Katamatite is a small rural township of about 300 people
located roughly 230 km north of Melbourne and 50 km north-east of
Shepparton.
The discovery of canoe trees, old cooking sites and the
discovery of stone implements give ample evidence into the
occupation of the area by Aborigines, possibly the
Bangerang, prior to white settlement. Katamatite's
name is believed to originate from an Aboriginal word
('Catamateet') for the local creek.
The first non-aboriginal person to visit the area was Edward
Khull who took up the 'Tallygaroopna' run in 1841. It
was on this land that Katamatite would develop. At that time
the land was moderately covered with box, pine trees, and prickly
scrub. A subdivision saw the future townsite become part of the
'Katandra' run in 1848.
The land was surveyed in 1874 and opened up for subdivision. In
1876 the first settlers who were mostly wheat farmers began to
arrive. In 1878 a post office opened within Moore's Hotel and the
first school opened. The following year a bridge was built over
Boosey Creek. In 1881 the Bank of Australasia began trading
and a weir was built. 1882 saw a police reserve established and the
first Wesleyan church built. In 1884 a mechanics' institute was
erected and Katamatite was declared a town the next year. In
1890 the railway arrived and a creamery opened. A butter factory
was built in 1906.
Enough history, now to the
cache!
Katamatite's Uniting Church had its foundation stone laid
on the 8th October, 1960 by Reverend A.E. McKay who was
Chairman of the Goulburn Valley District at that time. The church
opened its doors in 1961 and its unconventional and impressive
modern design, for that time, is certainly worth a cache hide. So
that is what we have done!
We have tried to keep a little bit of a theme happening with
this cache so please feel free to take something out of the cache
if you like. No swaps need to be made, but you can if you like. If
you do take some of the original items out of the cache can you
please take 2 identical ones as we would like them to leave
in pairs!
The Cache:
You are looking for a 1.2L Sistema container with the usual log
book and pen.
It may be easier to unclip the cache from it's lid.
In Addition:
For the storm chasers amongst you, or those looking for a good
read check out: Stormchasers
For Andrew McDonald's interesting account of a Supercell
that passed near Katamatite on December 18, 2003.