Rossbridge is a town in the north west region of Victoria, Australia. It is approximately 229 kilometres (142 mi) west of the state's capital, Melbourne. Rossbridge has a population of 27, as of the 2021 Census.[1]

Rossbridge
Victoria
Rossbridge is located in Rural City of Ararat
Rossbridge
Rossbridge
Coordinates37°29′S 142°51′E / 37.483°S 142.850°E / -37.483; 142.850
Population27 (2021 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3378
Location
LGA(s)Rural City of Ararat
State electorate(s)Ripon

Established on the Ararat to coast road in the 1860s, the town gained its name from Ross's Bridge at the crossing of the Hopkins River. the bridge gained its name from named in turn after John Ross, selector of the Mount William Plains pastoral run.[2] By the 1870s a church, school and a number of residences were established. Ross Bridge Post Office opened on 21 November 1873 and closed in on 2 March 1962.[3] As an early grazing district, the town had its share of tragedy, with four children dying in a house fire on 9 February 1863.[4] Rossbridge Primary School #1069 opened 19 February 1872 and closed 31 December 1993. [5]

Notable people edit

  • Australian politician John McDougall attended Rossbridge Common School, later becoming a staunch anticapitalist and anti war campaigner.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Rossbridge (Suburbs and Localities)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 November 2022.  
  2. ^ Lorna L Banfield and John McKenzie, Shire of Ararat 1864-1994. The Centenary Years 1864-1964.
  3. ^ Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 15 June 2015
  4. ^ Tragedy at Ross Bridge – Irish Famine Orphans, Public Records Office Victoria
  5. ^ https://www.vic.gov.au/150-years-ross-bridge-primary-school
  6. ^ *King, Terry (1986). "McDougall, John Keith (1867 - 1957)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 16 March 2008.