About Us

Nathalia is a rural township on the Broken Creek about 40km north west of Shepparton and 215km north of Melbourne, situated in the wedge of land between the Goulburn and Murray Rivers at their junction. Prior to European settlement the area was inhabited by the Bangerang people.

In 1836 New South Wales Act legalized squatting runs as grazing rights in the colony of Australia at a cost of 10 pound per annum. Between 1838 and 1840 the Overlanders traversed the unsettled district quickly followed by the squatters. By 1847 the Order in Council came into operation under which the lands of the colony which could be leased were divided into three classes - the settled, the intermediate, and the unsettled districts.

At that time the unsettled districts like Nathalia, leases were allocated for fourteen years. The amount of the lease was ten pounds per annum, in addition squatters were also required to pay a fee per head of cattle, sheep and horses. This additional fee was based on the assumption that the run had the capacity to carry 4,000 sheep or an equivalent number of cattle. The ultimate capability of the run was determined by two valuers, one appointed by the commissioner of Crown Lands for the district, and one by the occupier.

There were originally five squatting runs in the area:

In 1841 John Howe was the first squatter to apply for the Yielima Run. He was the son of William Howe, a Scottish free settler.
In 1842 Edward Micklethwaite Curr took up the lease in father's name Edward Curr Snr as the Lower Moira Squatting Run.
By 1842 William J Locke had taken up a lease on the Kotupna Run, and a year later Alexander McDonell took up the 'unoccupied' land originally called Five Mile Creek, later known as Upper Moira Squatting Run.
In 1861 the Kaarimba Squatting Run was carved off from the Kotupna Run when Thomas Bear, Henry and Charles Morgan decided to subdivide the Kotupna Squatting Run.
The passing of the 1869 Victorian Land Act allowed free selection before survey. Soon after the township of Nathalia was officially surveyed in 1879, at a period in time when pastoral runs in northern Victoria were being subdivided for farm selection. Additional surveys in 1886 and 1889 enlarged the township site.

Nathalia & District Historical Society

Nathalia & District Historical Society is partly housed in the former Mechanics Institute built in 1887. The Society commenced in the 1960s when a group of local people decided to protect the history of the area so it was not lost to future generations.

Our collection continues to grow thanks to the generosity of the local community, and our members and volunteers continue to research, document, preserve and present it in a way which helps visitors to understand the past, reflect on the present and look to the future.

Our Society relies on the support of the community and the commitment of our volunteers to remain successful. Income is derived from research fees, entrance fees and books sold through our ‘Superb Reads’ Bookshop. The Moira Shire provide ongoing support for the maintenance of the buildings and grounds and we are fortunate to receive financial assistance on occasions from various funding bodies for special projects, such as conservation and equipment purchases.