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The Pyrenees Shire is located in the Central West of Victoria, about 130 kms north west of Melbourne. Major towns in the shire are Avoca and Beaufort | The Pyrenees Shire is located in the Central West of Victoria, about 130 kms north west of Melbourne. Major towns in the shire are Avoca and Beaufort | ||
=Historical background= | = Historical background = | ||
The area became more closely settled in the 1850s after a succession of gold rushes. | The Aboriginal people of the area were the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dja_Dja_Wurrung Dja Dja Wurrung]. | ||
Major Mitchell explored the area in 1836 and named the mountains nearby as they reminded him of the Pyrenees in Europe.Pastoralists settled the area from 1838.<br> | |||
The area became more closely settled in the 1850s after a succession of gold rushes; the first rush was in 1852. | |||
Today the economy of the shire is mostly primary industry. Thirty percent of those employed work in agriculture. Local production includes wool, cereal, hay crops and meat. Grapes are grown and there is a local wine industry. There is still some mining of gold. | Today the economy of the shire is mostly primary industry. Thirty percent of those employed work in agriculture. Local production includes wool, cereal, hay crops and meat. Grapes are grown and there is a local wine industry. There is still some mining of gold. | ||
= Repositories and their holdings = | = Repositories and their holdings = | ||