Leongatha

[edit] Leongatha has an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), with warm summers and cool winters. Average maxima vary from 24.9 °C (76.8 °F) in February to 13.0 °C (55.4 °F) in July, while average minima fluctuate between 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) in February and 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) in July. Precipitation is moderate (averaging 970.4 mm (38.20 in) per annum), and is frequent (spread between 174.8 precipitation days). Climate data for Leongatha (38°28′S 145°58′E / 38.47°S 145.97°E / -38.47; 145.97, 88 m AMSL) (1896–1957 normals & extremes) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 24.8(76.6) 24.9(76.8) 23.2(73.8) 19.2(66.6) 16.1(61.0) 13.5(56.3) 13.0(55.4) 14.1(57.4) 16.4(61.5) 18.5(65.3) 20.8(69.4) 23.2(73.8) 19.0(66.2) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 11.5(52.7) 12.3(54.1) 11.1(52.0) 9.2(48.6) 7.2(45.0) 5.4(41.7) 4.8(40.6) 5.3(41.5) 6.6(43.9) 7.9(46.2) 9.2(48.6) 10.7(51.3) 8.4(47.2) Average precipitation mm (inches) 59.0(2.32) 60.7(2.39) 70.4(2.77) 87.7(3.45) 84.7(3.33) 94.6(3.72) 82.9(3.26) 94.7(3.73) 87.6(3.45) 95.6(3.76) 82.3(3.24) 67.5(2.66) 970.4(38.20) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 9.8 8.9 11.1 14.5 16.5 17.9 17.9 19.5 16.9 16.3 14.3 11.2 174.8 Source: Bureau of Meteorology (1896–1957 normals & extremes)

[edit] Main article: Leongatha railway station, Victoria The town is located on the South Gippsland Highway which links Leongatha to Melbourne. Leongatha was formerly situated along the South Gippsland railway corridor that operated to its terminus at Yarram in the early 1980s and Leongatha in the mid 1990s. A V/Line road coach service replaced the rail service on 24 July 1993, running between Melbourne and Yarram. A second service runs from Traralgon to Wonthaggi. There was also a third bus service running from Venus Bay, through Tarwin Lower and Koonwarra connecting with the V/Line services that depart from Leongatha. This was a trial service and no longer operates. The Leongatha Airport is located south of the town and serves general aviation.

[edit] Leongatha is a major educational hub for South Gippsland, and contains several schools, including: Leongatha Secondary College, result of a merger between Leongatha Technical School and Leongatha High School. Leongatha Primary School South Gippsland Specialist School GippsTafe (Leongatha Campus) St Laurence O'Toole Catholic Primary School Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Chairo Christian School – For prep level to year 10. Also provides three to four year-old Kindergarten. The town also has two kindergartens (Allora and Hasset Street), and two childcare centres (Brown Street and Leongatha Children's), which both have kindergarten rooms.

[edit] A Daffodil Festival is held annually in September. Competitions are held and many daffodil varieties are on display. A garden competition is also held.[citation needed] The railway line from Nyora through Leongatha to Foster has been converted into the Great Southern Rail Trail, for the shared use of horse riding, walking and cycling. The trail runs to Yarram with a side trail from Alberton to Port Albert.[citation needed]

[edit] Leongatha has a community theatre company, the "Lyric Theatre Company" that regularly stages theatrical productions. The town has a medieval society, the "Leongatha Medieval Society", which re-enacts 14th-century weapons, armour and fighting styles. The Medieval Society can be seen each month at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum at Korumburra. Leongatha offers a range of sports including: athletics, basketball, badminton, cricket, croquet, cycling (BMX, road and track), equestrian, football (Australian rules, association and indoor soccer), golf, gymnastics, hockey (field and underwater), lawn bowls, martial arts (karate and taekwondo), netball, shooting, skateboarding, softball, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball (indoor and beach). The town's Australian Rules football club, the Leongatha Football Club ("The Parrots"), competes in the Gippsland Football League. Golfers play at the course of the Leongatha Golf Club on Inverloch-Koonwarra Road, Leongatha South, or at the course of the Woorayl Golf Club at the Recreation Reserve. Community services include CFA, SES, Police, ambulance. Other community organisations include Scouts (cubs, scouts, venturers and rovers), Girl Guides, and Salvation Army Youth Corps. The town also boasts a large YMCA complex (including pool, gym and basketball courts) plus a four theatre complex. Mechanics Institute Bair's Otago Hotel Post Office Catholic Church Leongatha War Memorial Hall War memorial Court House Leongatha eastview Anglican Church Leongatha, Crown Lands and Survey 1892 Australia portal