Echuca Historical Society Inc.

01/10/2026

23/09/2026

After many thousands of visitors, a brass band and several spinning wheels treading the boards of our front verandah over the past 20 years, its age was starting to show. With a little consultation and discussion it was decided to replace the deck and bring our verandah back to its former glory.

With the expert help of Rick, Pat and Jack, of local legends Bourke Builders we now have a beautiful timber deck that no doubt will last longer than us here at the museum.

A huge thank you to the Holdsworth Trust, the Society and Bourke Builders.

06/09/2026

After almost 20 years of tirelessly working away at the Echuca Historical Society Museum, we are proud to present our newest life member, Jan Hollingsworth.
Starting with us in 2017, Jan and her equally hardworking sidekick Brian have given more hours to keeping the museum in tip-top shape than most of us here. From long-time committee member to secretary, then to our very knowledgeable collections manager, Jan excelled in each role and job she took on. Her orderly and methodical approach to our collection has seen it go from strength to strength and is truly a credit to her skills.

Thank you, Jan (and Brian), for everything you have done at the museum and for the Society as a whole. All the very best for your next adventure.

25/08/2026

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Russell Jack AM. Founder and Patron of Bendigo's Golden Dragon Museum, he and his team gave freely of their time and knowledge to assist the Echuca Historical Society in assessing, conserving and interpreting our Chinese collection. His wisdom and knowledge of Victoria's early Chinese communities was unsurpassed.
Our deepest condolences to his family.

29/06/2026

Have you ever wondered when Echuca was officially proclaimed a town? How many sister cities Echuca had over the years? Or you just can't quite put your finger on the year Echuca's first fast food restaurant opened....

Wonder no more!

Echuca Historical Society is proud to present our newest book. ECHUCA MOAMA -A TIMELINE.

Building on research conducted by Helen Coulson OAM, members have polished and expanded a timeline of events from 1838 to 2026. Thoroughly researched, checked, and checked again, we have produced a ready reference of easily digestible facts and snippets from Echuca Moama's colourful history.

Get your copy for only $10 at the Echuca Historical Society Museum. On the corner of Warren and Dickson Street, in the heart of the historic Port precinct.

26/05/2026

In less than a month, Echuca’s 111-year-old municipal water tower is going to be demolished by Coliban Water. A landmark of the town since 1914, the tower is a contributory place in the Shire of Campaspe’s Echuca Central Heritage Precinct overlay.

The tower was constructed by the Reinforced Concrete Company of Melbourne, which was founded by Australian war hero General John Monash. At the time of its completion, it was the biggest of its kind in Australia and cost the Borough £2973. It was 108 feet (33 metres) in height from ground to the top of the tank, and was borne by a splayed foundation of concrete 3 feet (91cm) in depth. The tank has a capacity of 150,000 gallons (681,900 litres). The tank stands on a solid central column of iron-reinforced concrete 3 feet in diameter and an outer wall tapering from 10 1/3 inches in thickness at the foot to 9 1/2 inches. There are five flats in the tower, each floor being composed of reinforced concrete four inches in thickness. An iron ladder reaches from floor to floor. In the construction of the tower and tank, 646 tonnes of material were used. The architect was the renowned Mr Arthur E. Castles of Deakin Shire. It took around 5 months to construct.

The Shire has been awfully quiet regarding the demolition, and with the lack of community consultation by Coliban Water, it’s left many residents wondering how this decision has been reached. The Echuca Water Tower isn’t some privately owned infrastructure. It was constructed from our grandparents’ rate money, maintained for decades with our parents' rate money, and now it’s being erased from the Echuca skyline because it no longer serves Coliban Water’s purpose.

25/05/2026

Our volunteers gathered for an afternoon tea as part of Volunteer Week.
Echuca Historical Society has been established as a museum & research centre for over 60 years, and the longevity of our society would not be possible without the assistance of the volunteers. Our volunteers are extraordinary people who do amazing things at the museum.
A BIG THANK YOU to all our volunteers.
Visit Echuca Moama, Port of Echuca, Echuca-Moama Family History Group Inc, Rochester Historical Society, Campaspe Shire Council

07/05/2026

From time to time EHS has the opportunity for a student to work at our museum as a work experience student.
Charlotte spent a week with us performing tasks as well as learning how to maintain and search for items in our collection.
We hope you succeed in your chosen career path.
Port of Echuca, Rochester Historical Society

11/03/2026

This beautiful old record player was left on our veranda as the museum was closed for the day.
Before we can display or keep it in our collection, the museum needs to determine if the player has any history, that is relevant to Echuca/Moama and surrounding districts.
Can the person who left it on the veranda contact the museum,so we can decide if the player has any history with a person or place within the Echuca/Moama districts.
Contact email [email protected]
Ph 03 55801325
EHS facebook or messenger
Any help will be appreciated.
Campaspe Shire Council Lost Echuca Moama Echuca Moama Community Page @

18/02/2026

With the recent front-page news of human remains being discovered at the Victoria Park redevelopment, followers would find it interesting to learn that this isn't the first discovery of its kind in the area.

In 1909, the Riv reported that human remains were discovered during the building of the first Victoria Park grandstand. Virtually in the same spot, these latest remains have been discovered. It was surmised that they were of great age and belonged to an Aboriginal person. Unsurprisingly, the current redevelopment encompasses parts of the sand hill area, which has historically been known as an indigenous burial ground since the town's founding.

A case of history repeating?