Jeparit

Jeparit
Victoria

Roy Street, the main street of Jeparit

Jeparit

Coordinates

36°08′0″S 141°59′0″E / 36.13333°S 141.98333°ECoordinates: 36°08′0″S 141°59′0″E / 36.13333°S 141.98333°E

Population

632 (2011 census)

Postcode(s)

3423

Elevation

85 m (279 ft)

Location

375 km (233 mi) NW of Melbourne
73 km (45 mi) N of Horsham
46 km (29 mi) W of Warracknabeal
38 km (24 mi) N of Dimboola

Mean max temp	Mean min temp	Annual rainfall
22.3 °C ^{72 °F}	8.6 °C ^{47 °F}	381.9 mm ^{15 in}

Jeparit (/dʒəˈpærɪt/ jə-PARR-it) is situated on the Wimmera River in Western Victoria, Australia, 370 kilometres (230 mi) north west of Melbourne. At the 2011 census Jeparit had a population of 632.

The area around Jeparit had been home to the Gromiluk Aborigines prior to European settlement. The name Jeparit is believed to be derived from a Gromiluk word meaning "home of small birds". European settlement began in the 1880s when German Lutheran immigrants began to settle and grow wheat.

The town was surveyed in 1883 and gazetted in 1889, the post office opening on 31 August 1889 though known as Lake Hindmarsh until December. Two earlier post offices called Lake Hindmarsh had existed in the area at various times since 1861 to serve a smaller population of graziers.

Jeparit’s most famous son is former Australian Prime Minister and founder of the Liberal Party, Sir Robert Menzies, who was born in the town in 1894. He is commemorated with a spire and a memorial bust installed at the town square. The spire is topped with a monument resembling a Scotch Thistle which contains the ashes of Sir Robert Menzies. The spire is inscribed:

This spire has been erected by the people of Jeparit and district, to honour Sir Robert Menzies. The spire symbolises the rise to world recognition of a boy who was born in Jeparit and who rose by his own efforts to become Australia's Prime Minister and a statesman recognised and honoured throughout the world.

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Wikipedia