Girgarre, Victoria

Girgarre is a small town in the Goulburn Valley, Victoria, Australia. It is in the Shire of Campaspe local government area. At the, Girgarre and surrounding area had a population of 593.HistoryThe Post Office opened on 21 May 1917 as Stanhope North and was renamed Girgarre in 1920.Girgarre Kindergarten was established in 1964. It has operated out of several locations within the town. Currently the kindergarten operates out of the old Primary Schools Principals Home. The Kindergarten is celebrating its 50-year anniversary in 2014 with several events planned throughout the year.The Girgarre Community Centre was established in 1984 and is operated by the Girgarre Community Group Inc. A not for profit organisation that operates largely through the significant contribution of volunteers.TodayThe main industry in Girgarre is dairying, mainly on family owned farms.Girgarre has a primary school, kindergarten, milk bar/post office, and a V/Line bus stop. It is 18.9 km and 17 minutes drive from the larger town of Kyabram, and 38.6 km and 33 minutes drive to Shepparton.Girgarre has been home to a large Heinz factory, a significant regional employer. Waste water from the factory was made available for farmers for irrigation and stock use.On 27 May 2011 Heinz announced it would close the Girgarre factory with a loss of 146 jobs. Heinz also announced job losses for its factories in Northgate (Brisbane), and Wagga Wagga. Heinz said it expected to complete the lay offs within 12 months. Heinz factory has been sold to a food recycling animal foods processor. When factory is operational will employ approximately 30 workers.