Historical information

George Eddington arrived in Australia in 1839 and named and established property in 1841 calling the property Ballangeich after a Pass near his home town of Stirling in Scotland. It is situated 151 miles west of Melbourne and to the south of Mortlake and was originally part of the Mortlake shire, which was proclaimed 26th Jan 1864. Nearest streams are the Hopkins Riverand Lyall and Drysdale creek running through good agricultural land. This map relates to the breaking up of large runs which the Victorian government enabled through selection acts of the 1860's. The previously larger runs which were mainly cattle and sheep based were now more open to closer settlement and a greater variety in farming.The lots range in size from approximately 50 acres to around 600 acres.Some areas are set aside for reserves. By 1886 the population of Ballangeich had grown to around 600 with an hotel, three state schools and a church.Tri weekly coaches ran to Colac, Warrnambool and Camperdown providing access to supplies mail and communication.

Significance

This map is typical of many which were produced in the 1860's in Victoria during a significant period of Victoria's and Warrnambool district history.

Physical description

Rectangular light card paper with black text showing allotments of land The area is coloured in green with scale at bottom right corner

Inscriptions & markings

At the top: Plan of the Agricultural area of Ballangeich 1865
At the bottom left: Prepared by the Board of Lands & Works in accordance with the Amending Land Act 1865 Lands & Survey Office Melbourne 13th April 1865. With signature