Geelong West, Victoria

Geelong West
Geelong, Victoria

The former City of Geelong West Town Hall
Geelong West
Coordinates 38°08′S 144°21′E / 38.133°S 144.350°E / -38.133; 144.350Coordinates: 38°08′S 144°21′E / 38.133°S 144.350°E / -38.133; 144.350
Population 12,121 (2006)[1]
Postcode(s) 3218
LGA(s) City of Greater Geelong
State electorate(s) Geelong
Federal Division(s) Corio
Suburbs around Geelong West:
Hamlyn Heights North Geelong Drumcondra
Manifold Heights Geelong West Geelong CBD
Newtown Newtown Geelong CBD

Geelong West is a commercial and residential suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. When Geelong was founded, the area was known as Kildare but its name was changed to Geelong West in 1875. The main street is Pakington Street.

History

Ashby was once a suburb of Geelong located in the area of Geelong West, west of Latrobe Terrace, between Aberdeen Street and Church Street. By 1850 this area had become known as Little Scotland, and Kildare. At this point, Ashby referred to the area between Autumn Street and Waratah Street.

In 1875 the entire Ashby area was renamed West Geelong. The Ashby state school, which had only opened that same year, changed its name to Geelong West. In 1988, as part of Australia's bicentennial celebrations, the school changed its name back to Ashby. A Post Office named Geelong West opened on 1 July 1865 but was replaced and renamed Geelong North Railway Station in 1886. On 1 April 1887 the Geelong West office reopened near its present location. In 1960 Shandeen Post Office opened near the corner of Aberdeen Road and Shannon Avenue.[2]

Geelong West was served by an electric tramway service from 1912 until 1956,[3] when the service was replaced by buses subcontracted out to Benders Buslines (currently owned by Kefford Corporation).

The M. Donaghy & Sons ropeworks factory was once located in Pakington Street, Geelong West. The site has been developed, with construction of a Woolworths Supermarket and space for specialty shops.[4] Construction commenced in January 2008 and Woolworths began trading in late 2008. This was the first store to open in the Geelong area under the new national name and new logo of Woolworths when the chain changed its name from Safeway in the state of Victoria.

Heritage listed sites

Geelong West contains a number of heritage listed sites, including:

Notable people

Journalist and publisher J. F. Archibald was born in Geelong West in 1856. A memorial bust was erected on the corner of Weddell Road and Church St in 1956. .

Pako Festa

Main article: Pako Festa

The Pako Festa is an annual festival held in Pakington Street, Geelong West each year around late February. In 2006 it was held on 25 February. The festival is held to promote cultural diversity and show appreciation for the artwork and fashion designed by citizens of the Geelong area. This is a great family event that happens yearly and is highly recommended to all who could make it.

Sport

The suburb has an Australian rules football team competing in the Geelong Football League[11] and a team competing in the Geelong & District Football League.

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Geelong West (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2007-10-01.
  2. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  3. ↑ "Geelong tramways - a short history". Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  4. ↑ "Geelong Advertiser - 'Government approves $12.5 million Ropeworks plan'". Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  5. ↑ "Former Harp Inn (H0585)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  6. ↑ "Former Donaghy's Rope Walk (H1169)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  7. ↑ "Reformed Church of Geelong (H1145)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  8. ↑ "Residence (H1124)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  9. ↑ "Former Shearers Arms Hotel (H0661)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  10. ↑ "St Elmo (H1180)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  11. ↑ Full Points Footy. "Geelong West Saint Peters". Retrieved 2008-07-25.

External links

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