburra and 93km from Melbourne is the dairying town of Poowong.
- The word 'poowong' is probably from an Aboriginal term thought to mean 'carrion' or 'putrefaction'.
- The first European settlers arrived in the area and spent their early years clearing the vast Gippsland forests.
- Political journalist, Wilfred Burchett, the first western journalist to visit Hiroshima after the dropping of the atomic bomb in 1945, was born into one of the town's pioneering families.
- The Post Office opened around January 1878
The Town Today
- Poowong is a small village surrounded on all sides by dairy farms and lush countryside.
- The township radiates pleasant country hospitality and a rich history that can be viewed as you wander through town past the historic Pioneer Chapel and cemetery.
- For a town of its size, Poowong is quite well off with regard to its facilities. Facilities include four tennis courts, two netball courts, an indoor basketball stadium, a primary school, large community hall, heated swimming pool, a number of churches and an Aussie Rules football oval.
*Information on history and the town today was gathered from www.smh.com.au/news/Victoria/Poowong/ and Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia.
Town Facilities
* Internet *
Poowong Library - 18 Ranceby Road
........ Thurs 3.45-5.45
........ Fri 11-12.30 and 1.30-4.30
* Supermarket/General Store *
IGA Supermarket - Main Street
Quick facts
- Approximately 93 kilometres south-east of Melbourne
Activities and attractions
- Poowong Pioneer Chapel
- Sculpture Park.
- Historic cemetery
How to get there
Poowong is approx 93 km drive from Melbourne along the South Gippsland Highway.