| State | vic |
|---|---|
| Dist 1 | 180 |
| Dir 1 | E |
| Location 1 | Melbourne |
| Dist 2 | 20 |
| Dir 2 | W |
| Location 2 | Erica |
| Lga | Shire of Baw Baw |
| Coordinates | 37°56′48″S 146°18′37″E |
Western Tyers was a small town in the Gippsland region of eastern Victoria, Australia, founded as a timber community in the late 19th century and at its peak home to around 500 residents.[1] It is located on the Western Tyers River, approximately 20 kilometres west of Erica, and about 180 kilometres east of Melbourne. The nearby mountains form part of the Baw Baw Ranges, themselves forming part of the much larger Great Dividing Range.
Whilst only one original house still stands, Western Tyers once possessed a school, post office and public hall. The Western Tyers State School opened in 1942 and closed on 29 March 1968.[2][3] At the time of its closure, it only had pupils from two families and was described as "dilapidated" by The Age, which published an article titled: "Is Western Tyers the worst school in Victoria?".[4][5]
Until 1969, it was a functioning community but with the closure of the timber mill all the remaining residents left. The town site was bought privately in 1970 as freehold.
References
- ^ "Meaning of Regional Victoria" (MS Word requires download). Department of State Development, Business and Innovation. State Government of Victoria. 2011. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
- ^ "Western Tyers State School - Number 4603". Victorian Government. Archived 22 June 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "No, 4603, Western Tyers State School, 1942–1968". Morwell Historical Society. 1970. p. 58. Archived 1 April 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ McLaughlin, Peter (20 March 1968). "Is Western Tyers the worst school in Victoria?". The Age. p. 1. Archived 22 June 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ McLaughlin, Peter (20 March 1968). "MAKE-DO SCHOOLS". The Age. p. 7. Archived 22 June 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 June 2025.