Deans Marsh, Victoria

Deans Marsh Victoria
A former church at Deans Marsh
Deans Marsh
Coordinates	38°23′S 143°53′E
Population	269 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	3235
Location	135 km (84 mi) SW of Melbourne 61 km (38 mi) SW of Geelong 34 km (21 mi) E of Colac 23 km (14 mi) NW of Lorne
LGA(s)	Surf Coast Shire
State electorate(s)	Polwarth
Federal division(s)	Corangamite
Localities around Deans Marsh: Birregurra Birregurra Bambra Whoorel Deans Marsh Boonah Murroon Pennyroyal Benwerrin

Deans Marsh is a town in Victoria, Australia, located 23 kilometres (14 mi) inland from Lorne. At the 2016 census, Deans Marsh had a population of 269.^[1] Deans Marsh is part of the Otway Harvest Trail, with the Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm and the Gentle Annie Berry Gardens nearby. There are three wineries in the area - Blakes Estate, Alt Road and Heroes Vineyard. The Store is located in the centre of the town, servicing locals and tourists with provisions, local produce, alcohol and a cafe. Also located in Deans Marsh is Yan Yan Gurt West, a sheep farm known for its 1880s woolshed and innovative practices in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry.

History

Deans Marsh Post Office opened on 3 November 1866.^[2]

The Forrest railway line, which branched from the Warrnambool line at Birregurra, was opened to Deans Marsh on 19 December 1889, and was extended to Forrest on 5 June 1891. The line was closed on 4 March 1957.^[3]

On Ash Wednesday 1983, a fire started at Deans Marsh, which spread rapidly, becoming a huge blaze which razed a considerable area of the Victoria's Surfcoast, destroying a large number of houses in Barwon Downs, Lorne, Fairhaven, Aireys Inlet, and Anglesea, and resulted in the deaths of three people.^[4]

Notable people

Deans Marsh is the birthplace of the renowned Wagnerian soprano Marjorie Lawrence (1907–1979).

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Deans Marsh (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
2. Phoenix Auctions History, Post Office List, retrieved 29 March 2021
3. "Birregurra Station". Rail Geelong. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
4. "Ash Wednesday 1983". Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Retrieved 3 December 2021.