Blackburn, Victoria

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Blackburn
city = Melbourne
state = vic


caption = Blackburn Lake Sanctuary
lga = City of Whitehorse
postcode = 3130
pop = 11,958 (2006)Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC21083 | name = Blackburn (State Suburb) | accessdate = 2007-10-01 | quick = on]
area = 5.8
est =
propval = $626,500 [ [http://www.domain.com.au/public/suburbprofile.aspx?suburb=Blackburn&postcode=3130 Blackburn] , accessed 12 August 2007]
stategov = Mitcham
fedgov = Deakin
dist1 = 19
location1= Melbourne
near-nw = Box Hill North
near-n = Blackburn North
near-ne = Nunawading
near-w = Box Hill
near-e = Nunawading
near-sw = Box Hill South
near-s = Blackburn South
near-se = Forest Hill

Blackburn is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The origin of the name Blackburn is not certain but may have been after an early settler or James Blackburn who designed Yan Yean reservoir. It lies within the City of Whitehorse in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

History

Europeans first settled the area of Blackburn in the 1840s. The area was densely wooded, though orchards and small farms were soon developed. In 1861 the Traveller's Rest Hotel was built on the current site of the Blackburn Hotel. A post office opened in 1876, establishing the name of the town as Blackburn Creek. By 1883 the name was shortened to Blackburn.

During the land boom of the 1880s, brickworks and quarries were established in the area. Blackburn railway station was built in 1882. A primary school was established in 1889.

A large part of Blackburn is of historical significance as it was built around the artificial Blackburn Lake built in 1889, now known as Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, which is now a beautiful spot for a walk, with the lake in the middle of the sanctuary. This was a popular day trip destination by train in the late 19th century. Some famous Australian artists used to paint in the bush around the Blackburn and Box Hill areas. Of these, Roberts and McCubbin are probably the most famous. The area is protected by strict planning controls restricting development and has retained a village atmosphere.

Facilities

The major shopping hub of Box Hill is only 2 train stops away, while 3 buses connect Blackburn to Forest Hill. It shares a postcode with Blackburn North and Blackburn South.Blackburn contains two railway stations, Laburnum and Blackburn, on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines, the latter which services the locality of Laburnum in the western part of the suburb.

port

There are many sporting clubs for all ages:

Football (Australian Rules): Blackburn Football Club

Cricket: Blackburn Cricket Club, Blackburn North Cricket Club, Blackburn South Cricket Club

Soccer: Blackburn Soccer Club, Blackburn North Baptist Soccer Club

Netball (Juniors): St. Thomas Netball Club, Laburnum Netball Club, Blackburn Burners Netball Club

Tennis: Blackburn Tennis Club

Local Schools

Blackburn contains five schools: Laburnum Primary School, Blackburn Primary School, [http://www.blps.vic.edu.au/ Blackburn Lake Primary School] , St Thomas Parish School and Blackburn High School.

ee also

* Laburnum, Victoria

External links

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20041119085059/www.arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/multimedia/gazetteer/list/blackburn.html Australian Places - Blackburn] (History)
* [http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au City of Whitehorse]

References