French Island (Victoria) - History

History

  • According to Aboriginal tribal songs, the Bunarong Tribe lived and hunted on French Island, until they were massacred by a warring Gippsland tribe.
  • April 1802 - First discovered by Europeans when a French expedition from the ship La Naturaliste explored the area, naming it Île de Françoise, since anglicised as French Island.
  • 1847 - First settled by William and John Gardner.
  • 1880s - Koalas introduced to the island.
  • 1890s - Establishment of several village settlements, under Government settlement programs. Planting of chicory and establishment of some 30 chicory kilns.
  • 17 July 1916 McLeod Prison Farm opens.
  • 1967 - The SECV proposes the island as the site of the first Nuclear power plant in Australia.
  • 1975 - McLeod Prison Farm closes.
  • July 1997 - about 70 per cent of the island declared as part of the French Island National Park.
  • May 2002 - waters directly north of French Island declared as French Island Marine National Park.

Tankerton Post Office opened on 3 September 1890 and closed in 1994. It reopened in 2001 under the name French Island. A Fairhaven office was also open from 1911 until 1957.

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