Viewbank, Victoria

Viewbank is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 15 km north-east of Melbourne's Central Business District. Its local government area is the City of Banyule. At the 2016 census, Viewbank had a population of 6,923.[1]

Viewbank
Melbourne, Victoria
Viewbank
Coordinates37.731°S 145.100°E / -37.731; 145.100
Population6,923 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density1,538/km2 (3,980/sq mi)
Postcode(s)3084
Area4.5 km2 (1.7 sq mi)
Location15 km (9 mi) from Melbourne
LGA(s)City of Banyule
State electorate(s)Ivanhoe
Federal Division(s)Jagajaga
Suburbs around Viewbank:
Macleod Yallambie Montmorency
Rosanna Viewbank Lower Plenty
Heidelberg Bulleen Templestowe Lower

The Yarra River and large tracts of the Yarra Valley Parkland run along one border of the suburb. The Plenty River forms Viewbank's eastern boundary, whilst its northern boundary is defined by Lower Plenty Road (a main road linking Heidelberg and Eltham). Although mainly a residential area, there is a small commercial strip on Martins Lane adjacent to Viewbank Primary School.

History

Viewbank Homestead

Viewbank was first settled in 1837 by Edward Willis and was named after the homestead property built at the junction of the Yarra River and Plenty River constructed in 1839 by pastoralist James Williamson. It was later added to by Dr. Robert Martin. It was owned by the Bartram family 1922-1974 who operated the property as a dairy.[2] The homestead was demolished in the 1920s after the house had fallen into disrepair. Local residents believed it was haunted..

Between 1996 and 1999 Heritage Victoria conducted excavations at the site with the help of archaeologists from University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and Flinders University with more than 140 archaeology students and members of the community. Stone foundations of the house with remnants of hand-made brick walls, fireplaces and other features were uncovered. Artefacts including toys, game tokens, thimbles and pins were found. Articles of affluence were also found in the form of a network of servant's bells, fragments of marble fireplaces and decorated plaster cornices were also uncovered.[3]

Remnants of Viewbank's farming past can be seen from the historic silos still standing on Banyule Road.[4] The site is recognised as having historical and archaeological significance to the State of Victoria, and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database.[5]

Other History

Mollison Lodge[6] at 32 Old Lower Plenty Road was built in 1916. It is considered a good example of the Federation Bungalow style, and is enhanced by its mature garden setting. Few pastoral or agricultural buildings survive from the early 20th century, with Mollison Lodge being one of the important exceptions.[5]

There were many rural allotments along the Yarra River, of which the house at 7 Walker Court appears to be an example, making it of local historical significance. The building is one of the few houses dating from the 19th century remaining in the area, and appears in an early painting.[5]

The area was primarily developed around the 1960s. Viewbank Post Office opened on 1 October 1962 and was renamed Banyule in 1969.[7]

Several new housing developments were built during the 1990s and 2000s, including the end of Martins Lane, Winston Hills and Eagle View (on Casey Crescent).

Facilities

Public library facilities are provided by Yarra Plenty Regional Library. The nearest libraries are at Rosanna and Eltham.

Banyule Flats encompasses a large wetland of over 46 acres and is considered the largest grassy woodland in inner Melbourne.[8]

Castleton Park

Price Park

Melicytus dentatus'' berries, Banyule Flats Reserve, Viewbank

Viewbank Reserve

Education
  • Viewbank Primary School no 4892 is located in Nevin Parade, Rosanna East. It opened in 1966 [9][10] with a staff of six and an enrolment of 97 pupils ranging from beginners to Grade six. It was not until 1968 when the enrolment rose to 285 pupils, that the school was officially opened. By this time extensive works had taken place on the 5.8 acre property including sealed areas, drainage, reticulation of water, concrete paths and garden beds with concrete edging.[11]
  • Viewbank College (formerly Rosanna East High School, merging with Banyule High School in 1994).

Notable residents

In the 1980s, Australian Aerial Freestyle Olympic Gold Medallist Alisa Camplin, Catherine Fitzsimmons (Pearsell model and founder of Dash Models, Los Angeles), and Australian Olympic Runner Tamsyn Manou all attended Viewbank Primary School. Professional futsal striker Michael Mugwump also attended Viewbank Primary and Viewbank college

Viewbank College

See also

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Viewbank (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  2. "Viewbank 5, Viewbank Homestead". Victorian Heritage Database. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  3. "Viewbank: Unearthing a Colonial Homestead". Culture Victoria. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  4. Old Silos at Banyule, retrieved 1 June 2020
  5. "Viewbank Homestead". Victorian Heritage Database. 14 May 1999. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  6. "Mollison Lodge". Victorian Heritage Database. 9 October 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  7. Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 11 April 2008
  8. "Banyule Flats - A Hidden Treasure". Warringal Conservation Society. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  9. "Viewbank Primary School". Viewbank Primary School. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  10. "School profile | My School". myschool.edu.au. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  11. Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of state education in Victoria. General editor L.J. Blake. Melbourne: Education Department of Victoria. 1973. ISBN 0724104585.
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