The County of Grenville is a cadastral county in western Victoria, proclaimed on 10 January 1849. It covers about 3,794 km² northeast of Lake Corangamite, taking in Cressy and reaching to the southern edge of Ballarat.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | Victoria |
| Region | Western Victoria, northeast of Lake Corangamite |
| Proclaimed | 10 January 1849 |
| Area | 3,794 km² (1,465 sq mi) |
| Principal towns | Cressy, Smythesdale, Scarsdale, Rokewood |
| Local government area today | Golden Plains Shire, City of Ballarat, Corangamite Shire |
Parishes in Grenville County
- Argyle
- Ballaarat
- Bungaree
- Cardigan
- Carngham
- Clarkesdale
- Commeralghip
- Corindhap
- Cressy
- Cundare
- Dereel
- Doroq
- Dreeite
- Enfield
- Gellibrand
- Haddon
- Hesse
- Karngun
- Kurac-a-ruc
- Lawaluk
- Lynchfield
- Mannibadar
- Mindai
- Mirnee
- Mortchup
- Murdeduke
- Naringhil North
- Naringhil South
- Ondit
- Poliah North
- Poliah South
- Poorneet
- Scarsdale
- Shelford
- Shelford West
- Smythesdale
- Turkeeth
- Wallinduc
- Warracbarunah
- Warrambine
- Warrion
- Weering
- Wilgul North
- Wilgul South
- Windermere
- Wingeel
- Wurrook
- Yarima
- Yarrowee
Towns and Localities Today
Cressy, in the county’s centre, remains its main service town for the surrounding grazing district. Smythesdale and Scarsdale, former gold towns south of Ballarat, sit within Golden Plains Shire, while Rokewood serves the county’s western parishes.
Geography
Grenville is bounded by the Yarrowee River to the east and part of the Barwon River to the south. It borders Ripon to the north, Grant to the east and south, Hampden to the west, and Heytesbury and Polwarth to the south.
History
Grenville was proclaimed a county on 10 January 1849, one of Victoria’s earliest cadastral divisions, predating the gold rush that later built Smythesdale and Scarsdale on its northern edge in the 1850s.
FAQ
Is Grenville County still used?
Grenville survives in land titles and property descriptions but has no government function today. Golden Plains Shire, City of Ballarat and Corangamite Shire administer local government in the area.
Where is Grenville County?
It sits in western Victoria northeast of Lake Corangamite, taking in Cressy and reaching to the southern edge of Ballarat.
What towns are in Grenville County?
Cressy, Smythesdale, Scarsdale and Rokewood are the county’s main towns.