ABOUT TRENTHAM
Trentham is just over an hour northwest of Melbourne on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Trentham is a charming small town edged on three sides by the Wombat State Forest. Heritage-lined streets lead to cosy cafés, boutique stores, and Victoria’s highest single-drop waterfall.
WHERE WE LIVE
Here, on top of the Great Dividing Range, adjacent to the Wombat Forest, a myriad of creeks flow north from the forest to form the basis of the Loddon, Coliban and Campaspe River systems, with Stony and Trent Creek flowing through the town, creating recreational open spaces.
The combination of forest, rich soil and high rainfall has provided for a variety of agricultural and industrial pursuits since the establishment of the town.
These same elements now foster a wider range of activities and practices, including regenerative and organic farming alongside the staple potato.
Trentham is a well-resourced service town for its residents in many types of occupation, perhaps not least, those working from home. An increasing retiree component has created a range of recreational activities and interest groups, while the local sporting clubs create busy weekends for families. Weekend visitors also discover a range of activities in town and the district.
TOWN HISTORY
Until the Blackwood gold rush in 1855, the few European occupants of the Trentham district were shepherds, timber splitters and some early saw millers. Victoria had separated from NSW in 1851, and gold had been discovered almost immediately.
As a conveniently placed stop between Kyneton, Woodend and the Blackwood diggings, Trentham developed as a supplier for the goldfields, despite its often impassable and isolated roads. The timber industry supported the mining ventures, housing construction, and railway infrastructure, with mills in many parts of the district. It fostered a range of local industries, including the Trewella Foundry, and a varied social life and recreational activities.
Population fluctuated in the latter part of the 20th century but community life thrived with the hard work of volunteers, creating a rich array of interests and associations in our present time.
The Trentham and District Historical Society has amassed a significant collection of resources, maps and artifacts. Research has produced many information publications, not least “Trentham – an incomplete history”, published in 2025. A detailed timeline is displayed here: trenthamhistoricalsociety.org.au
Visit the Historical Society at 3 Camp St, Trentham. Further information available on their website: trenthamhistoricalsociety.org.au
DJA DJA WARRUNG
Here on the catchment of the Coliban River, we are located on unceded Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Djandak.
Dja Dja Wurrung country extends from the Great Dividing Range from the north, including the catchments of the Avoca and Loddon Rivers, to the southern Shire boundary. East of our town includes Wurrundjeri Country, and to the west, we are bordered by Wadawurrung Country.
On these lands, Traditional Owners have performed age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation, and renewal.
Connecting to Country, Djandak, can be developed by caring for these special lands, through awareness of local flora and fauna, and in contributing to healing practices, particularly on our waterways.
To this end, removal of weeds from local creeks has seen the return of the Bright-eyed Butterfly, a special cooler climate species. There is now ongoing work on Trent and Stony Creeks to encourage the flourishing of this flagship species,
Hepburn Shire Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan - INNOVATE represents a commitment to healing, learning, and building respectful, lasting partnerships with the Traditional Owners.
“I’d like the rest of the world to know that Dja Dja Wurrung still exist. We are still here as a People. We are proud and value our Culture. We honour our Martinga guli, and everything that we do, we are doing on behalf of our Martinga guli, who didn’t have the voice that we have today.”
Aunty Fay Carter, Dja Dja Wurrung Elder – view source website
Further information is available via the links below:
About Trentham Community Action
"We work together to build a stronger and more resilient future for the town and district through active representation, advocacy and collaboration.”
Trentham Community Action Inc. was formed in November 2024, following on from the Trentham Forum, which had not been active for some years. As a small town in a small Local Government area, much of what is achieved for the benefit and strengthening of our community is through the efforts of residents who volunteer across a large number of organisations, sporting and recreational activities.
A central town organisation is working to provide improved communication and increased access. Public meetings have been convened to encourage residents to express concerns and collaborate on worthwhile projects.