Ulverstone Post Office in 1881. Ulverstone was declared a town on 22 February 1861 by Governor H.E. Fox-Young. Reliable rainfall and generally good quality soils favoured the development of agricultural pursuits. The early pioneers of the district struggled against great odds to secure their sustenance and ultimately develop an income from sale of their produce. Ulverstone grew quite quickly during the 1890s, and the town has become a centralised location between the north-west coast's two cities, Burnie and Devonport. It is named after Ulverston in England, which also sits at the estuary of a river called Leven. Ulverston in England was spelled Ulverstone until late in the 19th century. From 1915 until 1955, a branch railway ran from Ulverstone to Nietta, mostly carrying timber for the Burnie Pulp Mill. Redevelopment The Central Coast Council has recently redeveloped the area to increase tourism. 2010 saw the completion of a new basketball stadium, the Schweppes Arena. The arena holds around 1,100 people, cost $5.5 million to build and was completed just behind schedule. it overlooks the River Leven and is situated just behind the former stadium. In 2011, the Leven Bridge was replaced by a new bridge. It was built by VEC Civil Engineering for approximately $6.5 million, with the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources and the Central Coast Council funding the project. In June 2011 a walking track between Turners Beach and Ulverstone was opened. A redevelopment of the wharf precinct was opened to the public on 17 November 2012. Education Ulverstone has three public primary schools and one public high school/college. East Ulverstone Primary School Central Ulverstone Primary School West Ulverstone Primary School Ulverstone Secondary College There are two private schools in Ulverstone. Sacred Heart Primary School Leighland Christian School As of 2017, students studying Years 11 and 12 can study at Ulverstone Secondary College, or commute to Penguin District School in Penguin, to Don College in Devonport, or to Hellyer College in Burnie. Ulverstone is home to TastroFest - Tasmania's Astronomy Festival. This event is held annually in August and is the largest astronomy festival in Australia. Centred around education, this event holds both student and public programs over three days. Notable people Nita Burke (born 1937), Australian basketball representative Joseph Lyons, Prime Minister of Australia from 1932 to 1939, spent some of his early years living in Ulverstone - he arrived with his family from Stanley at