Jeparit

Jeparit is situated on the Wimmera River in Western Victoria, Australia, 370km north west of Melbourne. At the 2011 census Jeparit had a population of 632.HistoryThe area around Jeparit had been home to the Gromiluk Aborigines prior to European settlement. The name Jeparit is believed to be derived from a Gromiluk word meaning "home of small birds". European settlement began in the 1880s when German Lutheran immigrants began to settle and grow wheat.The town was surveyed in 1883 and gazetted in 1889, the post office opening on 31 August 1889 though known as Lake Hindmarsh until December. Two earlier post offices called Lake Hindmarsh had existed in the area at various times since 1861 to serve a smaller population of graziers.Jeparit’s most famous son is former Australian Prime Minister and founder of the Liberal Party, Sir Robert Menzies, who was born in the town in 1894. He is commemorated with a spire and a memorial bust installed at the town square. The spire is topped with a monument resembling a Scotch Thistle which contains the ashes of Sir Robert Menzies. The spire is inscribed:With its neighbouring township, Rainbow, Jeparit has a football team (Jeparit-Rainbow) competing in the Mallee Football League.