Clonbinane, Victoria

Clonbinane is a sparse pastoral community in the Australian state of Victoria. It is located 55 kilometres (34 mi) north of the state capital city, Melbourne. Geographically, it lies east of the Hume Freeway but now lacks a distinctive township precinct. According to Crown Land records of 1856, the pastoral region was part of the Western Port District. At the 2011 census, Clonbinane had a population of 381.

The name Clonbinane suggests a marriage of two surnames, Clon and Binane. The Binane part may have found its origins in Welsh, Irish or Scottish clans surnames, deriving from the Latin "Benedictus". It is suggested that the Binane part of the name came from the galectisation of Benedictus and that the Clon part may have its origins in early Scottish history. It is not clear how the name came about as a mention in the Crown Land Leases of 1848.

History

Colonial history

During the development of the Australian colonies, the Clonbinane area was part of the Colony of New South Wales between 1788 and 1851 when, on 1 July 1851, Victoria was separated from New South Wales. An early mention of the name Clonbinane appeared in Melbourne's Argus Newspaper of 29 September 1848 in relation to Claims to Leases of Crown Land. At that time, a 25,600 Acre Run Clonbinane was cited as a claim by Michael Heffernan. The property was bound 5 miles along Reedy Creek to the North, Mt Whitehead 1 and 1/2 miles to the West, up to the ranges East and 3 miles off Kirk and Harlin to the South with a potential for 600 head of cattle.