Montrose, Victoria

Montrose Melbourne, Victoria
Montrose
Coordinates	37°48′36″S 145°20′35″E / 37.81°S 145.343°E / -37.81; 145.343Coordinates: 37°48′36″S 145°20′35″E / 37.81°S 145.343°E / -37.81; 145.343
Population	6,732 (2011 census)[1]
• Density	612/km2 (1,590/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	3765
Area	11 km2 (4.2 sq mi)
Location	33 km (21 mi) from Melbourne 8 km (5 mi) from Lilydale 12 km (7 mi) from Ringwood
LGA(s)	Shire of Yarra Ranges
State electorate(s)	Monbulk
Federal Division(s)	Casey
Suburbs around Montrose: Mooroolbark Lilydale Mount Evelyn Kilsyth Montrose Silvan Bayswater North Mount Dandenong Kalorama

Montrose is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 33 km east of Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges. At the 2011 census, Montrose had a population of 6,732.^[1] Montrose varies in altitude, from about 91m to 324m above sea level. Montrose covers an area of about 1084 hectares or around 11 square kilometres (km2) (2680 acres)^[2]

Montrose is situated at the picturesque foothills of Mount Dandenong. Close to the Yarra Ranges, the Dandenong Ranges and the wineries of the Yarra Valley, it is a gateway to many tourist destinations, offering a variety of Bed and Breakfast venues for visitors. Montrose also offers a range of fine dining options and a selection of tea houses including a large fine chocolate shop.

Local sporting clubs, churches, schools surround the town centre, which hosts a weekend craft market. The Montrose Market is held each third Saturday of the month, except in January.^[3]

History

Prior to 1892 the area was referred to as South Mooroolbark. Local landowner James Walker, whose son had a store in Colchester Road, Kilsyth, named Rose Mont, called the settlement Montrose in the early 1890s. By the 1970s Montrose had become part of the sprawl of suburbs extending into the Dandenongs.^[4][5]

The Post Office opened on 17 December 1898.

Montrose was home to the museum of the Australian author, May Gibbs, creator of the Gumnut Babies.

Education

• Montrose Primary School (School No. 2259)

Established in 1880. Serves students in grades Prep -Year Six. The Principal is Neil Pollard. Located on Leith Road.

• Billanook Primary School (School No. 5193)

Established in 1980. Serves students in grades Prep -Year Six. The Principal is Julie Legione. Located on Sheffield Road.

Recreation

The Montrose Recreation Reserve is home to the:

• Montrose Coterie Group
• Montrose Tennis Club
• Montrose Scouts

• Montrose Playground

A popular destination for families. The playground is largely made from a recycled plastic material. It also features some wonderful artwork all completed by local artists ^[6]

• Montrose Social Soccer Club

Montrose is home to one of the largest soccer clubs in the Bayside League. Based at Keith Hume Fraser Reserve, in 2011 the club has over 100 senior playing members, both women and men, as well as over 100 junior members and is continuing to grow. http://www.montrosesoccer.com

• Montrose Football Club

The suburb has an Australian Rules football team, The Montrose Demons, competing in the Eastern Football League

• Montrose Cricket Club

Montrose also has a cricket club, The Montrose Wolves, competing in the R.D.C.A ^[7]

• Montrose Calisthenics Club

Calisthenics has been operating in Montrose for over 40 years. Calisthenics is an artistic team sport unique to Australia.

• Community Groups: Montrose & District Lions Club was formed in March 2006. Formal meetings are held monthly.

Transport

The closest train station is in Mooroolbark, approximately 5.7 km ^[8] which is on the Lilydale railway line

In addition, Telebus services, where passengers can request to be picked up or dropped off from home, also operate in the area.

Churches

• Church of Christ Montrose^[9]
• Montrose Spiritualist Church^[10]

Notable people

-Kevin Heinze was a pioneering presenter of gardening on television in Australia. He hosted a gardening program for ABC Television entitled 'Sow What', which was mostly shot on location at his one-hectare home garden in Montrose, from 1967 to 1988. Heinze died on 1 September 2008, aged 80. His garden was donated to the local shire council to enable the public to visit in the future.

References