Эчука ( / ə ˈ tʃ uː k ə / ə- CHOO -kə ) [2] — город на берегу рек Мюррей и Кампаспе в штате Виктория , Австралия . Пограничный город Моама расположен на северной стороне реки Мюррей в Новом Южном Уэльсе . Эчука — административный центр и крупнейшее поселение в графстве Кампаспе . По данным переписи 2021 года , население Эчуки составляло 15 056 человек, [1] а население объединенных поселков Эчука и Моама составляло 22 568 человек. [3]
Эчука находится в традиционной стране Йорта Йорта . Название города - слово Йорта Йорта, означающее «встреча вод». [4] Эчука находится недалеко от слияния рек Гоулберн , Кампаспе и Мюррей . Его расположение в ближайшей к Мельбурну точке реки Мюррей способствовало его развитию как процветающего речного портового города в 19 веке.
Речные равнины водосбора Гоулберн-Брокен - традиционные земли народа Йорта-Йорта. [5] Их население до контакта с европейцами оценивается примерно в 2400 человек. Йорта Йорта были лишены своих традиционных земель и вынуждены влачить существование на окраинах европейских поселений в качестве остатков племенных групп. [6]
Современная Эчука была основана одним из самых предприимчивых деятелей раннего колониального периода, бывшим заключенным по имени Генри Хопвуд . В 1850 году он купил небольшую лодку, чтобы переправлять людей и товары через реку Мюррей недалеко от перекрестка Кампаспе. Небольшое поселение, известное как Хопвудс-Ферри, выросло и превратилось в город Эчука. Почтовое отделение Хопвуда в Пунте открылось примерно в 1854 году и было переименовано в почтовое отделение Эчука 1 января 1855 года .
К 1870-м годам Эчука приобрел известность как крупнейший внутренний порт Австралии. [ нужна цитата ] Будучи точкой кратчайшего расстояния между рекой Мюррей и крупным городом Мельбурном, Эчука была одновременно ключевым речным портом и железнодорожным узлом. Колёсные пароходы прибывали на 332-метровую пристань Эчука-Уорф , разгружались с помощью гидравлического крана, а затем товары транспортировались по железной дороге в Мельбурн. [ нужна цитация ] Шерсть , пшеница , другие зерна, домашний скот и древесина были наиболее распространенными товарами, перевозимыми в Эчуку. Пристань внесена в список объектов культурного наследия Австралийского национального наследия .
Этот промышленный бум привел к быстрому увеличению населения: с 26 жителей в 1854 году до 4789 в пиковый 1871 год. Более 80 пабов /отелей обслуживали потребности города, но, по слухам, гораздо больше магазинов, торгующих винными напитками и винами. в этом районе существовали трущобы и пивные в обход законов о лицензировании. Железный мост был построен через реку Мюррей в 1878 году Департаментом железных дорог Нового Южного Уэльса. [8]
Расширение железных дорог от Мельбурна до большей части Виктории, а также улучшение дорог и переменчивые условия на реках в совокупности уменьшили важность Эчуки, и к 1890-м годам флот колесных пароходов пришел в упадок. Экономическая депрессия и крах нескольких банков практически положили конец роли Эчуки как крупного экономического центра, и его население начало рассеиваться.
По данным переписи 2021 года , в Эчуке проживало 15 056 человек. [1]
Эчука расположен на слиянии рек Мюррей и Кампаспе, на лугах северных равнин . Он подвержен наводнениям. [9] На языке Йорта Йорта название Эчука переводится как «встреча вод». [10]
Echuca has a semi-arid climate (BSk) with Mediterranean climate (Csa) tendencies.
Echuca is the administrative centre for the Campaspe Shire Council.[12]
At the state level, Echuca is represented by the Electoral district of Murray Plains.
At the federal level, Echuca is represented by the Division of Nicholls.
The main industry in Echuca is tourism; it earns about $250 million a year for the Echuca economy.[citation needed] Visitors are attracted to the town by its climate, the Murray River and its paddle steamers, recreational attractions, several festivals and historical features, some of which have come to public awareness by the Nancy Cato novel All the Rivers Run, which was made into a TV miniseries.
Echuca is also a major regional service economy.
Agriculture is very important to the region. Dairy, wheat, sheep, pig, and cattle farms are all within close proximity.[citation needed]
The port is home to the largest paddle steamer fleet in the world, which includes the world's oldest operating wooden hulled paddle steamer, PS Adelaide built in 1866. There are several historic vessels operating out of Echuca on a daily commercial basis, such as PS Pevensey (built 1911), PS Alexander Arbuthnot (built 1923), PS Adelaide (built 1866) operating from Echuca Wharf itself, PS Emmylou (built 1980 with a steam engine in use from 1906), PS Canberra (built 1913) and PV Pride of the Murray (built 1924 as a logging barge C24) operating from Riverboat Dock, a short distance downstream from the main wharf. These vessels conduct four to six 1-hour cruises daily, while Emmylou offers lunch, dinner, and scenic cruises. There are also a number of privately owned paddle steamers in Echuca, including PS Hero, PS Henry Charles, and the former Church of England mission steamer, PS Etona.[13] As well as the paddle steamers there are numerous houseboats, many of which can be hired. MV Mary Ann (built 1981) operates as a cruising restaurant all year round.
The Port of Echuca is also restoring PS Success to full working order. When operational, it will be added to the fleet of paddle steamers at Echuca Wharf.[14]
Annual events held in Echuca include the Southern 80 waterski race, the largest waterski race in the world, (February), the Riverboats Music Festival (February),[15] the Echuca-Moama Weddings Expo (May),[16] the Echuca Rotary Steam, Horse and Vintage Rally (Queens Birthday weekend in June)[17] and WinterBlues Festival (July).[18][19]
In 1983, the Australian television mini-series, All the Rivers Run, based on a novel by Nancy Cato and starring Sigrid Thornton and John Waters, was filmed in and around Echuca. The local paddle steamers Pevensey and Emmylou featured in the mini-series as PS Philadelphia and PS Providence, respectively. The airing of this series around Australia and internationally revitalised Echuca's tourism economy.[citation needed]
In 1985, parts of the Australian telemovie My Brother Tom (based on the book by James Aldridge) were filmed in Echuca.[citation needed]
In the TV series Glitch, Vic, the district supervisor for the police forces of Echuca, the fictional Yoorana, and surrounding communities, is based in Echuca.
The ABC aired an episode of Get Krack!n on 6 February 2019 satirising morning television segments about regional food and wine tourism. There was some concern locally about how the episode depicted the town and its effect on tourism, although the intent of the segment was to "[poke] fun at commercial morning breakfast shows and their often-condescending portrayal of rural and regional areas".[20]
Echuca has a variety of restaurants.[21] Some that have been featured in The Age Good Food Guide include The Mill,[22] Black Pudding Deli[23] and Port 53.[24][25]
A major dining attraction in Echuca was the well known wharf-side restaurant Oscar W's.[26] It held a reputation for fine dining and was awarded a Chef's Hat in the 2013 Australian Good Food and Travel Guide[27] and had previously been awarded a hat by The Age Good Food Guide.[28] It closed in 2014.[29]
Echuca is connected over the Murray River to Moama by the Echuca-Moama Road Rail Bridge, completed in 1878. This historically significant bridge has riveted iron spans supported on cast iron pillars.[30] Trains no longer run on this bridge; a dedicated rail bridge has been constructed next to the old bridge, which now only carries road vehicles.
A second Murray River crossing, named Dhungala Bridge, was completed in July 2022.[31][32]
Echuca-Moama Transit runs three bus services hourly to Echuca East, Echuca South and Moama. The terminus is the Old Echuca Post Office on Hare Street. V/Line operates the Echuca line rail service from the local station to Melbourne via Bendigo. Echuca Airport is also located nearby.[33]
The local newspaper, The Riverine Herald is published by McPherson Media Group[34] three days a week.
Community radio station EMFM broadcasts in Echuca on the frequency of 104.7FM.
Echuca is served by several primary schools: 208 Primary School, Echuca East Primary School, Echuca Specialist School, St. Mary's Primary School and the newly constructed Twin Rivers Primary School (opened in 2018). Twin Rivers was formed by merging the former Echuca West and Echuca South Primary schools, and shares a place with Echuca Twin River Specialist School (formerly Echuca Specialist School)
Echuca has two high schools. Echuca College, a state secondary college, was formed in 2006 by the amalgamation of Echuca Technical College and Echuca High School. St. Joseph's College, a Catholic co-ed secondary school, occupies the site of a former Brigidine convent that opened in 1886.[35] Moama Anglican Grammar School, just over the border in New South Wales, also attracts students from Echuca.[36]
Bendigo TAFE has a campus in Echuca, offering education up to diploma level in various fields.[37]
The town has two Australian rules football clubs. The Murray Bombers competes in the Goulburn Valley Football League,[38] while Echuca United competes in the Murray Football League.
The town is also home to the Echuca Rockets, an inclusive all ability football team competing in the Victorian FIDA Football League - Northern Conference.[39]
Echuca has numerous other teams competing in regional and state sporting leagues, including netball, soccer, and field hockey. Echuca formerly fielded a baseball team, the Rich River Mariners, who played in the Goulburn Valley Baseball League.[40] The team disbanded in 2006.
Echuca has a horse racing club, the Echuca Racing Club, which schedules around twelve race meetings a year including the Echuca Cup meeting in March.[41]
Echuca Harness Racing Club conducts regular meetings at its racetrack in the town.[42]
Golfers play at the Echuca Back Nine Golf Course on Eyre and McKenzie Streets.[43]
In 2006, the Barry Beehag water ski race was established in honour of Barry Beehag, a founding and life member of the Moama Water Sports Club.[44]
Echuca's sister city was Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.[47] However, Whitehorse terminated the special relationship in 2008 due to the relationship being "strictly ceremonial in nature".[48]
Media related to Echuca at Wikimedia Commons