A simple drive-by cache to welcome you to our home town.
The area now known as Churchill was originally named Hazelwood, but was renamed after Sir Winston Churchill's death. The change of name has not been without its critics, and residents who pushed hard to restore the Hazelwood name were finally heard in 1989, when the town was asked to vote on whether the town would be renamed to Hazelwood or stay as Churchill. The name Churchill won by narrow vote.
The town has a unique landmark in the ‘cigar’ (GC2XD1Y) and once was the site of a since demolished ‘Binishell’, an unusual egg shaped building at the now Federation University. (see Binishell on Wikipedia and YouTube). Near the base of the cigar is a commemorative brick wall built by the Rotary Club of Hazelwood. It gives the names of the first families to move into the town.
Close to Churchill is Mathison Park, with walking tracks around Lake Hyland. This is the site of the “Winston Wander” geo-caching series. A Remote Control Model Power Boat Drivers Stand was built in 1996. A variety of trees and plants are being planted. This has now been enhanced with a walking path and fishing decks that were completed in 2005. The Lake continually has fish added to the eco-system for recreational fishing.
Churchill has a number of education facilities.
There are several primary schools
• Churchill Primary School
• Churchill North Primary School
• Lumen Christi Catholic Primary School within the town, as well as the Churchill and Precinct campuses of Kurnai College.
Churchill Campus of Kurnai Secondary College is set adjacent to a picturesque lake and wildlife corridor. The school has a variety of outdoor and sporting fields with easy access to Federation University and the Latrobe Leisure Centre which incorporates an indoor 25 metre pool and gymnasium facilities.
Gippsland Education Precinct includes the co-location of Kurnai College's VCE/senior Campus, Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE (aka. GippsTAFE) and Gippsland Group Training (Apprenticeships Victoria). The precinct aims to increase youth engagement in the transition from secondary school to tertiary education, training and employment.
Federation University's campus (formerly, Monash University Gippsland until 2013) is also located in the town.
Sporting opportunities in the township include:
• Churchill Cougars Football Club
• Churchill Rams Soccer Club
• Churchill Hockey Club
• Churchill and Monash Golf Club
• Jeeralang Pony Club
• Churchill Braves Baseball Club
The town is serviced by the Rotary Club of Hazelwood and the Churchill Lions Club.
(Abridged from Wikipedia)