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Bayside History

Bunurong aborigines lived along the coastal dunes prior to European settlement.
Settlement of Port Phillip was officially recognised in 1836.
The Bayside area was largely inaccessible bushland used as cattle runs, including Moysey's Run which was named "Beaumaris".
H.B. Foot's survey of the district paved the way for subdivision and early urban settlement.
Brighton was first established by Henry Dendy who selected a land parcel of 5,120 acres in 1841.
Both Were and Dendy established farms in the 1840's, providing fruit and vegetables for the Melbourne market. Market gardens were established in the area away from the coast.
After initial interest during the gold rush boom, development was slow.
1850's onwards, the area's beaches and natural attractions lead to its emergence as a popular destination for holiday makers and day trippers. The number of Melbourne's wealthier citizens who owned houses as either summer of permanent residences continues to grow.
Hampton was originally called Retreat after the Retreat Hotel.
Early names for Sandringham were Pic Nic or Pic Nic Point.
1860's - 1870's Market Gardens flourished in Sandringham, Brighton and Moorabbin.
1861 - Brighton Beach Rail Line opened.
1880's - The railways provided the impetus for the land boom, with speculative subdivision and rapid population growth.
The bathing and leisure customs of the era led to the development of salt water baths, bathing boxes, boat sheds, yacht clubs and jetties.
1882 - Growth in residential subdivision led to duplication of Brighton Beach railway line.
1887 - Railway line extended to Sandringham as a shuttle service.
1889 - horse tram connected Sandringham with Cheltenham and Moorabbin via Rickets Point.
1906 - A tram service operated from St Kilda station to Brighton Beach station.
In the early 1920's, the Soldier Settlement Board promoted development with the opening of new subdivisions such as the Castlefield Estate.
The area remained popular for day trips until after the Second World War, when remaining unoccupied land was subdivided for housing and industry.
1950's - Housing Commission developed Hampton East and Highett Estates for ex-servicemen.
Suburban expansion and redevelopment has continued throughout the twentieth century.

Key identities in Bayside's history

J.B. Were
Sir Thomas Bent
Henry Dendy
George Higginbotham
Charles Ebden
Josiah Holloway
David Abbott

Historical landmarks

Tommy Bent statue
Castlefield (now part of Haileybury College)
Coggeshall (now Sandringham Club)
Middle Brighton Sea Baths
Edgecliff (now Hampton Rehabilitation Hospital)
HMVS Cerberus (Breakwater at Black Rock)
J7 Submarine (Sandringham harbour)
Great Southern Hotel ( now Hotel Beaumaris)
Black Rock House
Billilla
Kamesburgh (Anzac House)

The municipality features a number of buildings on historic registers including the Historic Buildings register, National Trust listings, local planning scheme etc. Features listed range from horse troughs and tram shelters through to large historical mansions. There are two Urban Conservation Areas in Bayside.

General Information on local history is available through Bayside libraries. Council owns several heritage properties, including Black Rock House (open Sundays 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm) and Billilla Historic Homestead (open Sundays, when no private functions booked.)

Black Rock House
Ebden Avenue, Black Rock Tel: 9589 1237 (Friends of Black Rock House)

Billilla Historic Homestead
Halifax Street, Brighton Tel: 9521 5477

Bayside History Trail:

Bayside has a rich history, and the foreshore has a large number of historic sites. Approximately 40 sites of historic interest were identified along the 17.5 kilometers of foreshore and from these 15 were chosen to be part of the History Trail.

Those listed were chosen because of their historical significance, likely public interest and geographical position.

These sites have been researched and photographs sourced to illustrate the text. Sketch plans have been prepared of each site with supporting photographs. Permission slips are supplied, where required, for use of photographs.

Historical Societies:

Brighton Historical Society
Bayside Arts & Cultural Centre
Brighton Town Hall, Cnr Wilson & Carpenter Streets
PO Box 266
Brighton VIC 3186
Telephone: 03 9553 8650
Website: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~vbhs/

Sandringham and District Historical Society
6 Waltham Street
Sandringham VIC 3191
Telephone: 03 9597 0985
Email: sandringhamhistorical@gmail.com
Website: www.sandringhamhistorical.org.au

Friends of Black Rock House
34 Ebden Avenue
PO Box 200
Black Rock VIC 3193
Telephone: 03 9589 5763

For further information, please contact Bayside City Council on 9599 4444.

05-Sep-2008