Corryong's 150 Year Timeline
19 July 1875 - 19 July 2025
Celebrating 150 Years of Corryong
In 1875, Corryong was officially proclaimed a town — a milestone recognising its growth as a regional centre. While not the first settlement in the Upper Murray, it was among the earliest to meet the criteria for township status, including population, infrastructure and civic activity.
This July, we’re marking 150 years with a series of events and displays that honour Corryong’s past and present.
Take a stroll down Hanson Street to explore the Timeline Trail, a footpath installation created by Corryong College and the Upper Murray Historical Society. Scan QR codes along the way to uncover stories and images from the town’s rich history.
Scroll down to discover what’s on and how you can be part of the celebration.
Dreamtime
We acknowledge the First Nations People of the Upper Murray, who have lived here since the Dreamtime. The Jaitmathang, Dhudhuroa, Ngarigo, and Wolgal peoples were — and continue to be — the custodians of this land, including the sacred landscapes of the Australian Alps.
1836
First Europeans
The first Europeans found their way to Upper Murray or Hume River - Corryong district - in 1836 following the introduction of land ownership laws by the Victorian Colonial Government.
1838 “Kuriong” (Corryong) Run informally taken up as a squatting run
1839 "Kuriong" Run or Cowtang Creek (consisting of 12,800 acres) was officially registered to Charles Cowper of Wivenhowe
This image is a published version of P. G. King’s original sketch of Mount Townsend Ridge, drawn from Welaregang in June 1839. It was later reproduced in Rev. W. B. Clarke’s 'Researches in the Southern Gold Fields of New South Wales' (1860). This is the earliest known sketch of this significant landscape.
1851
Victoria - An Independent Colony
1851 On July 1, 1851, Victoria (formerly the Port Phillip District of NSW) was proclaimed a separate and independent colony of the British Crown. It was answerable directly to London rather than New South Wales.
1860 The Duffy Land Act passed through the Victorian Parliament. This act threw open country for selection. The Act was modified in 1862, 1866 and 1869.
It allowed citizens to take up allotments of land from 80 to 640 acres (32.4 to 259 hectares), providing certain requirements and conditions were met.
1866 Saw the arrival of the Upper Murray’s first “Selectors” to settle around Corryong. They were Hugh Harris, James Briggs and Robert Kiell. These three men were miners from the Stanley Gold Field near Beechworth.
1869
Corryong's First School
With people in the area from 1836, there came a time where there was a need to educate the children of the families moving to live and work.
Education in Corryong began at Hugh Harris’ Homestead in 1869, with Robert Stratton as the first teacher of 12 students aged 6 to 16, funded by parent fees.
By 1870, the school had outgrown its space. A new two-room slab and shingle building—including a teacher’s residence—was built on land donated by Harris, on Hunters Plain just below the current Corryong Aerodrome.
In May 1872, it was officially registered as Corryong Rural School No. 127. Unfortunately the site was not very conducive being moist in winter and often cloaked in fog. Another site was investigated and further change came in 1877.
1875
Business Buildings
1875 brought changes to Corryong. The first business building - Thomas Miller's Store - was erected on Towong Road. He would died within months of opening his store.
The Corryong Hotel, built on the opposite side of Towong Road, soon followed. soon followed. Known locally today as the Bottom Pub, it was operated by Janet McVean upon first opening.
Proclamation
On the 19th of July 1875 Corryong was officially proclaimed a township.
Click here to read the original Proclamation Article featured in the Victoria Government Gazette No. 51 1875.
1877
A New School Site
Due to the inclement winter conditions of the Hunters Plain school site, a new and more suitable school site was chosen “up the hill” on Towong Road (Cnr Towong Road and Donaldson Street).
Construction began April 1877 and in July the new Corryong State School, No. 1309, was officially opened. The placement of the school at this site acted as the nucleus of the current business centre of the town rather than around the Corryong Hotel.
Pictured here is the "new” Corryong School and Teachers Residence, circa 1877. Read on to learn about the evolution of schooling in Corryong.
1878
Crawford & Co.
In 1878, a coach service, operated by Crawford & Co., opened a new line, running twice weekly between Wodonga and Tallangatta (now Old Tallangatta).
With the Saturday service, the coach would continue on from Tallangatta through to Corryong, terminating at Towong.
In 1881, Crawford & Co. started a regular twice-weekly coach service from Wodonga to Corryong via Old Tallangatta, with the Corryong Hotel on Towong Road as the final stop. To support the growing traffic and keep wheels turning, local blacksmith Charlie Jones opened his “smithy” nearby, offering immediate repairs for the passing coaches and horses.
1879
Corryong is Officially Surveyed
Corryong Township officially surveyed by Thomas Brain.
Permanent Police Presence Arrives
Corryong’s first permanent police presence came in 1979. In May, Mounted Constable George Robinson was transferred from Barnawartha to take charge of policing at Corryong.
He was ordered to keep a bright lookout for the Kelly Gang who were still at large and a catalyst for permanent police presence.
Corryong Enters its Golden Age
Gold is found. Alluvial gold and reefs are discovered at Zulu Creek towards the head of Wheelers Creek.
1880
Allure of Gold
Following the discovery of alluvial gold and reefs discovered at Zulu Creek, people were attracted to come to the area is search of making their fortune.
1880 Alluvial rush to Bullocky and Thowgla Creek
1883 Payable quartz reefs uncovered at Dark (Dart) River, Gibbo Range
These rushes added materially to the town.
Corryong Athenaeum Hall
As the township began to develop it was recognised in 1879 that a community centre was required. Public land had already been put aside for this purpose.
Work commenced the same year and the Hall officially opened in April 1880 with 200 attending.
Up until 1958 it stood on the site of the Memorial Hall. The builders were William Lloyd and James Sharp.
The site remains with the Corryong Memorial Hall on it today and you can attend the Proclamation High Tea being hosted for the 150 celebrations.
Beginning of the Business Precinct
The first business building erected in the business precinct was Charlie Jephcott’s Saddlery Shop. This was prior to the town blocks being officially surveyed.
Charlie Jephcott bought the old slab school on Hunter’s Plain after the school was vacated. Worked in it for a short while then removed it to the site of Mathew Cooper’s Real Estate business.
1882
First Official Land Sales & Corryong's Second Hotel
The first official land sales in Corryong come about in 1882 - 1883.
After being refused a publican’s license on the Upper Thowgla Diggings, Sarah King removed her slab accommodation house from Upper Thowlga Creek and re-erected it on the site of the present-day Courthouse Hotel.
While it was being re-erected the structure was expanded to 11 rooms. She then successfully reapplied for a publican’s license on this new site. Thereby opening Corryong’s second hotel.
1883
Thomas Donaldson, who took over Thomas Millar’s Store after his demise, builds the first substantial building in Corryong on the corner adjacent to the school.
The store, constructed of brick, was opened on the 26th July 1883 and for several years Donaldson’s Store also acted as Corryong’s first official Post Office.
1886
The Electric Telegraph Service Arrives
Corryong finally connected to the electric telegraph service via (Old) Tallangatta. This was the first time that messages could be conveyed faster than the horse or steam train.
In 1897, Corryong installed a single telephone line between Tallangatta and Corryong.
1888 - 1894
Gold Discovered on Mt Elliot
During the winter of 1888 gold was discovered by the McInnes Bros. at Towong in the watershed of Fisher’s Creek on the Bringenbrong side of Mount Elliot. A number of significant quartz reefs were soon opened. In 1894 rich gold bearing reefs were discovered on Mount Elliot after Sandy McInnes and family opened the New Chum on Towong Gap. These were the first payable gold-bearing reefs found close to Corryong.
1894
Corryong Courier
In January 1894 local newspaper, the Corryong Courier commenced weekly publication. Before this the favourite local newspapers were The Albury Banner and Upper Murray & Mitta Herald. Predictions were that the Courier would be short-lived but, remarkedly, it is still in print to this day – a rarity for country newspapers.
1896
Corryong Football Association
The Corryong Football Association formed in 1897 and included among the teams - Corryong, Cudgewa and the Miners. After 1901 the Miners became the Federals Football Club.
1898
The Cudgewa Diary Co.
The Cudgewa Diary Co. went through major re-organisation and modification, and re-located to Thougla Creek on the Towong Road just out of Corryong. The Cudgewa Dairy Co. became a major industry for the district and brought much-welcome employment.
1903
Corryong Recreation Reserve
The Corryong Recreation Reserve formed in 1903 and the Corryong Grandstand built.
The Corryong Horse–Racing Track was incorporated into the reserve the same year.
1905
A Hospital for Corryong
The Corryong Cottage hospital opens.
You can delve into Corryong Health’s story on their website: ‘Together, Strengthening the Health of Our Community’
1914
A Year of Firsts
1914 brought many changes including advancements at home, service abroad and other firsts.
The Corryong Post Office opened on the corner of Hanson and Jardine Street.
The first silent movie was shown at the Athenaeum Hall.
Work on the long-awaited railway line between (Old) Tallangatta and Corryong commenced.
World War One commenced drawing many young men away from the town and district. Eighty percent of the eligible young men of the district volunteered for Active Service. Surely a record for Victoria.
WWI 1914 - 1918
1917
Last Days of the Public Coach
The development of roads and automobile transport meant that after serving the Upper Murray for 39 years Tallangatta to Corryong coach closes down and is replaced by automobile.
1918
Troops Return Home
World War One ends – Troops return home through late 1918- early 1919.
1920s
1920 The “Upper Murray” Shire separates from the Shire of Towong.
1921 Railway opened to Cudgewa.
1924 Reticulated (piped) water supplied to Corryong via Nariel Creek
1928 Corryong Fire Brigade established
1930s
1931 Talkies first shown at Athenaeum Hall
1935 Electric Lighting comes to Corryong with the erection of the “Corryong Powerhouse” on Greenham Street.
This plant served the town until 1961.
1939
Bushfires narrowly missed Corryong but devastated much of the district.
The outbreak of World War Two took many young men and women away from the district.
Corryong had an enemy aircraft spotting post established near the corner of Wheelers Street and Jephcott Avenue.
WWII 1939 - 1945
1945 – 1946
Troops & Female Auxiliary Forces
Troops and Female Auxiliary Forces return after WWII.
1950s
1953 Corryong High School established and commences operation.
1955 Corryong R.S.L. Hall opens on Donaldson St
1958 The old Corryong Athenaeum Hall is demolished
Corryong Ambulance Service commenced operations
The first six housing commission houses built
1959 Corryong & District Memorial Hall and Civic Theatre opens
Snowy Hydro Electricity Scheme
Operations commenced on the Eucumbene–Murray section of the Snowy Mountains Scheme in 1959, marking the first stage of this ambitious nation-building project.
Construction also began on a new Snowy Mountains Authority (SMA) town at Khancoban. A decade later, in 1969, the Snowy–Murray Project was completed. Focus then shifted to major developments at Talbingo and the Blowering Dam.
Over the course of its construction, more than 100,000 people from over 30 countries worked on the Scheme. Many were migrants who had fled the devastation of post-war Europe, seeking a fresh start. On the Scheme, former enemies and allies worked side by side, forming a tight knit “Snowy family.”
Learn more about the iconic Snowy Hydro and how it helped shape modern Australia: snowyhydro.com.au/about/history
1960s
1961 Mains electricity from the Kiewa Scheme connected to Corryong
Hume Pipe Factory opens to manufacture steel pressure pipes for the S.M. A. Murray 1 and Murray 2 Power Stations. This was the biggest industry in the town.
1962 Sewerage works completed. Corryong says good bye to the dunny can! The town is now fully flushing!
Main wing of Corryong High School burnt to the ground.
1964 Corryong Aerodrome opened
TV transmission is established in Corryong
1966 The introduction of Decimal Currency - Farewell to the pounds, shillings and pence.
Corryong Centenary of the first arrival of Selectors to the District (Harris, Briggs and Kiell)
Australia becomes involved in the Vietnam War - 17 Upper Murray men served throughout the campaign, both enlisted and drafted.
Corryong sees the end of “Six O’clock Closing”. Pubs allowed to remain open to 10 pm.
1969 The Corryong Memorial Swimming Pool opens for business.
1970s
1971 New Upper Murray Shire Offices open
1972 The Last Picture Show – Saturday 1 July 1970. The last movie Diamonds are Forever is screened at the Corryong & District Memorial Hall Civic Theatre.
Regular showings of weekly movies became the victim of television. The “Top Picture Theatre” closed not long after.
1978 Last Train (A Tourist Train) to Cudgewa
1980s
1986 Murray Goulburn closed the butter factory.
1988 Corryong celebrates the Bicentenary by erecting the Galleon in Apex Park
1990s
1990 Corryong High School becomes Corryong College
1992 The Man from Snowy River film released. Directed by George Miller and starring Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Terence Donovan and Sigrid Thornton.
1994 On 4 November the Shire of the Upper Murray and the Tallangatta Shire are amalgamated to form the Shire of Towong (as per 1920)
1995
The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival
The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival launches into a new modern format.
From this beginning, the Festival has grown into a beloved national event that celebrates the Australian High Country and way of life, attracting thousands of people to Corryong each April: bushfestival.com.au
The Upper Murray’s connection to A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson — and his meeting with Jack Riley through the Mitchell family — continues to spark passionate debate over the true identity of The Man from Snowy River.
2000
Corryong College and the Corryong Consolidated Primary School merge to operate as one school.
The schools are operating on two different sites.
2019 - 2020
Bushfires
The destructive 2019/20 bushfires swept through the district burning down many homes and sheds and closely threatened the town
Covid 19 Pandemic shuts down the town.
Corryong Celebrates 150 Years of Rich History
In July 2025, Corryong proudly celebrates 150 years since its official proclamation.
The community invites you to be part of this historic milestone through a month-long celebration, with events concentrated around 19–27 July and permanent month-long installations on display from early in the month.
From unique events to one-off installations and lasting tributes, Corryong’s 150-year story will be honoured in exciting and memorable ways.
Discover more about the 150 Year Celebrations.