Watsonia, Victoria

Watsonia Melbourne, Victoria
Watsonia shops
Watsonia
Coordinates	37°42′29″S 145°04′59″E / 37.708°S 145.083°E / -37.708; 145.083Coordinates: 37°42′29″S 145°04′59″E / 37.708°S 145.083°E / -37.708; 145.083
Population	5,146 (2011 census)[1]
• Density	2,140/km2 (5,550/sq mi)
Established	1924
Postcode(s)	3087
Area	2.4 km2 (0.9 sq mi)
Location	16 km (10 mi) from Melbourne
LGA(s)	City of Banyule
State electorate(s)	Bundoora Ivanhoe
Federal Division(s)	Jagajaga
Suburbs around Watsonia: Bundoora Watsonia North Greensborough Watsonia Greensborough Macleod Yallambie Yallambie

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.

History

Watsonia originally belonged to the Wurundjeri people.^[2] 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.^[2] 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^[3] 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.

Watson 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.^[4]

Demographics

In Watsonia 78.0% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were England 2.3%, China (excludes 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.^[5]

See also

• Shire of Diamond Valley - the former local government area of which Watsonia was a part

References