The Shire of Donald was a local government area about west-northwest of Bendigo, in western Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of , and existed from 1861 until 1995.
History
Donald was originally incorporated as the St Arnaud Road District on 25 June 1861, which became a shire on 22 November 1864. It was originally home to several other districts, which split away prior to 1900:
20 October 1884 - the East Riding became the Shire of Kara Kara; 30 January 1891 - the West Riding became the Shire of Borung, which later became the Shire of Warracknabeal; 27 April 1894 - the North Riding became the Shire of Wycheproof; 5 April 1895 - parts of the Central Riding became the Shire of Birchip; 31 May 1895 - parts of the South Riding joined with parts of other shires, to become the Shire of Charlton.
On 11 February 1897, it was officially renamed to the Shire of Donald, after the largest town which remained. It annexed territory from the Shire of Dunmunkle on 26 May 1916, and from the Shire of Kara Kara on 27 April 1920. Accessed at State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Reading Room.
On 20 January 1995, the Shire of Donald was abolished, and along with the Shires of Birchip, Charlton and Wycheproof, and parts of the Shire of Kara Kara, was merged into the newly created Shire of Buloke.
Wards
The Shire of Donald was divided into three wards, each of which elected three councillors: South Ward East Ward West Ward
Towns and localities Banyenong Buloke Carron Chirrip Corack Corack East Donald* Laen East Laen North Lake Buloke Litchfield Massey Mount Jeffcott Watchem
* Council seat.
Population Year Population 1954 2,864 1958 3,060* 1961 2,921 1966 2,948 1971 2,639 1976 2,724 1981 2,597 1986 2,357 1991 2,385
* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.
References
External links
Victorian Places - Donald and Donald Shire