OUYEN
Ouyen is the next town visited on the
by-pass route to Mildura. Ouyen is another of those small Victorian
towns that has the majority of essential services. Being the warmest
place in Victoria and also having the distinction of having a very
nice pineapple slice,
  gives
cause to spend some time at Ouyen.
The name is believed to be is
derived from the Wergaia word 'wuya-wuya', which some believe means
'pink-eared duck', whilst others claim it means 'ghost waterhole'.
The town was established around the
rail link built in 1906 on the Mildura Line. The Post Office opened on
22 October 1907. It is also the junction for a railway line west
parallel to the Mallee Highway. This line is presently in poor
condition and used only for collecting grain from silos in small towns
between Ouyen and the South Australian border.
Property became available for
purchase in 1910, and much of it was cleared for farming. Ouyen is the
commercial and transport centre for the surrounding grain farming
region.
The Ouyen churches are of
modern design. 
The Ouyen Hotel, and boy what a pub
is still to this day looking after its thirst constituents.
The Ouyen War Memorial is located
in the cbd.
There is more to this place than
meet the eye and an extended perusal or stop over is certainly in
order.   
Heritage diary
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