Nathalia ( ) is a town in northern Victoria, Australia. The town is located within the Shire of Moira local government area on the banks of Broken Creek and on the Murray Valley Highway. At the 2021 census, Nathalia had a population of 1,982. History Prior to European settlement, the area around Nathalia was occupied by the Yorta Yorta people. In 1838, Charles Sturt was the first European to explore the area, following the Murray River downstream. The squatter, W.J Locke established Kotupna station on the future site of Nathalia in 1843. The station was broken up for closer settlement in 1869. A selector, Richard Blake took up the townsite in 1875 and established a sawmill and flour mill soon after. Hotels, a post office (opened on 7 September 1878), schools and churches followed and Nathalia was officially gazetted as a village in 1880. The railway arrived in 1888, allowing local production to increase and a butter factory was established in 1895. The Nathalia Magistrates' Court closed on 1 January 1990. Economy Agriculture is the mainstay of the Nathalia area's economy, particularly cropping, dairy farming, and grazing. Some of the town's major businesses are Rex James Stockfeed, Trans Tank International (TTi), Remax Products, and Ryan's abattoirs. Education Nathalia has five schools, both a government high school and primary school as well as a regional Catholic college and a Catholic primary school. There is also a campus of the Glenvale School, an independent primary and secondary school. There is also a pre school and a new child care facility in Nathalia. Barmah Forest Heritage and Education Centre The Barmah Forest Heritage and Education Centre is a large building featuring displays on the history and the environment of the nearby Barmah Forest and Barmah National Park. The centre opened in 2011 with funding from the Victorian government and the Moira Shire Council. A feature of the building is the use of redgum timber recycled from the old wharf at Echuca. It is open from 9.00am-5.00pm every day. Sporting The town is well known for quality sporting facilities for its size. Notable sporting clubs in Nathalia include Nathalia Football Club competing in the Murray Football League. Recent premierships for the NFNC are 2005 (undefeated) 2006,2007,2008, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Golfers play at the course of the Nathalia Golf Club on Paynes Road. Nathalia also has an active Canoe club, Lawn