Knoxfield, Victoria

History

Knoxfield is named after Sir George Hodges Knox, former local and state parliamentarian.

Development of the area dates primarily from the 1950s and rapid growth took place during the 1960s and 1970s. Knoxfield Post Office opened on 31 July 1961 as the suburb was developed. The northern area of Knoxfield experienced substantial growth from the 1970s. The population increased during the early 1990s, and then was relatively stable from the mid-1990s, a result of new dwellings being added to the area. There has been a recent decline in the average number of persons living in each dwelling.

Knoxfield is unique, as most of the streets are named after the residents who lived there. Some people are still living in the streets that were named after them.

Today

Knoxfield has a small industrial area mainly concerned with the production and sale of food. A small number of graphic design businesses and printeries make their home in Knoxfield. The suburb is well known for the Knox Athletics Track and the Gilbert Reserve. Gilbert Reserve is quite large, and regularly holds softball and baseball matches. Knoxfield also boasts a large BMX track, which is often used for BMX competitions and the R.D. Egan-Lee Reserve which is regularly used by walkers and hosts a soccer club. The track is also open for use by the public. Next to Gilbert Reserve is a local skatepark which was accessible from early 2008. There is a Coles Express service station on the corner of Ferntree Gully Road and Scoresby road which sells fuel as well as a small selection from the Coles Supermarket range.

Also in Knoxfield, there is the Carrington Park Leisure Centre, which is mainly used for gymnastics and fitness. It has also hosted state and national competitions. A family play centre called Big Slide is located in Knoxfield The Eastern Sports Centre also calls Knoxfield home and hosts futsal, indoor soccer, netball, and cricket. There are also a number of decorated bus shelters which are the creation of the Placemakers.

Demographics

The most common ancestries in Knoxfield were Australian 25.6%, English 24.8%, Scottish 6.9%, Irish 6.8% and Chinese 6.4%. 69.2% of people were born in Australia. The most common other countries of birth were England 4.7%, China 2.3%, India 2.1%, Sri Lanka 2.0% and Malaysia 1.8%. The most common responses for religion in Knoxfield (State Suburbs) were No Religion 25.8%, Catholic 23.1%, Anglican 12.8%, Uniting Church 4.9% and Buddhism 3.9%. 77.2% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 3.0%, Cantonese 2.9%, Sinhalese 1.5%, Greek 1.3% and Italian 1.0%.

Education

Schools in Knoxfield include Fairhills High School, Knox Park Primary School and Carrington Primary School (formerly Knoxfield Primary School). Knoxfield Primary School merged with Scoresby Heights Primary School in 1994 to create Carrington Primary School.

Shopping in Knoxfield

Knoxfield is home to two shopping strips. A medium shopping strip known as the Knoxfield Shops on Ferntree Gully road, and the Anne Road shops on Anne Road.

Knoxfield shops or Bottom Shops

Knoxfield is home to a small shopping strip, with shops including the pizza shops, Pharmacy, Knoxfield Florist, one fish and chip shop, Beauty salon, Hairdresser shops, an IGA supermarket, Diamonds and Lace Lingerie, a sandwich bar/cafe, Take away cafe, Medical Clinic, Tution, Butcher, Knoxfield Newsagency & Tattslotto, Knoxfield Hot Bread bakery, a milkbar, Knoxfield Thai restaurant, Muscular Health Therapy, charcoal chicken shops, A'blaze Hair Artistry hairdresser, and a Chinese Restaurant.

Anne Road shops or Top Shops

There is also a small shopping strip on Anne Road, with shops including the Hammad Mohamad Milkbar, Al Pacino's Pizzeria, Cleo's Quality Fish & Chips, knoxfield Power Tools, Fruit Market, Centre of Wellbeing, and the Shikarnya Hair Salon.

Sport in Knoxfield

Knoxfield has a rich sporting culture and there are several sporting clubs who call the various sports fields, tracks and courses in Knoxfield home. There are also other sporting facilities including a BMX track, a leisure centre, and skate park.

Golfers play at the course of the Waterford Valley Golf Course on Bunjil Way.

The Knoxfield Knights Cricket Club is based at Carrington Park.

The Knox Athletics Track hosts a variety of sport and events including Little Athletics and the Knox Athletics Club

Gilbert Reserve is home to the Knox & District Softball Association and its related teams as well as The Knox Falcons Baseball Club

Next to Gilbert Park is the Knox Skate and BMX Park which is regularly used by skateboarders, bikers, and scooter riders.

Knoxfield also boasts a large BMX track, which is often used for BMX competitions. The track is also open for use by the public and is regularly attending by BMX and biking enthusiasts of all ages.

The R.D. Egan-Lee Reserve is also in Knoxfield and is home to the Knox City Soccer Club Ltd

Leisure Centre

The Carrington Park Leisure Centre is mainly used for gymnastics and fitness. It has hosted various state and national competitions. It is also the home of the Omega Trampoline Club, Ferntree Gully Basketball Club, Knox Table Tennis Club and Chinese Elderly Citizens Club. It also boasts facilities such as meeting rooms, a kitchen, disabled access, toilet and car parking, change rooms, trampoline facilities, squash courts and boxing facilities.

Knoxfield is a home for two Scouts groups: 1st Knoxfield group located in Carrington Reserve, and 2nd Knoxfield group located in R.D. Egan-Lee Reserve