The meaning of Echuca (#1) Traditional Cache
WazzaAndWenches: A recent health issue means I am unable to walk as far as needed to maintain this cache.
Very reluctantly I must archive it to avoid the wrath of the review process.
The meaning of Echuca (#1)
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Size: 
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The first cache in a small series based around the Echuca area.
Echuca and Moama's colourful history began when the towns were founded by two ex-convicts.
Moama was founded in 1845 when James Maiden established a punt and an inn on the New South Wales side of the Murray. Originally known as Maiden's Punt, the area became known as Moama in 1851.
Henry Hopwood arrived on the southern side of the river in 1850 and set up a rival punt and pub in 1853.
The site became known as Echuca in 1854, an aboriginal term meaning ‘meeting of the waters’.
It seems that the twin towns were destined to be connected. Echuca and Moama’s links had been forged when James Maiden and Henry Hopwood were sentenced on the same day in the same court back in Lancashire.
Hopwood was the more enterprising of the two former convicts. His suggestion of a river port formed the basis of the river trade which was paramount to the economic development of the nation. Echuca was even nominated as a possible nation capital in 1891.
However, with the growth of railways, the river trade was in decline by the turn of the century. But, with the redevelopment of the Port of Echuca in 1974, the town has seen a boom which shows no sign of slowing down.
Not far from GZ is a scenic spot overlooking the reason for the name "Echuca". Bring a picnic lunch with you and relax as you watch the occasional passing water traffic (particularly during holiday season).
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