[1] Named after the Aboriginal term for the Australian magpie, the town was established in 1882 as a supply centre for local selectors and by 1884 had a population of 50.

[2] Three years later, facilities in Goroke included a flour mill, two stores, a school, a mechanics' hall, a hotel and a blacksmith's.

Originally connected to Kaniva and Nhill by a track through the Little Desert, in 1894, the railway reached Goroke from Natimuk until it closed in 1986.

Nearby Lake Charlegrark is the venue for an annual country music festival, held on the third weekend in February.

[4] The Goroke School was first opened on 28 September 1885 with only 10 boys and 10 girls; Henry H. Pearson being in charge of the 20 students.

After a period of recess it moved to its current location on the Goroke Nhill Road in 1978, the final of the 18 sandscrape holes being officially opened in 1988.