About Boolarra
Boolarra is a small township located on the traditional lands of the Brayakaulung tribe of the Gunaikurnai peoples in the Latrobe Valley, in central Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.
The name Boolarra is believed to be a Brayakaulung term meaning 'plentiful' or 'abundant'. Surrounded by farmland and bush, the town has a strong community spirit.
Located in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges, Boolarra is nestled at one end of the Grand Ridge Rail Trail. The old railway line, closed in 1974, has transformed into a bush walk from Boolarra to Mirboo North for walkers, cyclists & horse riders to enjoy. The Rail Trail is the centrepiece of the Boolarra township beginning on a flat stretch of track before climbing towards Mirboo North through 13 kilometres of temperate rainforest and dry sclerophyll forest. The trail navigates beautiful mountain countryside & several flora reserves & is ideal for spotting local wildlife (including the endangered Strzelecki Koala). The 'all abilities' accessible path surface is well maintained & made of compacted earth and fine gravel. Toilets, barbeques, picnic tables, drinking fountain, parking and Bike Repair Station are located at the Boolarra entrance. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders are all regular users of the trail.
Today
Boolarra has a friendly rural atmosphere, close to many natural attractions and places of interest. Recently there has been an influx of new residents, retirees and young families from the city. Farming is important to the area, as is timber which is harvested from plantation forests in the hills. Numerous sporting clubs use the recreational facilities of the Memorial Park, a modern school and kindergarten provide excellent educational facilities, and an historical society has converted the Old Boolarra School into a museum to preserve local heritage.
Shops, cafes & halls in Boolarra include the Boolarra Community Hotel, Boolarra Store (general store/cafe), Post Office & the Boolarra Memorial Hall - an excellent venue for performances & events (weddings, dances etc) with a commercial kitchen & proscenium stage. In 2007 Boolarra was awarded the Small Community of the Year award & each year holds many popular events including a community garage sale, community markets & an Open Garden Day. The highly popular & entertaining Boolarra Folk Festival (first held in 2003) is held in early March in Railway and Centenary Parks in Tarwin Street. In 2023, Boolarra Folk Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary on the 4th March. The free, whole-day festival is complemented by a large arts, craft and produce market.
To keep up to date with local news, the Boolarra Link is a volunteer community newspaper published quarterly in March, June, October and December.
History
Prior to colonisation, the Boolarra area was part of the traditional lands of the Gunaikurnai people, who have lived here & managed the land for over 60,000 years. The Gunaikurnai Nation has five different clan groups - Brataualung, Brabralung, Tatungalung, Krauatungalung & the Brayakaulung. The Brayakaulung people are the traditional custodians of the area surrounding Boolarra which stretches from around the current site of Sale, to Providence Ponds, Avon and Latrobe rivers west of Lake Wellington to Mounts Baw Baw and Howitt. The colonisation of Gippsland has a particularly brutal history - with numerous large scale massacres taking place from the 1800s onwards - more info and here. In spite of such devastation the Gunaikurnai nations have survived & continue to practice & pass on cultural knowledge & practices. More info here.
An early Eurpoean selector, W.H. Penaluna, arrived in Boolarra around 1878, claiming land along the Morwell River and erecting the Settlers' Arms Hotel - which still stands today. Land was quickly occupied when a railway line was built in 1884‑5, connecting Mirboo North, Boolarra and Yinnar to Morwell, on the main Melbourne‑Sale line. The original railway branch line from Morwell to Boolarra, was opened on 10 April 1885, with the last train being run on 22 June 1974. The railway was constructed through difficult hilly terrain requiring construction of massive embankments and numerous bridges.
The hill country south and east of the Morwell River was opened up and a series of small communities began to flourish as goods and services flowed to and from Boolarra, which was the commercial and agricultural centre of the district.
Initially, the early settlers depended on timber and mixed farming for their livelihood. Blackwood for furniture and palings, cut from the surrounding forests, was freighted to Melbourne. Butter, salted and packed on the farm, was also sent to the city. In 1905, the Danish firm Heyman set up a butter factory in Boolarra, and dairying became the main industry of the district. At that time, Boolarra's population rivalled that of Morwell.
At its peak, Boolarra supported three general stores, three hotels and four churches, along with two butchers, two bakers and three confectionery shops. Horses were harnessed and shod by two blacksmiths and the butter factory provided the bulk of employment for the town's youth. At one stage, a black coal and bauxite mine triggered an investment flow into the town. The Post Office opened on 1 September 1884 prior to the railway arriving in 1885.Sadly, in 1937, a large fire raged through Tarwin Street, destroying many of the original shop fronts.
After World War II, residents banded together to create a Memorial Park, with the names of the town's fallen soldiers inscribed on its gates. Artworks both inside and outside the hall are of special interest - with some beautifully painted murals honouring community service in times of war, while inside there is a beautifully embroidered community quilt commemorating the devastating bush fires of 2009.