Leongatha

First settlement of the area by Europeans occurred in 1845. The Post Office opened as Koorooman on 1 October 1887 and renamed Leongatha in 1891 when a township was established on the arrival of the railway.{{Cite web | last = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | url = http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&filter=*Leongatha* | access-date = 17 February 2021}}

The railway line from Melbourne reached the town in 1891,{{cite magazine |date=March 1990 | title = Tracks Across the State | author = Sid Brown |magazine= Newsrail | publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) | pages =71–76 }} and stimulated further settlement. Regular V/Line passenger operations on the line to the local railway station ceased in 1993.{{cite magazine

|date=March 1997

| title = Rail Passenger Service Withdrawals Since 1960

| author = Chris Banger

|magazine= Newsrail

| publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)

| pages =77–82

}}

The Leongatha Magistrates' Court closed on 1 January 1990.{{cite web | url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/lawrefrom/legal_services/final_report.pdf | title=Review of Legal Services in Rural and Regional Victoria | publisher=Parliament of Victoria Law Reform Committee | date=May 2001 | access-date=12 April 2020 |pages=291–292}}

The town made international media headlines in 2023, when four people were taken to hospital after consuming beef Wellington suspected to have contained death cap mushrooms. Three of the four guests subsequently died, and one survived, later receiving a liver transplant. The woman who cooked the meal, Erin Patterson, was charged with murder in November 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-66667514 |title=Australia mushroom deaths: Memorial for couple draws hundreds |website=BBC |date=31 August 2023}}

Leongatha has an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), with warm summers and cool winters. Average maxima vary from {{convert|24.9|C}} in February to {{convert|13.0|C}} in July, while average minima fluctuate between {{convert|12.3|C}} in February and {{convert|4.8|C}} in July. Precipitation is moderate (averaging {{convert|970.4|mm|in|abbr=on}} per annum), and is frequent (spread between 174.8 precipitation days).{{cite web |url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=85048 |title = Leongatha Climate (1896-1957) |website = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = September 15, 2024}}

{{Weather box

|location = Leongatha ({{coord|38.47|S|145.97|E|}}, 88 m AMSL) (1896-1957 normals & extremes)

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan high C = 24.8

|Feb high C = 24.9

|Mar high C = 23.2

|Apr high C = 19.2

|May high C = 16.1

|Jun high C = 13.5

|Jul high C = 13.0

|Aug high C = 14.1

|Sep high C = 16.4

|Oct high C = 18.5

|Nov high C = 20.8

|Dec high C = 23.2

|Jan low C = 11.5

|Feb low C = 12.3

|Mar low C = 11.1

|Apr low C = 9.2

|May low C = 7.2

|Jun low C = 5.4

|Jul low C = 4.8

|Aug low C = 5.3

|Sep low C = 6.6

|Oct low C = 7.9

|Nov low C = 9.2

|Dec low C = 10.7

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 59.0

|Feb precipitation mm = 60.7

|Mar precipitation mm = 70.4

|Apr precipitation mm = 87.7

|May precipitation mm = 84.7

|Jun precipitation mm = 94.6

|Jul precipitation mm = 82.9

|Aug precipitation mm = 94.7

|Sep precipitation mm = 87.6

|Oct precipitation mm = 95.6

|Nov precipitation mm = 82.3

|Dec precipitation mm = 67.5

|year precipitation mm = 970.4

|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 9.8

|Feb precipitation days = 8.9

|Mar precipitation days = 11.1

|Apr precipitation days = 14.5

|May precipitation days = 16.5

|Jun precipitation days = 17.9

|Jul precipitation days = 17.9

|Aug precipitation days = 19.5

|Sep precipitation days = 16.9

|Oct precipitation days = 16.3

|Nov precipitation days = 14.3

|Dec precipitation days = 11.2

|source 1 = Bureau of Meteorology (1896-1957 normals & extremes)

}}

{{main|Leongatha railway station, Victoria}}

The town is located on the South Gippsland Highway which links Leongatha to Melbourne. Leongatha was formerly situated along the South Gippsland railway corridor that operated to its terminus at Yarram in the early 1980s and Leongatha in the mid 1990s. A V/Line road coach service replaced the rail service on 24 July 1993, running between Melbourne and Yarram.

A second service runs from Traralgon to Wonthaggi. There was also a third bus service running from Venus Bay, through Tarwin Lower and Koonwarra connecting with the V/Line services that depart from Leongatha. This was a trial service and no longer operates.{{cite web

|url = http://www.vline.com.au/apps/vline/tripplanner/GetTimeTableForTown.asp?sid=&Town=Leongatha

|title = V/Line Timetable Search

|publisher = www.vline.com.au

|access-date = 2008-07-14

}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Leongatha Airport is located south of the town and serves general aviation.

Leongatha is a major educational hub for South Gippsland, and contains several schools, including:

• Leongatha Secondary College, result of a merger between Leongatha Technical School and Leongatha High School.
• Leongatha Primary School
• South Gippsland Specialist School
• GippsTafe (Leongatha Campus)
• St Laurence O'Toole Catholic Primary School
• Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College
• Chairo Christian School – For prep level to year 10. Also provides three to four year-old Kindergarten.

The town also has two kindergartens (Allora and Hasset Street), and two childcare centres (Brown Street and Leongatha Children's), which both have kindergarten rooms.{{cite web |url=http://www.leongatha.vic.au/directory/list/category/schools |title=Schools Section Page |publisher=www.leongatha.vic.au |access-date=2011-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313045231/http://www.leongatha.vic.au/directory/list/category/schools |archive-date=2011-03-13 |url-status=dead }}

• The Daffodil Festival is held annually in September. Competitions are held and many daffodil varieties are on display. A garden competition is also held.
• The railway line from Nyora through Leongatha to Foster has been converted into the Great Southern Rail Trail, for the shared use of horse riding, walking and cycling.

The Great Southern Rail Trail is now extended as far as Yarram with a side trail from Alberton to Port Albert. The old railway stations at Korumburra and Leongatha have been updated with a monthly Farmers Market held at the Leongatha site

Leongatha has a community theatre company, the "Lyric Theatre Company" that regularly stages theatrical productions.{{cite web|title=Leongatha Lyric Theatre|url=http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/category/theatre-company/leongatha-lyric-theatre|publisher=Theatre People Australia|access-date=16 Jun 2012}} The town has a medieval society, the "Leongatha Medieval Society", which re-enacts 14th-century weapons, armour and fighting styles.{{Cite web |url=http://www.lms.asn.au/ |title=Leongatha Medieval Society |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315221648/http://lms.asn.au/ |archive-date=15 March 2019 |url-status=dead }} The Medieval Society can be seen each month at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum at Korumburra.

Leongatha offers a range of sports including: athletics, basketball, badminton, cricket, croquet, cycling (BMX, road and track), equestrian, football (Australian rules, association and indoor soccer), golf, gymnastics, hockey (field and underwater), lawn bowls, martial arts (karate and taekwondo), netball, shooting, skateboarding, softball, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball (indoor and beach).{{cite web|title=Leongatha Recreation Reserve Strategy Plan|url=http://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/files/Leongatha%20Recreation%20Reserve%20Strategic%20Plan%202002.pdf|publisher=Leongatha Recreation Reserve Committee of Management|access-date=16 Jun 2012|author=Ashtrep Pty Ltd|year=2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919122507/http://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/files/Leongatha%20Recreation%20Reserve%20Strategic%20Plan%202002.pdf|archive-date=19 September 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Aquatic Strategy for South Gippsland, Volume 3|url=http://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/Files/SouthGippslandAquaticStrategyVol3.pdf|publisher=South Gippsland Shire Council|access-date=16 Jun 2012|author=SGL Consultants|year=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324224431/http://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/Files/SouthGippslandAquaticStrategyVol3.pdf|archive-date=24 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=South Gippsland Shire Recreation Plan, Volume 3|url=http://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/Files/Rec_Strategy-VOL_3.pdf|publisher=South Gippsland Shire Council|access-date=16 Jun 2012|author=@Leisure|year=2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325193728/http://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/Files/Rec_Strategy-VOL_3.pdf|archive-date=25 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The town's Australian Rules football club, the Leongatha Football Club ("The Parrots"), competes in the Gippsland Football League. Golfers play at the course of the Leongatha Golf Club on Inverloch-Koonwarra Road, Leongatha South,{{Cite web | author= Golf Select | title = Leongatha | url = http://www.golfselect.com.au/armchair/courseView.aspx?course_id=292 | access-date = 2009-05-11 }} or at the course of the Woorayl Golf Club at the Recreation Reserve.{{Cite web | author= Golf Select | title = Woorayl | url = http://www.golfselect.com.au/armchair/courseView.aspx?course_id=1129 | access-date = 2009-05-11 }}

Community services include CFA, SES, Police, ambulance. Other community organisations include Scouts (cubs, scouts, venturers and rovers), Girl Guides, and Salvation Army Youth Corps. The town also boasts a large YMCA complex (including pool, gym and basketball courts) plus a four theatre complex.

File:Leongatha Mechanics Institute.JPG|Mechanics Institute

File:Leongatha Otago Hotel.JPG|Bair's Otago Hotel

File:Leongatha Post & Telegraph Office.JPG|Post Office

File:Leongatha Roman Catholic Church.JPG|Catholic Church

File:Leongatha War Memorial Hall.JPG|Leongatha War Memorial Hall

File:Leongatha War Memorial.JPG|War memorial

File:Leongatha Court House.JPG|Court House

File:Leongatha eastview.jpg|Leongatha eastview

File:Leongatha Anglican Church.JPG|Anglican Church

File:"Leongatha, Counties of Buln Buln and Mornington," T.F. McGauran, Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Melbourne, 1892 (State Library Victoria).jpg| Leongatha, Crown Lands and Survey 1892

• Joff Ellen, comedian and actor.
• Lennie Gwyther, 9 year old boy who traveled more than 1000 km on horseback to see the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932.
• Dyson Heppell, Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club and is the former captain.
• Roc Kirby, businessman who founded the Village Roadshow cinema chain and film production company.
• [https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/eleanor-patterson/ Eleanor Patterson], Australian Olympic athlete who competes in high jump and has set national records.
• Jarryd Roughead, Australian rules footballer with the Hawthorn Football Club and part owner of McCartins Hotel.
• Stephen Wallis, Australian rules footballer.

{{Portal|Australia}}

• Leongatha railway station

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091029221954/http://www.leongatha.vic.au/ Leongatha Community Website]

{{Towns in South Gippsland Shire}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Leongatha, Victoria

Category:Towns in Victoria (state)

Category:Shire of South Gippsland