Early Exploration and Settlement
The Kaniva district was first explored by squatter Heighway Jones from South Australia in 1845. By 1846, he claimed to have sheep grazing in the area, and the Tattyara run was officially gazetted in 1851. The original Tattyara homestead was located just a few kilometres from the current township. The name Tattyara was derived from the Tyatyalla Aboriginal people, who inhabited the district.
The Rise of Early Townships
The first township in the area was Lawloit, which began to develop during the 1860s. The arrival of the first land selector in 1875 marked the beginning of settlement, with many more settlers arriving from 1879 onwards. These pioneers established wheat farms and began a process known as ‘mullenising’ the land—using a red-gum roller invented by a South Australian named Mullens to clear the mallee scrub. The roller, measuring three metres long and one metre in diameter, was hauled by a team of ten bullocks. The flattened trees were then burnt, and the land was ploughed for cropping.
The Kaniva district was first explored by squatter Heighway Jones from South Australia in 1845. By 1846, he claimed to have sheep grazing in the area, and the Tattyara run was officially gazetted in 1851. The original Tattyara homestead was located just a few kilometres from the current township. The name Tattyara was derived from the Tyatyalla Aboriginal people, who inhabited the district.
The Rise of Early Townships
The first township in the area was Lawloit, which began to develop during the 1860s. The arrival of the first land selector in 1875 marked the beginning of settlement, with many more settlers arriving from 1879 onwards. These pioneers established wheat farms and began a process known as ‘mullenising’ the land—using a red-gum roller invented by a South Australian named Mullens to clear the mallee scrub. The roller, measuring three metres long and one metre in diameter, was hauled by a team of ten bullocks. The flattened trees were then burnt, and the land was ploughed for cropping.
Development of Kaniva
Lillimur South began to take shape in the late 1870s, followed soon after by Lillimur North. Around the same time, a small settlement known as Budjik—meaning ‘stone axe’—emerged on Budjik Hill. The establishment of a flour mill and grain shed in 1881 encouraged further development. In April 1882, the opening of a post office on the site saw the settlement officially renamed Kaniva.
Lillimur South began to take shape in the late 1870s, followed soon after by Lillimur North. Around the same time, a small settlement known as Budjik—meaning ‘stone axe’—emerged on Budjik Hill. The establishment of a flour mill and grain shed in 1881 encouraged further development. In April 1882, the opening of a post office on the site saw the settlement officially renamed Kaniva.
Mrs. Rich, writing in a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Rowe, shared her memories of Budjik in its earliest days:
“When we first arrived in the district, there was no Kaniva township. The area where the town now stands was covered in dense scrub, mostly small buloke trees. Later, Fry & Co. built the flour mill. I remember working on my farm about a quarter of a mile away when it first started operating. I could hear it running, but the timber was so thick I couldn’t see it.
Not long after, Bond and Taylor opened a shop on the opposite corner of the crossroads. I believe I was their first customer—I bought a mowing machine, what we called a scythe back then, to cut some of our first hay crop.
During wheat carting season, I once counted twenty teams of bullocks stopped at the crossroads in front of Pomeroy’s Hotel (now Commercial Hotel). It was a bustling place in those days—dusty if the wind blew, but far more convenient.”
Indeed, everything became more accessible with the arrival of the railway. It was the train that truly brought Kaniva to life in 1886!
Origin of the Name Kaniva
The name Kaniva has a few possible origins. One account according to The Life Story of JH Champness, suggests it was “Kaniaeva,” an Indigenous name recorded on the original station map that referred to the Overseer's Hut on Tatiara at Woolshed Hill. Another theory holds that the hut may have been named after Kinnivie near Durham, The Post Master General conferred the name Kaniva in 1881, Before the official naming, the area was widely known as Budjik Hill, and local newspapers of the 1870s and 1880s described it as “Budjik’s breezy slopes.”
Growth of a Country Town
As Kaniva grew, it quickly outpaced neighbouring settlements. The town soon boasted several stores, two hotels, a mechanics institute, a school, a Wesleyan church, and various other businesses. This growth led to a decline in the fortunes of Lawloit and the two Lillimurs—an outcome that was met with some resentment by their residents. Kaniva was officially gazetted in 1885 and gained even more importance with the arrival of the railway in 1886.
Find out more
Visitors may also find plaques of interest, depicting the history of the main street businesses along Commercial St.
NB Information thanks to local history books and Victorian Places.
Recommended reading: Tattyara: A history of Kaniva District by Les Blake
For more history of Kaniva, contact the Kaniva Historical Museum which houses an extensive range of household items and farming memorabilia. It is a great resource for family history and has history books of Kaniva available for purchase. 111 Commercial St Kaniva.
Contacts:
Bruce Meyer, Ph 0437 261 280 or 0407 312 096
Wendy Meyer, Ph 0407 312 906
To research family history, contact Ross & Fran McDonald. The genealogy group meet at the Old Kaniva Shire Offices, Baker St, off Commercial St, opposite Mobil Roadhouse.
Walking tour
Download Actionbound to do a free heritage walking tour.
“When we first arrived in the district, there was no Kaniva township. The area where the town now stands was covered in dense scrub, mostly small buloke trees. Later, Fry & Co. built the flour mill. I remember working on my farm about a quarter of a mile away when it first started operating. I could hear it running, but the timber was so thick I couldn’t see it.
Not long after, Bond and Taylor opened a shop on the opposite corner of the crossroads. I believe I was their first customer—I bought a mowing machine, what we called a scythe back then, to cut some of our first hay crop.
During wheat carting season, I once counted twenty teams of bullocks stopped at the crossroads in front of Pomeroy’s Hotel (now Commercial Hotel). It was a bustling place in those days—dusty if the wind blew, but far more convenient.”
Indeed, everything became more accessible with the arrival of the railway. It was the train that truly brought Kaniva to life in 1886!
Origin of the Name Kaniva
The name Kaniva has a few possible origins. One account according to The Life Story of JH Champness, suggests it was “Kaniaeva,” an Indigenous name recorded on the original station map that referred to the Overseer's Hut on Tatiara at Woolshed Hill. Another theory holds that the hut may have been named after Kinnivie near Durham, The Post Master General conferred the name Kaniva in 1881, Before the official naming, the area was widely known as Budjik Hill, and local newspapers of the 1870s and 1880s described it as “Budjik’s breezy slopes.”
Growth of a Country Town
As Kaniva grew, it quickly outpaced neighbouring settlements. The town soon boasted several stores, two hotels, a mechanics institute, a school, a Wesleyan church, and various other businesses. This growth led to a decline in the fortunes of Lawloit and the two Lillimurs—an outcome that was met with some resentment by their residents. Kaniva was officially gazetted in 1885 and gained even more importance with the arrival of the railway in 1886.
Find out more
Visitors may also find plaques of interest, depicting the history of the main street businesses along Commercial St.
NB Information thanks to local history books and Victorian Places.
Recommended reading: Tattyara: A history of Kaniva District by Les Blake
For more history of Kaniva, contact the Kaniva Historical Museum which houses an extensive range of household items and farming memorabilia. It is a great resource for family history and has history books of Kaniva available for purchase. 111 Commercial St Kaniva.
Contacts:
Bruce Meyer, Ph 0437 261 280 or 0407 312 096
Wendy Meyer, Ph 0407 312 906
To research family history, contact Ross & Fran McDonald. The genealogy group meet at the Old Kaniva Shire Offices, Baker St, off Commercial St, opposite Mobil Roadhouse.
Walking tour
Download Actionbound to do a free heritage walking tour.
Kaniva, first and last highway town in Victoria.
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