April 13th, 2026Our history with Natalie Pool
The settlement of Glenlyon dates back to 1846 when Richard Babington and John Carpenter opened the first drinking establishment on a track between the Loddon River and Kangaroo Creek known as the Glenlyon run.
The area continued to grow over time with gold mining in the 1850s to the 1870s, followed by sawmilling and agriculture pursuits.
Hepburn Shire’s Daylesford and Glenlyon Heritage Study states Glenlyon was only ever a small goldfield and established itself as an agricultural and trading centre early on, with miners coming in from the dry forest of the Fryers Creek Goldfields to the north to take up fertile land.
The town had a roads board in 1860, reflecting its importance in the local transport and communications network, located on the road to Kyneton and Melbourne. One of the road board’s first tasks was to build a wooden bridge over the Loddon River and to construct corduroy roads (a type of road constructed by laying logs). Expenses were met by collecting tolls at several toll gates put up on the Daylesford Road.
The Victorian Government Gazette dated December 12, 1865 imparts the following facts: The roads board was replaced on December 12, 1865 when His Excellency Sir Charles Henry Darling proclaimed the Shire of Glenlyon. It consisted of an area of approximately 310sq kms and along with Glenlyon included the towns of Lyonville, Bullarto, Drummond, Coomoora and Yandoit.
After the proclamation in 1865, council offices were built in the town. The school had operated from 1861 and there were hotels, stores and churches. In 1867, the Department of Lands surveyed the township and developed a framework for growth.
Fast forward to 1903 and the Australian Handbook describes Glenlyon as a shire and post town. “There are three hotels, police station, shire hall, state school, Roman Catholic Church (St Paul’s) and school, Church of England and Wesleyan churches (and) a debating society. (The) town is not lighted. It is principally a farming district, the chief crops being wheat, oats, hay, peas and potatoes, 7932 acres being under cultivation. There are 750 dwellings, 696 ratepayers on the roll (and) 1s rates. Loddon Falls is a very romantic spot, about one mile below the township. Abundant supply of water from mineral springs. Population 300; of shire 2500.”
In 1915, the Glenlyon and Mt Franklin shires amalgamated, and Glenlyon became the new council’s meeting point.
The Argus newspaper of January 4, 1932 describes a big event happening in Glenlyon. People from many parts of the state and from other states visited the village for the Back to Glenlyon celebrations.
The back-to-school celebration was enjoyed by a representative gathering and took the form of a picnic and sports day. Other items included special church services, a picnic at Hepburn Springs and visits to local beauty spots and dances.
The population of Glenlyon dropped to 120 in 1961 and the council could no longer complete the necessary tasks required of its shire (roads, infrastructure, services and facilities). It merged with the Borough of Daylesford in 1966 to form the Shire of Daylesford and Glenlyon, which itself was later incorporated into the Hepburn Shire Council in 1995.
A fight with a bull in 1914
Irritated at confinement in a truck, a pedigreed Holstein bull attacked Cr. J. J. McCarthy, president of the Glenlyon Shire Council, its owner, when he endeavoured to take delivery at the Malmsbury station.
When Cr McCarthy entered the truck, he seized the bull by the tail. The animal tried to gore him, and an exciting contest ensued. Vigorous turnings and twistings resulted in Cr McCarthy seizing the ring in the bull’s nose and thus establishing a circuit of control.
Norman White, an employee, entered the truck, but the bull tried to attack him. Cr. McCarthy partly lost control and White was in danger, clever footwork alone saving him from the animal’s horns.
The sides of the truck resounded with the impact of the horns as the bull rushed at the two men. At last Cr McCarthy fixed a stallion’s leading chain and staff to the nose-ring but the bull broke free and dashed from the truck.
It raced through several streets, with White clinging to the rope. Mr Charles Breton assisted White to subdue the runaway.
