• Population: 4,924 in Churchill (154,357 in the Gippsland region), 20% born overseas
• Education providers: Apprenticeship Group Australia, Federation University
• Distance from Melbourne: 161km

Key institutions

Churchill is home to Federation University.

Federation University offers a large range of courses, including education, nursing, engineering, psychology and arts.

Liveability

Churchill is part of the Gippsland region which is famous for its beaches, rainforests, snowfields, farmlands and wineries. Churchill is known for its friendly and welcoming community and its relaxing and laid-back Aussie lifestyle.

In any of the Gippsland areas, you can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including surfing, water skiing, fishing and hiking.  The food and drink scene in Gippsland is also fantastic, due in no small part to its abundance of fresh produce. The region produces roughly 27% of Victoria’s vegetables and is also known for its berry farms and vineyards. With such a diverse range of grapes growing in the region, Gippsland is also home to an amazing selection of wineries .

Despite its large size, getting around the region is easy with plenty of public transport options, including V/Line trains and bus services.

Hear what others say

Key sectors

Agriculture

More than one-third of Gippsland businesses are involved with the agriculture and fishing industries, making this sector one of the largest employers in the region.

Key sectors in this industry include forestry, farming and horticulture, with 22% of Australia’s dairy produced in the Gippsland region.

Health and community services

More than 16,000 people are employed in Gippsland’s health and community services industry.

Due to social, economic and demographic changes in the region, the demand for aged and healthcare services is expected to grow in the coming years, which will result in increased employment opportunities in fields such as nursing, aged care, disability care and allied health (including dentistry, pharmacology and physiotherapy).

Tourism

With such environmental diversity, it’s no surprise that the Gippsland region is a popular destination for domestic and international travellers.

Tourism generates approximately $1 billion for the local economy, and with increased funding and support from the Victorian Government, growth in this industry is expected to continue in the future.

Innovations and opportunities

Arts, Culture & Creative Industries Strategy 2022–26

The Arts, Culture & Creative Industries Strategy outlines plans to grow the arts within the region. This sector already provides a $32.9-million output for the local economy as well as $7.2 million in wages. The 4-year strategy outlines a plan for attracting creative talent to the region, delivering artistic opportunities to young residents and supporting local creative practitioners.

Technology and innovation

Gippsland has a fast-growing technology and innovation sector. As a result of this growth, the Hi-Tech Precinct was established as a centre for research, business and new product development, start-up support, education and training.

One of the aims of this Precinct is to support the expansion of the region’s growth sectors - health, food and fibre, advanced manufacturing and new energy - by accelerating technology adoption and attracting new investment.