Donald
Population: 1700
Distances:
Warracknabeal - 28kms
Melbourne - 259kms
Donald is a friendly small town in the heart of Victoria’s prime cereal growing country. Wheat and barley are the main crops with field peas, canola and safflower gaining in popularity. Quality fat lambs, wool, emu and pig rearing are other farming enterprises.
Recreational activities are centred on water and field sports, shooting and fishing both being popular. Donald is close to Lake Buloke, well known as one of Victoria’s largest lakes when full, and it’s extensive wetlands provide breeding grounds to large colonies of ducks and other water birds. Camping and water skiing are available at Lake Batyo Catyo. Football and cricket are other sports that are enthusiastically followed. The Sports Stadium at the football ground has a top class basketball court.
If a day at the races interests you, the Donald Racing Club offers first class facilities for both horse racing and trotting patrons.
Donald has a vibrant shopping centre featuring supermarkets, clothing stores, hotels and motels, restaurants and cafes, automobile retailers and farm suppliers.
Donald’s community and businesses are extremely active in promoting local enterprises. Several businesses are successful in marketing their goods and services throughout Victoria, Kooka’s Country Cookies being but one such business.
Donald 2000 is a locally elected committee that aims not only to maintain existing services, but also to expand further economic and industrial development. As evidenced by the Cahill Report, Donald has been successful in reversing the population decline with 100 new jobs being created during the period 1985-1995.
Donald's educational facilities include state secondary and primary schools and a Catholic primary school. The schools boast first class teaching staff and this is reflected by excellent results achieved in all year levels and VCE. Service clubs include Apex and Lions, other intellectual activities are supported by very active clubs such as the local Historical Society, Genealogical Group, Bridge Club and an Adult Education Group. Local and visiting bands provide live entertainment with popular and jazz music and the dance club supports old-time music.
Annual events include: Golf and Bowls Tournaments Tennis Tournament Mudbash Racing Donald Cup Duck Opening Scottish Dancing Weekend Angling Club Competition Agricultural Show
