Floods & Fires, Casterton, Victoria, Australia

Floods & Fires

Casterton District, South-West Victoria, Australia

Fires of 1951: "Black Thursday"

Thursday February 6th, 1851 became known as "Black Thursday" due to the severity of the bushfires that raged in Victoria.

Floods of 1893-4

Highest flood recorded to that time since the town of Casterton was founded in 1846

Carapook Fire of 1900

Fire broke out at Carapook and burnt towards Coleraine as reported in the West Wimmera Mail, Friday February 2nd, 1900.
Considerable damage was done to property and fodder supplies.
Newspaper Report

Fires of 1901

February 6th, 1901, 50 years to the day after "Black Thursday" fires again raged in the district around Casterton.
Some of the large stations which were almost burnt out were "Clunie", Kadnook", Spring Valley" and "Mullagh".

Flood of 1906

Sunday, July 21st, 1906 was the main day of the flood with the flood peak on Monday, July 22nd, 1906.
Four inches of rain were recorded on Saturday, July 20th, 1906 and it did not stop until raining until Monday night.
Glenelg River was two to three feet higher than the 1994 flood, which had been the highest since the founding of Casterton in 1846.
Significant stock losses and damage to buildings in the lower part of town.
Many rescues and lucky escapes for residents of Casterton.

Carapook Fire of 1919

Fire broke out about 11:00 am, Friday February 15th, 1919 and burnt as far as "Merino Creek".
Considerable damage was done to property and fodder supplies.

Fires of 1939: "Black Friday"

Friday January 13th, 1939 became known in Victoria as "Black Friday"
Lake Mundi, west of casterton was one of the worst hit areas in the Casterton district.
Albert McGINTY, 4 year old son of Ted and Mary McGINTY died from burns as he and his mother carrying his younger brother, Leslie tried to escape the fire at Lake Mundi, west of Casterton.

Flood of 1946

Sunday March 17th, 1946 was remembered as "The Big Flood" in the Sandford and Casterton area.
628 points of rain fell in four days, commencing Friday March 16th, 1946..
On the Saturday night the Glenelg River was rising at the rate of one foot per hour.
Major MITCHELL's monument on the Sandford Road south of Casterton was covered almost to the top.
Dramatic rescues at DALEY's farm resulted in the award of the Royal Humane Society's Siver Medal for bravery to the following mem of Casterton:
- James Jerome "Gus" MURRAY, First Constable of Police
- Andrew George PATTERSON, First Constable of Police
- Victor Raymond ALDRIDGE, Truck Driver
- Charles Lester NORRIS, Farmer
- Albert James "Alby" BAUGH, Labourer
- Edward J. OSBORNE, Merchant

1955 Fire at Langkoop & Poolaijelo "Black Sunday"

The worst fire in the history of the Glenelg Shire started on January 2nd, 1955 in the Langkoop-Poolaijelo area and burnt 25 miles to the Glenelg River.
The heavy losses included six houses, 19,000 sheep, 230 cattle, 8 woolsheds and 6 motor vehicles.
Ivan STONE of Langkoop, lost his life while trying to save property.

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