Nunawading Local History
Nunawading is a suburb located in the eastern part of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The suburb was originally inhabited by the Wurundjeri people, a group of Indigenous Australians. In the 1840s and 1850s, European settlers began to arrive in the area, attracted by the fertile soil and the availability of water.
The name Nunawading comes from the Wurundjeri word "noonawading", which means "battlefield" or "place of fighting". This is believed to refer to a battle that took place between the Wurundjeri and the Bunurong people on the banks of the Blackburn Creek, which runs through the suburb.
During the late 1800s, Nunawading was primarily a farming community, with orchards and market gardens supplying produce to the nearby city of Melbourne. In 1890, a railway line was built through the suburb, connecting it to the city and making it easier for farmers to transport their goods.
By the early 1900s, Nunawading had started to grow as a residential suburb, with new housing developments being built along the railway line. The suburb also became a hub for light industry, with factories and workshops being established in the area.
During World War II, Nunawading played a significant role in Australia's war effort, with munitions factories and other war-related industries operating in the area. After the war, the suburb continued to grow, with more housing developments and commercial developments being built.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Nunawading underwent a period of significant urban renewal, with many of the older houses and buildings being demolished and replaced with new, modern structures. This period of development continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with the construction of new shopping centers and commercial developments.
Today, Nunawading is a thriving suburb with a population of over 11,000 people. It is home to a number of schools, parks, and recreational facilities, and is well-served by public transport, with both train and bus services operating in the area.
Despite its suburban development, Nunawading has managed to retain some of its natural beauty and cultural heritage. The Blackburn Creeklands, a strip of parkland along the Blackburn Creek, provides a natural oasis in the heart of the suburb, and is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
The Nunawading Community Centre, located in the old Nunawading Primary School building, is a popular gathering place for local residents, hosting a range of events and activities throughout the year.
All in all, Nunawading has a rich and fascinating history, and continues to be a vibrant and dynamic community in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.