Caramut
Town in Victoria, Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Caramut /ˈkærəmət/ is a town in the Western District of Victoria, Australia on the Hamilton Highway. It is in the Shire of Moyne local government area and the federal Division of Wannon.
Caramut | |
|---|---|
  Caramut | |
| Coordinates: 37°57′S 142°31′E | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| LGA | |
| Location |
|
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Population | |
| • Total | 246 (2016 census)[1] |
| Postcode | 3274 |
The name "Caramut" is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word cooramook, thought to mean "plenty of possums".[2]
At the 2006 census, Caramut and the surrounding area had a population of 392.[1] At the 2016 census, Caramut and the surrounding area had a population of 246.[3]
History
There is evidence that Aboriginal people had established a village of domed huts near Caramut before white settlement. The Protector of Aborigines, George Augustus Robinson, produced drawings[4] of structures in the area circa 1840.
In 1839 the Caramut area was first settled by John Muston as a pastoral run.
In 1842, the Lubra Creek massacre of six Dhauwurd wurrung people took place on the Caramut run, leased by Thomas Osbrey and Sidney Smith at the time.[5][6][7][8][9]
The Post Office opened on 1 March 1848 as Muston's Creek and was renamed Caramut in 1854.[10]
Traditional ownership
The formally recognised traditional owners for the area in which Caramut sits are groups within the Eastern Maar peoples,[11] who are represented by the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC).[12]
Community
The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Mininera & District Football League.
