BULN BULN - THE TOWN
The name Buln Buln comes from the local aboriginal word for the Lyrebird - Bullin Bullin.
The township of Buln Buln is the approximate border of the Bunerong Clan of Westerport District and the Woiworung ( sometimes referred to as the Wurrundjeri ) Clan to the north west. Both clans belong to the Kulin Tribe which ranged from Central Victoria north of Melbourne, to Westernport Bay in the south and as far east as Moe.
European settlement of the area originated at Brandy Creek, 4 KM west of Buln Buln. Brandy Creek was named in 1865 but there was nothing there. It was just a resting place and watering hole for those mustering cattle to the sale yards in Melbourne, and gold prospectors on their way to the diggings at Walhalla, Baw Baw and Crossover Creek. It was on a path known as "Campbells Track", which is now Old Sale Rd. This track was named after Archibald Campbell who received an 8300 Pound ($16600) reward for finding a pathway through the swamps from the east, and cutting a track west to to "Drovers Rest" (now Shady Creek) In 1867 Cobb and Co Coaches began operating on the track and a coach staging and bush supply depot was built at Brandy Creek. Also about this time a Mr Jack Connor built a boarding house there and the township was up and away. In 1868 the Government built a Toll Gate ( nothings changed !!! ) and those droving cattle up the track had to pay sixpence per head of cattle. This was the cattle bogged up the muddy road and the coaches had trouble passing through. This toll money was used for improvements to the coach road. Mr Hugh Fraser was appointed to collect these tolls and in 1873 he was also appointed the to operate the first Post Office in the town, and this generally regarded as the beginning of permanent settlement in the area, although there were very few residents for several years. In 1874 the Post Office decided to call the town Buln Buln and up to 1890 the town was known under both names.
In 1873 plans had been layed for a proposed rail line from Melbourne to Sale and this caused a flood of farm selectors to the area. This rail line was to pass 10 KM to the south of Brandy Creek. Also in 1873 John Lardner surveyed a track to the south of Brandy Creek / Buln Buln and this opened up farm land east and west along the proposed rail line. The town of Warragul began as a supply depot for the workers on the Rail Line. A Mr Biram saw great possibiities in this new area and he opened the first store in 1876 on the railway reserve that was to become the toen of Warragul.
The rail line was opened in 1878 and with the development of the township of Warragul, the settlement in BrandyCreek / Biln Biln went into decline.
In 1890 a branch rail line was established from Warragul through to Rokeby, and later on as far as Noojee. This branch line passed to the east of Brandy Creek / Buln Buln and a rail station initially called Dwyerstead was built where the line crossed Old Sale Rd. A township was developed around this Station area and Brandy Creek / Buln Buln was relocated to this area. This new town was to use the name Buln Buln allowing the original settlement to revert to its original name of Brandy Creek.
The last train to run on this branch line was 1958. Platts Rd was originally part of the Old Sale Rd and the railway crossing was located between the entrance to the ground and the Church.
The Buln Buln Recreation Reserve was developed on the old railway reserve in 1978 and the Football Club change rooms are located where the original train station stood.
