Broadmeadows and Westmeadows: A Journey Through Local History
The story of the Broadmeadows area is one of gradual migration and urban evolution. Long before European arrival, this land was the home of the Wurundjeri Aboriginal tribe. By the 1840s, the landscape began to change as pastoralists settled in the region, laying the groundwork for the townships that would eventually define the area.
The Origins of Broadmeadows Village
The original Broadmeadows Village was established along the Moonee Ponds Creek in the area now known as Westmeadows. A formal government survey in 1850 laid out the first township, with Ardlie Street serving as the commercial heart. This early hub featured essential services, including a police station, the Shire office (the District Roads Board Building, opened in 1866), and the Broadmeadows Hotel, which operates today as the Westmeadows Tavern.
Communication and education also took root early. The first Broadmeadows Post Office opened on January 1, 1855; it underwent several name changes, becoming Broadmeadows West in 1955 and finally Westmeadows in 1963. Education began in Westmeadows in 1851, though the current primary school site was established later, in 1870.
Religious life flourished during the mid-19th century. An Anglican Church opened in 1850, followed by a Presbyterian Church in the same decade. The Anglican Vicarage was established in 1860, and St Anne's Roman Catholic Church opened its doors in 1867.
The Shift Toward the Railway
The geography of the community shifted significantly in 1872 with the opening of the railway line and station. This infrastructure caused the urban center and the Broadmeadows township to migrate approximately two kilometers eastward. Despite this shift, administrative loyalties remained with the original township until 1928, when new civic offices were constructed near the railway station.
In the mid-20th century, the area saw a massive expansion. In 1949, the Housing Commission began developing a 2,226-hectare estate. It wasn't until 1975 that development returned to the vicinity of the old township in a project called Westmeadows Heights, where over 900 houses were constructed between 1975 and 1979.
Historic Landmarks of Westmeadows
Many remnants of the early settlement survive in Westmeadows today. Notable sites listed on the Register of the National Estate (a list of heritage places) include the original Shire Offices and the 1869 Bluestone Bridge over the Moonee Ponds Creek on Fawkner Street.
Other surviving structures include the original Westmeadows Police Station and the Westmeadows Gaol. The original Anglican church on Raleigh Street also remains in active use.
One of the most intriguing sites is the Old Coach House at 10 Broad Street, dating back to the 1860s. Local history suggests this site was Grant's Livery Stables in 1850, serving as a vital stop-over for Cobb & Co. coaches traveling between Melbourne and Broadmeadows. These coaches ran daily from the Bush Inn on Bourke Street in Melbourne, departing at 4:00 pm and returning the following morning at 8:00 am, with a return fare of 4/-.
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Key Facts
- Indigenous Heritage: Originally inhabited by the Wurundjeri Aboriginal tribe.
- Township Shift: The center of Broadmeadows moved 2km east in 1872 due to the arrival of the railway.
- Housing Boom: A 2,226 ha. Housing Commission estate began in 1949.
- Heritage Sites: The Bluestone Bridge (1869) and Shire Offices are on the Register of the National Estate.
- Transport History: The Old Coach House served as a stop for Cobb & Co. coaches.
| Year | Event/Establishment |
|---|---|
| 1840s | Settlement by pastoralists |
| 1850 | First Broadmeadows township survey; Anglican Church opens |
| 1851 | First school begins in Westmeadows |
| 1855 | First Broadmeadows Post Office opens |
| 1866 | District Roads Board Building (Shire office) opens |
| 1869 | Bluestone Bridge built over Moonee Ponds Creek |
| 1872 | Railway line and station open, shifting the urban center |
| 1928 | New civic offices built near the railway station |
| 1949 | Housing Commission begins 2,226 ha. estate |
| 1975-1979 | Construction of 900+ houses in Westmeadows Heights |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who lived in the Broadmeadows area before European settlement?
The area was home to the Wurundjeri Aboriginal tribe prior to the arrival of European settlers.
Why did the center of Broadmeadows move east?
The urban center shifted approximately two kilometers east following the opening of the railway line and station in 1872.
What is the significance of the Old Coach House?
Located at 10 Broad Street, it is believed to have been Grant's Livery Stables in 1850 and a stop for Cobb & Co. coaches traveling between Melbourne and Broadmeadows.
Which landmarks in Westmeadows are on the Register of the National Estate?
The Shire Offices and the Bluestone Bridge over the Moonee Ponds Creek are both listed on the Register of the National Estate.
When was the Westmeadows Heights housing project developed?
The Housing Commission built over 900 houses in the Westmeadows Heights area between 1975 and 1979.