HAMILTON Heading west on the Hamilton Highway the traveler will ultimately reach Hamilton, the major centre on this highway that is the link to Mount Gambier in South Australia. Hamilton is a city in the sense the churches are cathedral in nature. The town certainly has a cosmopolitan feel about and is a busy bustling down town environment. Hamilton claims to be the "Wool Capital of the World", based on its strong historical links to sheep grazing which continue today. On 12 September 1836, the explorer, Major Thomas Mitchell was the first European to travel through the area where Hamilton later developed. His reports of the fertility and abundance of ‘Australia Felix’ (as he called this region of Western Victoria) encouraged pastoralists to move to the area and establish large sheep runs. Sheep grazing and agriculture are the primary industries in the surrounding shire, the area producing as much as 15% of Australia’s total wool clip. Inside the city of Hamilton the majority of employment is provided by the retail industry (20%) and the Health and Community Services sector (14.5%). As mentioned the Catholic and Anglican churches are cathedral in stature. Both are over 100 years old. Whilst in the Anglican be sure to check out this tribute to Saint Mary Mackillop. The Presbyterian likewise is an outstanding proposition. The United Church is traditional brick. The War Memorials in Hamilton are located in various locations around the sport field area. The main cenotaph is in sports grounds. The hotels in Hamilton are a mix of the old and new. Hamilton is a town that requires an overnight stay at a minimum.