Latrobe, Tasmania

History

The area was first settled by B. B. Thomas in 1826 and, in 1861, the settlement was named for Charles Joseph La Trobe (1801–1875), the administrator of the colony of Tasmania.

La Trobe Post Office opened on 31 August 1860 and was renamed Latrobe in 1873.

Latrobe has a museum based in the old court house.

Climate

Latrobe has an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), with very mild, slightly drier summers and cool, wetter winters. Average maxima vary from 21.8 C in February to 12.9 C in July while average minima fluctuate between 12.6 C in January and February and 4.8 C in July. Mean average annual precipitation is moderate, 766.8 mm spread between 129.8 precipitation days. However, the town is not sunny, with 146.8 cloudy days and only 56.1 clear days per annum. Extreme temperatures have ranged from 33.2 C on 9 January 2010 to -4.8 C on 25 August 1991.{{cite web

|Jan record high C = 33.2 |Feb record high C = 30.6 |Mar record high C = 29.0 |Apr record high C = 24.9 |May record high C = 20.7 |Jun record high C = 18.8 |Jul record high C = 17.6 |Aug record high C = 18.1 |Sep record high C = 20.0 |Oct record high C = 24.8 |Nov record high C = 28.2 |Dec record high C = 30.9 |Jan record low C = 4.0 |Feb record low C = -1.2 |Mar record low C = -2.5 |Apr record low C = -0.8 |May record low C = -1.8 |Jun record low C = -1.9 |Jul record low C = -2.2 |Aug record low C = -4.8 |Sep record low C = -2.0 |Oct record low C = -2.3 |Nov record low C = 0.6 |Dec record low C = 1.6 |Jan dew point C = 11.3 |Feb dew point C = 12.0 |Mar dew point C = 10.3 |Apr dew point C = 8.7 |May dew point C = 7.7 |Jun dew point C = 6.4 |Jul dew point C = 5.9 |Aug dew point C = 6.0 |Sep dew point C = 6.3 |Oct dew point C = 7.1 |Nov dew point C = 9.2 |Dec dew point C = 9.8 |access-date = September 5, 2024}}

Facilities

The Mersey Community Hospital is located in Latrobe. It is approximately a 100-bed hospital that provides services including: ambulatory and emergency, general adult medicine, general paediatric medicine, general surgery including orthopaedic, ear, nose and throat, ophthalmological, certain oncology services, limited rehabilitation services and allied health support. From 1 September 2008, the hospital is owned by the Commonwealth and operated by the Tasmanian Government.

The main shopping district can be found along Gilbert Street where a number of hotels, cafes, restaurants and shops call home, such as Supa IGA.

Latrobe has a chocolate factory specialising in Belgian chocolates.

There are aged care facilities in Latrobe such as Uniting AgeWell Strathdevon Community.

The Australian Axemans Hall of Fame showcasing Australia's wood-chopping sporting champions is located on Bells Parade. The Big Platypus, one of Australia's big things, is outside the museum.

Following flooding in 2016, work began on a flood mitigation system for the town involving both a levee and diversion culvert. Construction began in 2022 and ended in 2023.

Sporting activities

Latrobe's Henley-on-Mersey Regatta held on Australia Day 26 January each year at Belles Parade consists of woodchopping, Ferret racing, Triathlon, Iron Trial Strongman, Boat Race, Cherry Spitting and Gum boot throwing. The Christmas Carnival Series is a series of professional athletics and professional cycling events. The boxing day carnival (26 December) is held at the Latrobe Recreation Ground. This event also stages a woodchopping event. Latrobe Football Club and Latrobe Cricket Club also utilize the Latrobe Recreation Ground. Latrobe Basketball Club play in the North West Basketball Union and play out of the Latrobe and Districts Youth Centre. Tennis is played at the Latrobe Tennis Club. Latrobe has a netball team that competes in the Devon Netball Association.

Latrobe Speedway, a clay race track hosts Sprintcars, Street Stocks, AMCA Nationals, Bombers, Junior Sedans, Formula 500s, Modified Sedans, Karts, Wingless Sedans, Tassie Sixers, Speedcars, Caravan Derby and Demolition Derby.

Education

Education facilities include Latrobe Primary School, Latrobe High School, St. Patrick's Catholic School and Geneva Christian College.

Notable people

• Darrel Baldock
• Dolly Dalrymple
• Michael Fieldpolitician
• Christine Milnepolitician
• Teddy Sheean
• James Monaghan Dooley - politician

References

References

1. {{Census 2006 AUS
2. {{Census 2016 AUS
3. Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions.
4. "Latrobe Court House Museum".
5. http://www.igatas.com.au/supa-iga-latrobe
6. (18 April 2015). "Australian Axeman's Hall of Fame | Latrobe | Tasmania | Australia".
7. "Entertainment, Family, Music, Carnival, Travel, Tourism,, Tasmania, Australia".
8. "Latrobe Cricket Club - MyCricket Site".
9. "Latrobe Basketball Association Inc.".
10. "Gulf Western & Independent Oils Raceway, Latrobe".