Established 1924 Founded 1924 | Postcode(s) 3087 Area 240 ha Postal code 3087 Population 5,146 (2011 census) | |
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Location 16 km (10 mi) from Melbourne | ||
Watsonia is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north-east of Melbourne's Central Business District. Its local government area is the City of Banyule. At the 2011 census, Watsonia had a population of 5,146.
Contents
Map of Watsonia VIC 3087, Australia
History
Watsonia originally belonged to the Wurundjeri people. It is named after early property developer and landowner Frank Watson.
Watsonia was surveyed by Robert Hoddle in 1838 as part of the parish of Keelbundora, for subdivisional sale as farms. Until the 1870s, much of Watsonia remained part of the vast property holdings of John Brown. The Grace Park area was purchased in 1877 by Frederick Augustus Nell, and then by Frank Watson in the early twentieth century. Watson subdivided the property for housing in 1924. The area remained primarily rural until the 1940s, when property prices became affordable.
Watsonia and other landowners paid for the establishment of a railway station in order to attract property buyers. Watsonia railway station was named after Watson. Watsonia train station was opened on Monday 23 June 1924, between the existing Macleod and Greensborough Stations. The current Watsonia Station is in Zone 2 on the Hurstbridge railway line and is currently served by Metro Trains Melbourne. Watsonia Post Office opened around 1934.
Demographics
78.0% of Watsonia residents were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth other than Australia are England 2.3%, China (excluding SARs and Taiwan) 2.0%, India 1.3%, Italy 1.0% and Sri Lanka 0.8%.
Landmarks
Watsonia has the Simpson Army Barracks, Yallambie which was originally known as the Watsonia Military Camp during World War II. This complex was built on the property formerly owned by Ainslie Meares. In 1951, surrounding land was purchased for the extension of the barracks.
Watsonia is also the home to Watsonia Primary School, Greensborough College and Loyola College.
Sport
Watsonia Football Club, an Australian Rules football team, competes in the Northern Football League.
Popular Culture
The early 2000s punk indie band Klinger mentions a long trip from St. Kilda to Watsonia north in their hit song Hello Cruel World. They also had a much less successful song called Watsonia about the town itself. Lead singer & guitarist, Ben Birchall, lost his virginity in the back of a Corolla here, hence its importance in his song writing.