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Trentham, Victoria

Trentham Victoria
High Street
Trentham
Coordinates	37°23′0″S 144°19′0″E / 37.38333°S 144.31667°E / -37.38333; 144.31667
Population	1,180 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	3458
Elevation	700 m (2,297 ft)
Location	22 km (14 mi) SW of Kyneton 24 km (15 mi) E of Daylesford 69 km (43 mi) NE of Ballarat 87 km (54 mi) NW of Melbourne
LGA(s)	Shire of Hepburn Shire of Moorabool
State electorate(s)	Macedon
Federal division(s)	Ballarat
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 15.6 °C 60 °F 7.0 °C 45 °F 1,110.9 mm 43.7 in
Localities around Trentham: Little Hampton Spring Hill Tylden Tylden South Lyonville Trentham Fern Hill Trentham East Newbury Blackwood North Blackwood

Trentham is a town in the Shire of Hepburn and Shire of Moorabool local government area of West Central Victoria, Australia. At the 2016 census, Trentham had a population of 1,180, with a median age of 55 years.^[1] Located at an altitude of 700 metres (2,297 ft), the town is 87 kilometres (54 mi) north-west of Melbourne. The Trentham area is located on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal people.

Although pastoral runs were taken up in the area as early as 1838, Trentham was first settled by gold prospectors in the 1850s, and later developed for its timber resources from the surrounding Wombat State Forest. The Post Office opened on 16 July 1862.^[2]

The railway arrived in 1880. At its peak, it carried up to 21,000 tonnes of freight annually, mostly timber. Two timber tramways once ran to the station from the surrounding forests and, in the early 20th century, there was a timber mill adjoining the station yard. In 1972 "Dr Gwen" died after serving the town for over 30 years. A grateful public had a clock installed in her memory.^[3]

The railway was closed in 1978 after better roads were built in the 1950s.^[4] The station now houses the Trentham Agricultural and Railway Museum. The station building has been restored, the platform is in good condition, and the yard is mainly intact and includes some rolling stock.

The township experiences large influxes of non-migratory birds, notably pelicans and falcons, which has led to them featuring on the towns crest and motto "Tu falco agitare et cum Pelicanis volare", roughly transcribed from Latin as "to drive a falcon and fly with pelicans".^{[dubious – discuss][citation needed]}

Due to a fertile strip of red volcanic soil, grazing, and tourism, potato growing became the mainstays of the town's economy.^{[citation needed]}

The climate is cool and damp for much of the year: the mean maximum in high summer (February) is 23.2 °C, minima fall to around 11.8 °C; whereas winters are distinctly cold with the mean maximum temperature 7.8 °C (July) and mean minimum, 2.5 °C. The coldest temperature recorded was –6.0 °C (not particularly low due to heavy cloud cover); sleet and snow are common in winter, with an average of 7.8 snowy days per annum.^[5] By mean maximum temperature, it is the coldest proper town in Victoria; only the isolated rural localities of Tolmie and Aberfeldy are colder.

Trentham has an average annual precipitation of 1110.9 mm; the highest single-day rainfall was 154.9 mm, and the highest monthly rainfall was 317.5 mm. The region has a distinct winter rainfall maximum. Rainfall occurs through the summer but tends to be more erratic and unreliable, often occurring in heavy thunderstorms associated with cold fronts.^[6]

Near Trentham is Trentham Falls on the Coliban River–the highest single-drop waterfall in Victoria.^[9] There are also several mineral springs near the town.

The annual Great Trentham Spudfest has been running since 2008, celebrating Trentham's potato-growing heritage.^[10]

The town has an Australian Rules football team, the Trentham Saints, competing in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League.^[11]

The Trentham Golf Club is on Falls Road.^[12]

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