The Shire of Cobram's origins lay in the North West Riding of the Shire of Tungamah, which was first incorporated on 15 May 1878. Cobram's development arose from irrigation projects developed in the 1930s; after World War II, returned servicemen were allocated irrigated holdings for fruit orchards and dairy farms, and Italian immigrants also took up land in the area.[2] A town plan was drafted in 1949, and industrial and commercial growth increased. On 1 April 1953, Cobram was severed from Tungamah, and became a shire in its own right.[3]
On 18 November 1994, the Shire of Cobram was abolished, and along with the Shires of Nathalia, Numurkah, Tungamah and Yarrawonga, was merged into the newly created Shire of Moira.[4]
Wards
The Shire of Cobram was divided into four ridings, each of which elected three councillors: