Sale

The city of Sale is located in the Gippsland region of the Australian state of Victoria. The area known as Sale was first inhabited by the Gunaikurnai people for thousands of years before European settlement. The first European explorers to visit the area were led by explorer George Bass who sailed through the strait that now bears his name in 1797. It wasn't until 1844 that the first white settler, Archibald McIntosh, established a station in the area. In 1848, the town of Sale was surveyed and established on the banks of the Thomson River. The town's name comes from the Aboriginal word "sael" which means "river". This area proved popular with European settlers, particularly after the discovery of gold in the nearby regions of Gippsland and Omeo in the 1850s. During the 1860s and 1870s, Sale grew rapidly due to the opening of the Gippsland railway line, which connected the town to Melbourne. This allowed for easier transportation of goods and people, and the town quickly became an important centre for agriculture, timber, and dairying. In 1877, Sale was officially proclaimed as a city. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many of the city's major buildings were constructed, including the town hall, the courthouse, and the post office. During World War II, Sale was home to a large RAAF base, which played an important role in Australia's defence efforts. After the war, the base became a training school for Australian and Allied air forces, and it remains an important part of the city's economy today. Today, Sale is a thriving regional city with a population of around 14,000 people. It is the largest city in the Wellington Shire, which covers an area of around 11,000 square kilometres. The city is home to a variety of industries, including agriculture, forestry, and tourism. It remains an important hub for transport and communication in the Gippsland region, and is home to a number of major businesses and government organisations. Sale's rich history can be seen throughout the city, with many of its beautiful heritage buildings still standing today. The Sale Historical Society operates a local museum, which tells the story of the city from its early days as a sheep station to the thriving regional centre it is today. In conclusion, the history of Sale is deeply rooted in the Gippsland region and its development over the years. From the first inhabitants of the land to the establishment of the city, Sale has grown into an important and vibrant regional centre with a rich history that is still visible today.