Our History
About our Town ▼
Tynong's history, starting in the 1870s, is rooted in its location near the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, with early industries like timber, eucalyptus oil, and railway sleeper cutting for the Gippsland line. The railway's arrival spurred settlement, developing fertile land for farming (dairy, vegetables) after swamp draining, while the area also saw granite quarrying, notably for Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. Key developments included the 1877 railway, the 1882 Post Office, and the 1905 school, alongside significant historical events like the unsolved 1980s serial killings in Tynong North.
Early Settlement & Industries
- Name Origin: From an Aboriginal word meaning "many fish," reflecting its swamp location.
- Timber & Railways: The 1877 Gippsland railway opened up the area, boosting timber-getting (firewood, sleepers) and establishing sidings.
- Other Early Trades: Eucalyptus oil distillation, charcoal burning, and blacksmithing were also important.
Development & Growth
- Farming: After swamp drainage, fertile soils led to dairy and vegetable farming.
- Granite Quarrying: A significant industry in the 1920s-30s, providing granite for the Shrine of Remembrance.
- Community Infrastructure: A Post Office opened in 1882, and a school in 1905.
- Railways: The station developed, though sidings were removed by the late 1970s/early 1980s.
Notable Events & Landmarks
- Shrine of Remembrance: Tynong granite was crucial for its construction.
- Tynong North Murders: A series of unsolved serial killings of six women between 1980-1981.
- Cornucopia Australis: A local museum reflecting the area's history, including Indigenous artefacts.