The name is derived from the
Djadjawurrung word "Beal-ba" meaning "the red or flooded gum tree". The first Europeans in the Bealiba area were
drovers in the 1840s and in 1845 George Coutts was the first European permanent settler. In the midst of the
Victorian gold rush, gold was discovered in Bealiba in 1856 and for 18 months the town grew to a population of 18,000. After the rush subsided, the area was opened up for
selection by farmers. Facilities in Bealiba include a post office and general store. The town is home to many historic buildings including the
pub (built in 1857) and the Town Hall (built in 1879). The Bealiba Court of Petty Sessions closed on 1 August 1968. Bealiba shares an Australian rules football team with nearby
Natte Yallock—the Natte Bealiba Swans—who compete in the
Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League. ==References==