Hamilton
Postcode: 3300
Hamilton is a city in the Southern Grampians Shire of Victoria, Australia. It is located at the intersection of the Glenelg Highway (from Ballarat to Mount Gambier) and the Henty Highway (from Portland to Horsham). The Hamilton Highway connects it to Geelong. It has an approximate population of 9,200 at 30 June 2002.
Hamilton is in the federal Division of Wannon.
Self described as the “Wool Capital of the World”, it boasts the Big Wool Bales as a significant tourist attraction. Also Hamilton is known for The Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum.
Since the restructure of Victorian Local Government in the early 1990s, Hamilton has been served by the Southern Grampians Shire Council. There are currently 7 councillors serving the 6652 km² shire, which includes the main population centre of Hamilton as well as surrounding localities. Voting is by proportional representation and Local government elections are held once every four years. Along with all other Victorian councils, the next elections will be held in the last Saturday in November, 2008.
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%).