PIONEERING WORK... The Australian Draught Horse was bred specifically by settlers to suit Australia’s harsh climate and conditions. They were used in colonial and later times for agricultural work, pulling, transportation and forestry. Photos: Courtesy of Tatura Museum
FROM the grazing of squatters in the 1840s to the introduction of irrigation in the late 1800s, agriculture has been the backbone of Tatura’s prosperity. Early land selectors reaped the benefits of fertile soils and the introduction of irrigation in 1889 allowed for diverse farming, from wheat to dairy. By the 20th century, irrigation paved the way for fruit and dairy farming, solidifying Tatura as a premier agricultural hub in Victoria. The Tatura Research Station, established in 1937, played a pivotal role in developing local crop varieties, notably the Tatura tomato, key to the canning industry.
PIONEERING WORK… The Australian Draught Horse was bred specifically by settlers to suit Australia’s harsh climate and conditions. They were used in colonial and later times for agricultural work, pulling, transportation and forestry. Photos: Courtesy of Tatura MuseumINNOVATION… More than 50 years ago, the foundation for the Tatura Trellis was laid at the Tatura Research Institute in Victoria. Researchers observed that fruit growers were producing more wood than fruit, which came at a significant cost. Additionally, their methods of soil management and tree irrigation often led to inefficient water use and widespread tree losses during wet seasons. It became clear that a complete shift in thinking was needed to develop long-term solutions that would make fruit growing, especially in the Goulburn Valley, sustainable, profitable, and viable. In 1973, a team of researchers from various disciplines collaborated to devise a comprehensive blueprint for orchardists to follow, a model still used globally today. AGRICULTURE… Draft horses and workmen pictured during construction at Waranga Basin. Waranga Basin was the first major dam constructed in Australia. The first stage of construction began in 1905 using only picks, shovels and horse drawn scoops. At the time, the 8.8 metres high and seven kilometre long embankment was the largest project of its kind in the world!
