Gymbowen, Victoria

Town in Victoria, Australia

36°44′0″S 141°36′0″E / 36.73333°S 141.60000°E / -36.73333; 141.60000Population52 (2016)^[1]Postcode(s)3401Location

359 km (223 mi) NW of Melbourne
59 km (37 mi) W of Horsham
12 km (7 mi) E of Goroke

LGA(s)Shire of West Wimmera State electorate(s)Lowan Federal division(s)Mallee

Gymbowen is a locality in the Shire of West Wimmera of Victoria, Australia. Gymbowen recorded a population of 52 at the 2016 census.

History

The date and establishment of Gymbowen is unknown, however the local school was opened in 1891 and the local hotel possibly earlier. The Post office was opened in 1882 and the 1891-92 post office directory lists the following residents:

Name	Occupation
Ah Ming, Charles	Carpenter
Carter, Esther	Teacher
Glancy, Mary	Teacher
Keeping, John	Blacksmith
Knight, William	Storekeeper
Lang, George	Blacksmith
O’Donnell Patrick	Blacksmith
Shannon, James	Blacksmith

Gymbowen served as a coach changing stage and as the railway reached there by 1894 until it closed in 1986. The Gymbowen hotel was a widely patronized place of refreshment, and it is said that many stories should have been preserved for posterity.

Gymbowen was the second post office in the district and the oldest survivor having opened on 1 June 1882 under the management of Mr. J. Houston. The annual postal allowance was 6 pounds (A$13.9). William H. Knight conducted the office in conjunction with the general store for many years; Leo Knight was appointed assistant on 11 December 1922 and postmaster on 1 December 1938.

The post office was transferred to Arthur Henry on 21 November 1946 and following his death on 13 December 1965, to Mrs. Margaret Fish.

School

The Gymbowen School first on 27 March 1881. The school started with 8 boys and 10 girls. The school closed on August 31, 1951, with the students transferred to Goroke Consolidated School or as it now known Goroke P-12 College These are some of the teachers that taught at this school: Young, Clancy, Carter, Clarke, Glenning, Beardsley, Hogan, Canty, Meehan, Trelfel, E Sharpe, J Hedigan, Brown, M Davies, K Makie, M Dudt, Lanrigan, L Wurfell, N Belcher, M Murphy, N tink, J Scott, Betts, Bryant, K Jellett, Messer, J Houston, J Clark, R greening, Claringbold, R Williams, Skidmore, L Pascoe, P Bright, L Prime, J Gleesner, J Lynch, W Passmore, F Duffy, J Roberts, M Dankett, Elmore and Jefferies.

Sports

In 1940 Gymbowen, Goroke and Minimay combined to enter Tatiara League. During World War II social matches were played between Edenhope, Goroke, Apsley, and Minimay with proceeds to patriotic funds.