Do you live in one of Australia’s most oddly named towns?

March 6, 2026 — 1:00pm

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Victoria was ablaze this summer. We fought fires from Walwa to Ruffy, from Carlisle River to Wonnangatta Valley. As a radio host, I know the names by heart, the traps of pronunciation. Who knew Colac Colac near Corryong is “Clack-Clack” to locals?

Yet one name shone through the smoke. Less a town than a smudge near Dargo called Peter the Swede. That’s right – Peter the Swede. Who was he, asked the audience. A bushranger? A meatball chef? ABC’s Landline journo, Tim Lee, sent me Placenames Australia, a quarterly devoted to the stories behind our toponyms, issued by our National Placenames Survey.

First, don’t expect much hospitality from Peter the Swede, let alone houses.........

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