Welcome to St. James. We hope you enjoy your tour of our beautiful little village.
1 Gun Club
The Gun Club holds shoots every 5th Saturday throughout the year with many attendees from other clubs
2 Fire Station
The St James CFA is a small but dedicated and reliable group of firefighters and supporters, all volunteers.
3 Rose Garden & BBQ
The Rose Garden is tended by the Moira Shire Council and many functions are held here. The BBQ is available to the public and many groups who visit use this facility.
4 War Memorial
Anzac Services are held here every year, usually the weekend before 25th April. Yarrawonga RSL attend and assist with the ceremonies.
5 Old Lock-up
Originally at the back of the police residence, the lockup is said to have at one time housed Ned Kelly. True or not, it certainly has evidence of locals being detained in the form of carved names.
6. Silo Art
The community of St James is appreciative to Graincorp for providing such a great canvas for our Silo Art. Without their support this project would never have happened.
7 St James School – Now a private residence
St James Railway Station State School (SS2579) opened in temporary accommodation in 1884, moving to a new building on Devenish Road in 1886. Enrolments had reached 50 by 1890 when the school was renamed St James. Numbers sat at 33 in 1969 but continued to decline thereafter until the school was closed in September 1993. The site was sold for $30k.
8 Bowls Club
The Club has had many successes but of note are the three District presidents who came from St. James Bowls. The first was Betty Lidgerwood. The second was Dorothy Hooper. The third was Lola Clarke. St James also fielded an international judge in Kerry Ralph. Massive achievements for a little club.
9 St. James Pub
The St James pub is the only business in town and is a most pleasant venue for lunch, dinner and social gatherings. The patio and beergarden provide a quiet space to relax with friends and Noel, Mel and Mia welcome everyone.
10 Post Office – Now a private residence
This building was originally the Bank of Australasia, then became The Post Office and general store, supplying bottled gas, petrol, groceries, frozen goods as well as a full newsagency. It closed in 2010
11 Old Bank – Now a private residence
The first bank established in St. James was the National Bank in 1883. It was rebuilt twice, in 1912 and 1968. It closed in about 1977
12 G J Coles First Store – Now privately owned
In 1892, George Coles Snr bought the North Eastern Stores in St James and Lake Rowan. The family first lived in Lake Rowan and then moved to St James in 1895. George Coles jnr returned to St James, and purchased the shop from his father in 1910
13 Anglican Church of St Thomas The Apostle
Church of St. Thomas was built in 1922, dedicated free of debt in 1923 but not consecrated till 1973.
14 St. James Community Hall
The hall was officially opened in 1910 coinciding with the purchase of the North-Eastern Stores by GJ Coles, Sir George’s son.
15 Town Water Supply
In 2008 the current Water Treatment Plant, property of North East Water, replaced the old catchment ponds bringing the water from Yarrawonga.
16 Old Catchment Ponds
These Catchment ponds were part of the town water supply untill 2008. They are gradually being filled in.
17 Old Standpipe (Water Tower)
This Old Standpipe is the original water supply for the town which was started on the 6th December 1906 and includes ten separate castings which make up the total height of the tower
18 Golf Course and Clubhouse
This is a 2 x nine hole Golf Course and Clubhouse with sand scraps and a very active club. Club competitions are run every Wednesday and Sunday. Green fees are $5.
19 Tennis Club
The Tennis Club disbanded in about 2006 and although some locals still have a hit, a basketball ring has been erected as an additional use for the facility.
20 Children’s Playground
Thank you. We hope you found the tour interesting. Why not enjoy refreshments at the St. James Pub before you leave.
Do come again soon