Ferntree Gully, Victoria

Natural features include a large part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park which forms a picturesque backdrop to Ferntree Gully, especially the Ferntree Gully village part of the suburb. Important features of that national park include One Tree Hill (formerly a fire-lookout, but now covered with trees, the lookout is in disrepair) and the Kokoda Trail, a memorial walk dedicated to the Kokoda Trail of WW2 (includes interpretive signage)- this part of the National Park is located in the neighbouring suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully- and accessed via the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road. It is also a place for picnics and exercise, where many community groups meet.

[edit] History

Ferntree Gully, initially known as Fern Tree Gully, is named after the gully which runs from One Tree Hill to the Upper Ferntree Gully township. The picturesque scenery and lush flora started attracting recreational visitors from the 1870's. In 1882 the gully was set aside for public use. Throughout the 1880's the township began to grow, shops were established, as well as hotels, churches, and a primary school. With the arrival of the railway line (extended from Ringwood) in 1889, the area became more accessible to visitors. Initially the line terminated at Upper Ferntree Gully, with a narrow-gauge line extending to Gembrook. The shire of Fern Tree Gully was proclaimed the same year. The old shire offices, in Ferntree Gully, have been restored and now house a community health service. They were also used as the local library for many years. The Ferntree Gully cemetery is the resting place of a number of historically significant local people.

Ambleside Homestead, in Olivebank Road, Ferntree Gully, is the base for the Knox Historical Society. It was built in the 1890's and is the local history museum. It holds extensive collections of historic documents and photographs dating back to the 1800's. Period furnishings and artefacts and vintage farm equipment reflect the pioneer life and development of the area. Ambleside is open each Sunday from 1p.m. to 4p.m. and on other days by appointment. Access the Knox History database through www.khs.relics.com

[edit] Community

There is the Ferntree Gully library and community centre, where the Knox Festival is held in March of every second year (the alternate Festival being held in Rowville).

Also the Christmas Carols are in Ferntree Gully. Formerly on Dorset Road (the Arboretum), they are now on the grounds of the Community Centre every year in December.

Human features of Ferntree Gully include the Cool Store, the Knox Environment Society (based at the rear of Ferntree Gully Secondary College) and the Knox Historical Society (based at Ambleside Historical homestead). Also there are two pubs, both on Burwood Highway, and the Mountain Gate shopping precinct. There is a retirement village (Amaroo).

A Community Supermarket located at 18 Alpine Street, Ferntree Gully was established by the Bayside Dream Centre to provide groceries and other essential items to disadvantaged people within the community at affordable prices. This service is available to all people, not only health-care or concession card owners. It is a not-for-profit enterprise.

[edit] Places of Worship

There are a number of groups providing for the local community. These include St Bartholomew's Anglican Church, Hills Christian Life Church, Ferntree Gully Baptist Church, Ferntree Gully Independent Baptist Church, Armenian Catholic Church, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Foothills Community Church, Knoxfield Church of Christ, Olive Branch Fellowship, Salvation Army and Ferntree Gully Uniting Church.

[edit] Sport

There are a number of sports represented in Ferntree Gully including cricket, netball (the Mountain Districts Netball Association courts are based in Ferntree Gully, basketball, Australian rules football, baseball, tennis, swimming (Knox-Sherbrooke Swimming Centre), table tennis, lawn bowls and gymnastics (Knox Gymnastics Centre).

[edit] Community Groups

Community groups include Scouts, Girl Guides, Rotary and Probus Club.

[edit] Education

Schools include Ferntree Gully Secondary College (7-12), St Joseph's Regional College (Boys Catholic, 7-12) and several primary schools, including Wattleview, Ferntree Gully North, Kent Park, St John the Baptist, and Fairhills. The U3A (University of the Third Age) for retired persons is a co-operative education setting located in Ferntree Gully.