Hamilton, Victoria
Encyclopedia : H : HA : HAM : Hamilton, Victoria
Hamilton () is a town in the Southern Grampians Shire of Victoria, Australia. It is located at the intersection of the Glenelg Highway (from Ballarat to Mount Gambier) and the Henty Highway (from Portland to Horsham). The Hamilton Highway connects it to Geelong. It has an approximate population of 9,000.
Self described as the "Wool Capital of the World", it boasts the Big Woolbales as a significant tourist attraction.
From 1881 William Guilfoyle, the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne was employed to design the Hamilton botanic gardens. Set in four acres (16,000 m²), the gardens are distinguished by rare botanic species, a superbly restored rotunda, a small zoo and playground and the ornate Thomson Fountain. The National Trust of Australia classified the gardens in 1990 with eight tree species listed on the Register of Significant Trees in Victoria.
A keen sporting town, there are many clubs and leagues in the Hamilton area. The town is best served by its two Australian Rules Football teams; Hamilton Magpies and Hamilton Imperials. Both teams compete in the Western Border Football League. Netball, field hockey, basketball and cricket are other popular sports in the town. Hamilton opened a large Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre in March 2006, which contains four basketball courts, a twenty-metre indoor swimming pool, and a large gym.
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is native to the area, and as such a reserve has been built to protect the endangered species.
Hamilton is in the federal Division of Wannon.
External links
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