Napoleons Primary School principal Trevor Edwards. PICTURE: LACHLAN BENCE
ANOTHER of the Ballarat district's towns to spring up from the 1800s gold rush, Napoleons now finds itself growing once more.
The local primary school has 180 students enrolled and is experiencing an "upward trend" in recent years.
Napoleons Primary School principal Trevor Edwards said the community developed as a mining town, but is now headed down a more cultured route.
"One of the features of Napoleons no doubt is the artistic talent around the area," he said.
"Whether it be the visual arts or performing arts, there are a number of individuals (here) who show enormous talent."
Mr Edwards said the was a huge amount of community involvement in the school, proving Napoleons was tight-knit.
"We have a wonderful community, with a lot of people coming into support the school in a number of different ways," he said.
"Napoleons is very lucky in respect to how it is supported by its community."
"Its a vibrant, artistic town and it has an enormous amount going for it."
Last summer, the Napoleons-Sebastopol cricket team made the grand final of the Ballarat Cricket Association, losing narrowly to reigning champions Wendouree.
The cricket club and neighbouring tennis club also involve themselves in the local school, which acts as a community hub.
Just 10 minutes from Ballarat, Napoleons future as a commuter option looks bright for those wishing to remove themselves from the issues of a regional city.
The basics
Municipality: Golden Plains Shire
Population: 535 (2011 Census)
First settled: 1860s
Main industries: Farming, commuting
Claim to fame: Napoleons student, beach volleyball player Tamsin Hinchley, has competed at three Olympic Games.
Five fast facts:
1. The town is believed to have been named after an early miner, who wore a Napoleonic hat.
2. The old Napoleons School dates back to 1870.
3. Napoleons' population dropped from 676 to 535 between 2006 and 2011.
4. The town's first Post Office opened on September 1, 1862.
5. It was closed, along with many other rural Post Offices, in 1971.
Five things to do:
1. Visit the Napoleons District Historical Society on Colac Road.
2. Have a kick of the footy at the Napoleons Recreation Reserve.
3. Explore the gold mining history of the surrounding districts.
4. Drive to Ballarat to visit the Wildlife Park or Sovereign Hill.
5. Take a drive to the nearby Enfield State Park for a picnic.
