14 August 2008

A brief history of Forrest

The settlement of Forrest was due to land developers cashing in on the new Railway in approx lates 1890's.  Initially Yaugher became the district centre, and by the late 1880's it had a School and a church. The only cemetery in the region was established then and still stands today amidst the new Mountain Bike trails.

The terrain allowed the railway to proceed beyond Yaugher and while the survey was plotted to Baramunga, however this was terminated due to costs, and hence the new station which then became known as Forrest.  Named after Charles Forrest a local Parliamentarian, who worked hard to secure the railway. In 1892 William Pengilly purchased the premises on the Nth end of Station street to operate as a Hotel.

By the early 1900's Forrest boasted a Bank, A General Store, Boarding House, Police station, Bake house, Butcher, welfare centre and the famous "Terminus Hotel".

In 1943 the Post Office shifted to Mrs Frizon shop, which had a manual Telephone exchange, and wasn't replaced until the 1970's.  The commercial bank opened in 1903, which was opened in account of the payrolls being generated by the saw mills, and closed in the late 1960's.

Alf Frizon opened a small Mill in Forrest in 1947, Sharp's Saw mill started construction on their own mill around the same time.  Surprisingly it wasn't until 1955 that Forrest was "lit up" by the introduction of Electricty.  In 1957 the Birregurra - Forrest railway was closed due to the increase in use of Motor transport.

1965 the West Barwon dam was declared open. This dam provides water not only for the local district, but also forms part of the water supply for the Greater Geelong region.  Consequently in 1967 Forrest was blessed with town water supply.

The Terminus Hotel, was originally a wooden structure that boasted some 9 boarding rooms, until it burned to the ground in 1996 and resulted in the tragic loss of the then publicans son in the fire.   The new building was constructed not long after and remains today.

It wasn't until approximately 2003 when the last of the mills closed.  This brought a response from the then State government to review the economic impact on the Town.  Hence a study was released that suggested that Mountain Bike Trails be established as a focal point of a new tourism lead industry.  This decision was compounded by the cessation of logging on crown land.
Local Jeff Fox was sought to assist in the development of these trails.  Glen Jacobs was assigned the task of managing and providing the technical knowhow.

Forrest is now considered the gateway to The Otway Ranges National Park.  Tourism now forms the basis of the towns economy, with a very bright future.  The Forrest people are represented by a very active community group.  The Forrest Master Plan can be viewed here.