The town that moos… Cowwarr

LIBRARIES — CHANGE LIVES

The

history of St Brigid’s Catholic Church in Cowwarr

Founded in 1870 and the church’s foundation stone was laid that year. The presbytery, which is now the parish house, was completed in 1904.

What was once a school run by the Josephite Sisters of Saint Mary Mackillop (Mother Mary of the Cross) is now St. Joseph’s Hall.

Father Ken Clark, who is incidentally a keen gardener has been the local priest here for the past eleven years and fell in love with the community after being in Queensland. Of particular note are the magnificent stained-glass windows and serene garden area.

The township of Cowwarr

Cowwarr is situated between Toongabbie and Heyfield, and it is 24km north-east of Traralgon.

By 1868, an accommodation house was operating, and a township was surveyed. At first the settlement was known as The Forty Second, as the surrounding land was taken up under the 42nd clause of the Amended Land Act which allowed a selection of small blocks of land close to goldfields. The name Cowwarr is thought to be from an Aboriginal word meaning mountains or wind.

Cowwarr was situated on the plain near the point where the track entered the mountains. Here, supplies were transferred from bullock wagons to packhorses for the arduous climb to the goldfields. Gradually the thick scrub on the Thomson River flats was cleared. Oats, potatoes and other crops were grown on the fertile soil and several orchards were planted; the produce being packed to Walhalla. In 1883 a rail loop line from Traralgon passed through Cowwarr. During the 1880s, a number of sawmills operated in the district, supplying red gum paving blocks to Melbourne. As more land was cleared and drained, dairying became widespread. A creamery was set up in 1884 and 1893 construction began on a butter factory. At this time the largest training stables in Gippsland were situated at Cowwarr.

In 1918, a new butter factory was constructed near the railway station. Two landmark buildings were completed in 1930, the current Cricket Club Hotel and a substantial new mechanics’ institute hall was built, which is now the current Public Hall opposite the Cricket Club Hotel.

In January 2020, the Cowwarr Primary School was burnt down, after the first day back at school. The fire devastated the town, and it is wonderful to see the new Primary School back operating, since it’s rebuild back in mid 2021.

Cowwarr is home of the mighty Saints football and netball teams and play in the North Gippsland Football Netball League.

The Cowwarr Football Club is a foundation member of the North Gippsland Football League in 1955 and have participated in every season of this competition. Senior Premierships: 1963, 1973, 1974, 1987 and 2006. gl