Conclusion

High Camp’s history is one of both continuity and change. From its First Nations history to the rise and fall of the railway and the enduring presence and contribution of farming families, the district reflects broader patterns across regional Victoria.

Preserving and sharing these stories is one way to ensure High Camp’s legacy continues into the future to inspire new generations.

High Camp Project Acknowledgements

  • Taungurung Clans and their History: Taungurung Land and Water Council
  • Mollison Park – A Brief history of Alexander Mollison’s Pyalong Station and the Pyalong District from 1937. Draft. Xavier Duff 2025
  • Pyalong: A brief History. Back to Pyalong Committee 1968
  • Crawford’s High Camp Journal. Walter Crawford 1953
  • Trove Newspaper Archive. National Library of Australia
  • Kilmore Connections Issue 88 and 89, Leonard and Jane Stimson by Heather Knight.
  • Farewell to the “Timber Line.” The History of the Heathcote Junction to Bendigo and Associated Railways Keith W. Turton

Photographs

  • Photo Images Stimson Family Archive Norman W Stimson
  • Leonie and Loretta Ryan
  • Chris Cooke
  • Tim Laugher
  • Graeme Crawford
  • Friends of the Bendigo to Kilmore Rail Trail
  • The Kilmore Historical Society

Oral History

This Oral History draws on the knowledge, memories and generosity of local residents and contributors. Their willingness to share their stories has made this work possible.

Additional information has been sourced from archival records, historical publications and local research materials.

Oral history participants

  • Norman W. Stimson, Colin Stimson
  • Ray and Frances Fullard
  • John and Sue Leahy
  • Graeme Crawford
  • Des McLean
  • Leonie and Loretta Ryan

Footnote

Compilers of this oral history accept that it is not a complete record of High Camp’s early days.

The content of oral history interviews is personal, experiential and interpretive because, by its very nature, it relies on the memories, perceptions and opinions of individuals. 

Some of the additional information in this project has been drawn from historic newspaper reports which also rely in part on people’s understanding and interpretation of events. Therefore, we ask you to kindly read this history with this in mind.