History of Myrniong

Where the Western Highway (Highway No. 8) crosses the Myrniong Creek. 40 miles from Melbourne and 27 miles from Ballarat, is situated the township of Myrniong; and it is of this township and its surrounding fertile districts of Korobeit, Mt. Blackwood and the far-famed Pentland Hills, that these Historical facts refer. Situated in one of the most favoured areas of the State, being almost in the centre of the three main markets (Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat) and with reasonably adequate average rainfall – 23 inches in the lower Pentlands to well over 30 inches in the Korobeit - Mt. Blackwood area – farmers realise top prices for their stock at the above markets and many prizes have been secured for fat lamb exhibits at the Royal and other shows.

Below is an early picture taken of the Myrniong Primary School.

Originally the valley was called Blow’s Flat – not on account of its windy climate – but after a Mr Blow, who held an early squattage in the district extending as far east as the Lerderderg River. It was changed to Myrniong, an aboriginal name, and although several definitions of its meaning have been suggested - “Myrniong,” an edible root vegetable; the name of a tribe of aboriginals which frequented the area – “Myrr” the sound of rising wind, and “Young” “place” is though to be the correct one. The Myrniong Creek, though what it was named in the early days is unknown, is quite important now as it is the division of the Shires of Bacchus Marsh and Ballan and has on more than one occasion been an electoral boundary.

Geologically, the district is famous – the most salient feature being Mt. Blackwood to the north, an extinct volcano, 2240 feet above sea level, from which a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding country, extending as far as Melbourne and Geelong, can be obtained. The other feature to the south is the world famous Werribee Gorge, where evidence of the ice-age and glacial action are readily discernible. To the west is Pyke's Creek reservoir, which supplies irrigators in Bacchus Marsh and Werribee, and which of late has became a popular rendezvous for speed boats and aqua planers. Fishing is reasonably popular at Pyke's, also in the Werribee and Lerderderg Rivers.

Bird life was quite plentiful in the district in the late I800's over 140 species being observed in the area by the renowned Brittlebank brothers Charlie and Tom, who had a farm close to the Werribee Gorge and who were amongst the foremost ornithologists and painters of natural life in the State. Some of their work can be seen on the coloured plates in Gould’s book "Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds." Mrs. Blanche Miller (Blanche Fox) was another very prominent ornithologist, who lived in the district for many years. In later years, she organised numerous excursions for the various city bird clubs to the Werribee Gorge. A recent survey of bird life in the district disclosed the disquieting fact that there were less than half the number of species now present in the area, and birds that were previously quite common are now very rare.