LAVINGTON NAME CHANGE
For many years the question has been asked:"How did Lavington get its name?"

It is hoped that the explanation which follows solves this mystery. This is only a brief summary of the research which has been done. If the reader would like to know more, please contact Betty Dunn of the Lavington Family History Group - phone 2060 263808 or
email macdunnau@yahoo.com.au .
If anyone can supply further information, please do not hesitate to do so.
In 1908, with the growth of Black Range increasing, there was a move afoot in the community to change the name of the area.
The "Albury Daily News", 19th November 1908, describes a meeting held the night before in the School of Arts, to discuss further improvements to the small village.
Several years prior to this, there had been a Progress Association in existence which had achieved a lot, but over the years had dwindled away.
On the night in question, at a well attended meeting, it was decided to resuscitate the Association, with Mr Wells as Hon. Secretary.
The most historic proposal on that historic night was to find another name for Black Range. The reason for this was at the time there were four or five other Black Ranges in Australia and this led to a great deal of confusion, especially in the postal department, as there were no post codes in those early days.
Several names were submitted, and after a ballot was carried out, the name Lynton was decided upon. However, it was then noted that there was another Linton in Australia, so Rawson was the next choice. The meeting came to a close with the decidion to proceed with the name Rawson with the proper authorities.
However, for various reasons, this name did not eventuate, and after much discussion Lavington was decided upon.
Prior to 1908, Black Range was also known as Lavington. This came about with the arrival about 1852 of Joseph Box from Market Lavington in Wiltshire, England. He was the youngest son of Richard Box and Sarah Ann Ward and was born about 1843.
The Box Family had lived in Market Lavington as far back as the 1600s, if not before (REF IGI and Mrs Peggy Gye, Curator of Market Lavington Musuem).
Joseph’s father owned a brick yard and reference to this can be found in the book on Market Lavington (Lavington & District Family History Group).
The first reference to Joseph’s entry to Australia is in the "Immigration Index Victoria – British Ports 1852-1859" VPRS 11448/Pl, Fiche B 019, Page 001, where it states there is a J Box, farmer, on board. The ship is the "Anglesey", 1018 tons and its Master was Mr Thorne. It sailed from Plymouth on 1st September 1852.
They appear together again on "The Kent" in 1862, making it seem that they went home to England to visit family and then returned to Australia.
Joseph called his small property at Black Range "Lavington",after his home town in Wiltshire, England.
It is rumoured that Joseph owned a piece of machinery at Black Range, possible a gold battery, which he named "The Lavington". This machinery was also rumoured to be at Leneva but has not yet been located.
Both brother settled in Albury and North-Eastern Victoria, marrying and having families. Richard died in 1871 and is buried at Barwidgee, Victoria, though he is mentioned on his wife’s grave in Albury Cemetery. Joseph, who died October 1913 is buried at Bright.
On the 16th June, 1909, the "Albury Daily News" reports that the celebration on name change for Black Range was made the previous nigth in the School of Arts and it was decided that Lavington would be the popular choice.

Submitted by Betty Dunn