Discover the history of Lake Colac through a new online timeline
Published on 07 December 2021
A timeline mapping the history of Lake Colac has been created as an initiative of the Lake Colac Coordinating Committee and will show key historical milestones, significant events and celebrations, lake level and other environmental information, as well as a record of how the lake and the immediate surroundings have been used by humans through history.
The timeline includes mention of fish stocks introduced in the 1800s, the lake’s use to transport bluestone on a locally-built barge, a successful Colac community petition for a portion of foreshore land to be reserved for botanical and recreation purposes, as well as the introduction of the small steamer Mary Ann for pleasure cruising across the lake, the Botanic Gardens Monkey Cage, and many other interesting historical happenings on Victoria’s largest freshwater lake.
Sources of the content are acknowledged throughout the timeline, with the main resource collections drawn upon in the development of the timeline being the Colac & District Historical Society; State Library of Victoria; For the Pleasure of the People: A history of 150 years of the Colac Botanic Gardens by Helen Paatsch; John Martin (private collection); and film footage recorded and created by Brian Newcombe (private collection).
Photo credit: Regatta Day 1900 - The annual Regatta Day takes place on Lake Colac on New Years Day, Source - Colac & District Historical Society
The aim of the project is for the timeline to be interactive end ever-evolving as further information or source material comes to light and is shared with the project team. Anyone who would like to share additional resources, or has ideas for the timeline, can direct enquiries to the Lake Colac Coordinating Committee via inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au.
The Lake Colac Coordinating Committee is an advisory committee that provides a forum for coordinated efforts of community, Local Government and State Government agencies to advise Colac Otway Shire Council on the revitalisation and development of Lake Colac as a recreational, tourism, social, environmental and economic asset.
To view the timeline, visit: www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Parks-Recreation/Lake-Colac