A milestone passed by that Gippslanders would have been unaware even existed.
Keen historian Susan Webster from Agribusiness Gippsland sent a note out last week to remind people that 12 March was the region’s naming day.
She says that’s the date that the name ‘Gippsland’ was used for the first time.
“On, or very close to 12 March 1840, the explorer Count Paul Strzelecki climbed over the top of Mount Kosciusko, looked south and named all the heavily-timbered country before him as Gippsland, to honour the NSW Governor George Gipps,” she wrote.
In those days, Victoria was part of the colony of New South Wales.
“Strzelecki, who is featured on a monument on Traralgon’s eastern outskirts, was struggling to the end of a trek south from Sydney.
“In the desperate slog between Moe and Western Port his team had to eat raw koala to stay alive. These days, we prefer Gippsland cheese, milk, vegetables and beef.”
Ms Webster says Gippsland naming day is not a celebration, because Gippslanders are aware of the injustices inflicted on the Gunai-Kurnai, the Kulin and the Bidhawal peoples.
“However, we should note the date of 12 March as recognition of the land and the prosperity it bestows.”
