Division of Echuca

Echuca
Australian House of Representatives Division
Created1901
Abolished1937
NamesakeEchuca

The Division of Echuca was an Australian electoral division in the state of Victoria. The division was proclaimed in 1900, and was one of the original 65 divisions to be contested at the first federal election. After 1919, it was a safe seat for the Country Party. It was abolished in 1937.

The division was named for the town of Echuca. It was located in the Murray Valley area, including the towns of Echuca, Kyabram, Rochester and Shepparton.[1] In 1913, it gained the areas of Seymour, Kilmore, Broadford and Lancefield from the abolished Division of Mernda, and Heathcote from the Division of Bendigo.[2][3]

When the division of Echuca was abolished in 1937, it was split into three and replaced by:[1]

  • the Division of Indi (at the north-eastern portion, including Kyabram, Shepparton, Euroa, Violet Town and Yarrawonga)[4]
  • the Division of Bendigo (at the north-western and south-western portions, including Echuca, Rochester, Heathcote and Lancefield)[3]
  • the new Division of Deakin (at the south-eastern portion, including Seymour, Broadford and Wandong)[5]

However, 12 years later in 1949, a new Division of Murray was created and it covered similar areas and boundaries to the division of Echuca prior to the latter's abolition, except the areas of Seymour and south of it, which became the new Division of Lalor.[6] The last member for Echuca, John McEwen, became member for Indi during the 12 years, and then became the first member for Murray.

Members

[edit]
Image Member Party Term Notes
  James McColl
(1844–1929)
Protectionist 29 March 1901
1904
Previously held the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Gunbower. Transferred to the Senate
  Free Trade 1904 –
1906
  Anti-Socialist 1906 –
8 November 1906
  Albert Palmer
(1859–1919)
12 December 1906
26 May 1909
Died in office
  Liberal 26 May 1909 –
17 February 1917
  Nationalist 17 February 1917 –
14 August 1919
  William Hill
(1866–1939)
Victorian Farmers' Union 20 September 1919
22 January 1920
Served as minister under Bruce. Retired
  Country 22 January 1920 –
7 August 1934
  John McEwen
(1900–1980)
15 September 1934
23 October 1937
Transferred to the Division of Indi after Echuca was abolished in 1937

Election results

[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Echuca". Parliamentary Handbook. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Mernda". Parliamentary Handbook. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Bendigo". Parliamentary Handbook. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Indi". Parliamentary Handbook. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Deakin". Parliamentary Handbook. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Murray". Parliamentary Handbook. Retrieved 9 June 2025.