Smeaton, Victoria

Smeaton is a rural town in the state of Victoria, Australia near the town of Creswick. At the, Smeaton had a population of 231.The 2011 Commonwealth census found that of the 279 population, 141 were men, 138 were women and the median average age was 49. A breakdown of resident heritage showed that 28.3% claimed Australian heritage, 28.3 English heritage, 11.9% Scottish, 11% Irish and 5% Italian. However, of those, 89% were born in Australia and 3% in England.The town was founded by Scottish settler Captain John Hepburn who was a colonial squatter in the 1840s. Hepburn held under Government licence about 20,000 acres (80 km²) for his sheep and cattle run which he drove overland from Sydney. He built Smeaton House in 1849 with the assistance of British colonial migrants.Smeaton House itself, remains a large and grand reminder of the power and wealth of the few members of the then ruling squattocracy of colonial pre-gold rush Victoria with its grand servants wings and family accommodation and remains in private hands.Hepburn became a very high-profile figure in the district, promoted gold mines and became a Justice of the Peace before he died in 1860. The death of Capt John Hepburn was published in the Creswick Newspaper and Argus (Age) Newspapers of that period.Smeaton Post Office opened on 21 June 1860 and closed in 1993.Smeaton, in colonial times was once home to 7 hotels, 2 bakeries, 2 banks and various shops. Now only the Smeaton Hotel, known as The Cumberland remains of the shopping area providing locals and travellers alike a cold drink, and a warm meal. Anderson's Mill was constructed in 1861-2 by John Anderson to mill flour and later oats.