lake dried out naturally and could no longer be relied upon as a regular water course. The lake land was sold to adjoining landholders and a pumping station set up to drain water from the lake to the nearby Hopkins River. There is no current public access to the 'lake'. The Wangoom State School (formally National School) operated from 1852 till its closure in 1992. The school building remains on site while the school house was sold and removed to Lake Gillear. The school grounds are now used as a 'Laser Strike' Venue. From 1933 to 1948, the Warrnambool Plumpton Coursing Club held Field Coursing events at the Wangoom Enclosure located off St.Mary's Road. During this period, the club held many of the states major classic events including the Victorian Oaks and Derby and the St. Leger stakes. Timeline 1850s 18 Dec 1855, Tenders called for a School House and Residence, near Lake Wangoom. 1 July 1856, Opening of the ‘Bush Inn’ Hotel – situated on the main road to Lake Wangoom – from Warrnambool. 17/18 March 1857, St. Patrick’s Day – ‘Pleasant Hill Races’ held at William Walls, Bush Inn at Wangoom. 1860s 12 February 1860, Opening of the Wangoom Wesleyan (later Methodist) Church. 20 June 1861, Opening of the Wangoom Presbyterianism (later Uniting) Church. 1870s 17 October 1877, Wangoom Post office commenced operation. Jan 1878, Hopkins Falls State School opens. 1880s 11 May 1886, First running of the Wangoom Handicap held at the Warrnambool Autumn Race Carnival. Won by G.H. Whitehead's horse 'Speculation' 1910s 22 August 1910, Opening of new public telephone at Wangoom. 1920s 31 October 1921, Meeting held to establish the Wangoom Recreation Reserve Trust and arrange for purchase of reserve land. 23 August 1924, Wangoom declared ‘Premiers and Champions’ of the South Western District Football Association completing the season undefeated. 15 May 1926, Mrs Lucy McLean (daughter of Francis Tozer) of Wangoom Park donates to be shared for the benefit of four district schools including the Wangoom State School. 1930s 11 October 1931, Australian gliding record set by H. K. Morris at Lake Wangoom who stayed in the air for 2 hours 15 minutes. 13–14 October 1933, The Wangoom Plumpton hosts its 2-day ‘Grand Opening Meeting’ on behalf of the Warrnambool Plumpton Coursing Club. 1938 The Hopkins Falls (later Crawley) Bridge at 304 feet and 6 spans is completed. 1940s 1 July 1948, Wangoom Young