| Pre-European Settlement |
Area inhabited by Bengalat balug (Clan) of the Wathaurong
Tribe |
| 1802 |
First European explorers.
January : Lieutenant John Murray
April : Captain Matthew Flinders |
| 1803 - 1835 |
William Buckley the first European
living in the area |
| 1835 + |
Area investigated and surveyed by Wedge and Gellibrand |
| 1836 + |
 | Area occupied by squatters |
| The location today known as Bellarine was formerly named East Bellarine (to distinguish
it from Drysdale which was known as Bellerine) |
|
| 1854 |
Free Presbyterian Church School - Angus McLeod was Head
Teacher |
| 1855 May |
Church of England School opened - school master Charles
Streeton |
| 1858 |
Mechanics' Institute established and accumulated a large and
valuable library - forced to share the Presbyterian School |
| 1859 |
Post Office under the charge of the schoolmaster, Mr.
Sheahan. When the Post Office first opened it was run by C.H. Streeton, father of the
artist Arthur Streeton - it operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 5.30 pm |
| 1861 |
New Presbyterian Church School built - brock on stone
foundation and with a slate roof |
| 1862 |
Church of England School closed. The building continued
to be used as a church for some years |
| 1865 |
Population 350 |
| 1865 Oct |
Foundation stone laid for Wesleyan church and school |
| 1868 |
Farmers' Arms Hotel existed until 1870. Ancient Order
of Foresters established here |
| 1870 |
Substantial building erected for Mechanics' Institute |
| 1871 |
East Bellarine Cricket Club established |
| 1872 |
Tenders called for foundations for a new church |
| 1873 Jan |
Free Presbyterian Church opened - built of Portarlington
Bricks |
| 1873 Oct |
Church of England school re-opened |
| 1873 |
| Bellarine had a rural store, post office and blacksmith's shop, and a "political
shoemaker from Ashby, whose presence has enlivened many an election meeting" |
| Church School taken over by the Education Department as School No. 231 - average
attendance was 67 |
| East Bellarine Cricket Club and the Portarlington Cricket Club amalgamated to form the
Bellarine Cricket Club |
|
| 1874 Apr |
Church of England school officially recognised as School No.
1415 - 36 pupils |
| 1875 |
Sparrow Club formed - its aim was to reduce the destruction
of barley crops |
| 1877 |
School No. 1415 - new school built and opened |
| 1892 |
School No. 231 closed |
| 1906 |
Christ Church reopened as a church until 1911 |
