Woorinen

Woorinen is thought to have been named after an Aboriginal word meaning mouth. Woorinen South Township settlement started in the Woorinen region in the early 19th century, with thousands of young soldiers returning to the region as part of the soldier settlement program.

The creation of the Commission’s farm lots coincided with the extension of the railway line from Swan Hill in 1915 and the line passed through Woorinen South. With the railway came the Woorinen Fruitgrowers Association plans for fruit transport, a dried fruits packing shed was built in 1921. The packing shed and fruit dehydrator functioned until 1967 when packing was consolidated with Nyah West. Local employment was maintained, however, with the opening of the Fairfield Winery in 1968 which was renamed Woorinen Wine Estates in 1980. It went into receivership in 1985. Steady population growth required a school at Woorinen North (1925) and Woorinen South (1930). The ‘Central’ and ‘North’ school were closed in 1993 leaving Woorinen South as the district school. It had 56 pupils in 2014. By 1988 Woorinen had 170 farm holdings comprising 241 farm lots of an average area of ten hectares.

As well as being a centre for stone fruit and dried fruit growing Woorinen has grain silo (1964) and a grain depot at the railway siding. The station building was transferred to the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement in 1976.

In 2003 a water pipeline from the Murray River to 200 farm properties was completed, replacing open channels.

The Mediterranean-style climate and soils are ideal for the consistent production of quality produce, around Woorinen – just 10 minutes’ drive north-west of Swan Hill

To gain an understanding of the region's horticultural history, one must take the time to tour around the Woorinen region. This landscape changes dramatically throughout the seasons, and driving through the area in spring, you might be forgiven for thinking you are in Provence or Tuscany, such is the beauty and colour of the fruit trees. If you are travelling during the harvest seasons, make sure you look out for the farm gate outlets to purchase the fruit.