Warragul and District Historical Society

The Warragul and District Historical Society has a museum in the Old Shire Hall, and this is open every Thursday and Sunday for anyone to visit. There are really interesting photographs of the early days and many showcases with items of the past.

The next meeting will be on Monday, October 31 at 7.30pm in the upstairs meeting room of the hall at 72 Queen St, Warragul.

The society welcomes visitors to these occasions because guest speakers relate information that is relevant to the local area.

For this October meeting we are really looking forward to Cheryl Drayton attending. Cheryl will be presenting a power-point on the history of the First Nations people with an emphasis on this area. Cheryl and her family grew up at Jacksons Track and have addressed us previously about that experience but may have more to say.

Last meeting Kyle Galley told us that the best-known trotting location in greater Gippsland was Warragul. It holds the distinction of having all the races over the years held within the town at the same venue. The Warragul Showgrounds, Warragul Racecourse or Logan Park are the names it has been known as over the years.

The first trotting race recorded was in 1892 and held under the banner of the “Warragul

Half-Holiday Association.” The day’s activities included a Pony Trot won by Mr Pope’s ‘Charlie’ and a Horse Trot was won by Mr Witton’s horse ‘A Love’ The takings raised at the gate were very pleasing be £3.0.0.

He continued with a very comprehensive history of the development of the racing and some very humorous incidents of skullduggery that some of the owners tried to get away with.

The hours for the museum are Thursdays 10am to 2pm; 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month 2pm to 4pm.