BERRIGAN
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Population:
First settled:
Main industries:
FAST FACTS
1. Berrigan is the birthplace of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
In 1900 residents decided to form a brigade to protect their community against the ever-present threat of bushfires.
They were Australia's first official bush fire brigade.
2. Berrigan is home to a single curlew (bird) which lives at the 18-hole golf course.
The bird can often be seen inside the clubhouse while patrons are eating and drinking.
3. The Red Corner Club Racing Syndicate was formed in Berrigan in 1963 and is believed to be the longest group-owned racing syndicate in Australia.
4. Berrigan Football Club won the Picola & District Football League premiership last year, breaking a 30-year drought.
5. About 150 children attend daycare and primary school in the town.
SIX THINGS TO DO
1. Celebrate St Patrick's Day at the Berrigan races, Saturday, March 17.
2. Take a picnic and watch the sunset at Government Tank Paddock, a nature reserve on the edge of town.
3. Find a bargain at the Red Cross Opportunity shop in Chanter Street, open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.
4. Stay the night at the Berrigan Lions Club Caravan Park, it's close to shops and a short drive to the 18 hole golf course.
5. Celebrate the town's agricultural past and present at the Canola Festival in September.
6. Take in the historic buildings of the town, including the post office built in 1901, the Federal Hotel with its Dutch gables built in 1915, and the ambulance station built in 1952.
FAMOUS NAMES
Brownlow medal-winning footballer Brian Gleeson was recruited from the Berrigan Football club to St Kilda in 1953.
Horse trainer Bert Honeychurch. At the peak of his training powers, Honeychurch trained 111 winners in the 1964-65 season and averaged a winner a week for 20 years.
