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Foster | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Foster | |
| Coordinates: 38°39′S 146°12′E / 38.650°S 146.200°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| LGA | |
| Location | |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Elevation | 47 m (154 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 1,164 (2016 census)[2] |
| Postcode | 3960 |
Foster is a dairying and grazing town 174 kilometres (108 mi) south-east of Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway in Victoria, Australia. At the 2016 census Foster had a population of 1,164.[2] It is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of the Gippsland coastline which includes Shallow Inlet, Corner Inlet, Waratah Bay, Yanakie and Wilsons Promontory.
History
[edit]Originally called Stockyard Creek, after the stream which still flows through the centre of the town, Foster was initially just a resting place for drovers travelling from Port Albert to Western Port. This changed with the discovery of gold in the 1880s, leading to a (modest) gold rush. The post office opened on 20 February 1871 as Stockyard Creek and was renamed Foster in 1879 when the township was established.[3] In 1870 a gold rush along Stockyard Creek resulted in the township of that name and in late 1884 following comments by the Police Magistrate from Sale (Mr William H Foster) that he couldn't hold court in a creek the town suddenly became ‘Foster’. Previously a stockyard for drovers had been established along the creek but several miles from the ultimate township. The story of Foster is in a publication available at the Foster & District Historical Society Inc.[4] The railway was extended to Foster in 1892. When the gold ran out, Foster became a service centre of the burgeoning South Gippsland dairy industry. Today it is a rural town that links Wilsons Promontory with the rest of Victoria.
Amenities
[edit]Foster has one hotel and several dining options. Because of the scenery of surrounding area and its proximity to Wilsons Promontory and mountain areas inland, Foster is a destination for international visitors as well as Melbourne residents. In summer, the town's temporary population can increase by as much as two and a half fold due to tourism.[5]
Foster has markets from November to April. The markets do not run from May through to October, during the Victorian winter.
The discovery of gold is commemorated by a bronze statue of a gold panner by artist, Kim Devenish.
Sport and recreation
[edit]The football club is the Foster Tigers which is part of the Alberton Football League.[6] Foster won the 1914 South Gippsland Shire Football Association premiership.[7]
Foster Golf Club course is on Reserve Road.[8]
The Great Southern Rail Trail links Foster to Leongatha in the west and Yarram in the east. The trail is used by horseriders, cyclists, runners and walkers.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Foster (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021.
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Foster". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
- ^ "Post Office List", Phoenix Auctions History, retrieved 17 February 2021
- ^ From Palings to Pavements 'History of Foster' HC Wilson et al.
- ^ "Foster township". Foster Community Online. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "Foster", Full Points Footy, archived from the original on 24 April 2008, retrieved 25 July 2008
- ^ "1914 - Country Matches: Toora". The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954). 15 September 1914. p. 10. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Foster", Golf Select, retrieved 11 May 2009
External links
[edit]
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