The Basin, Victoria
Encyclopedia
The Basin is a suburb in Melbourne
, Victoria
, Australia
, 31 km east from Melbourne's central business district
. Its Local Government Area is the City of Knox
. At the 2006 Census, The Basin had a population of 4108.
people of the Kulin nation are the acknowledged traditional custodians of the land on which The Basin and all of City of Knox is located (source: City of Knox publication).
named the area The Basin about 1860 during a visit to the Dandenong Ranges because it is located in a "basin" surrounded by hills. (source: Knox Historical Society) "The Basin" is shown on an 1868 survey plan, when settlers had taken licences or made freehold purchases of the land.
was a horticulturalist and Fern Tree Gully Shire President (1938-39) who later went on to be a member of State Parliament.
Notable settlers included J.J. Miller, book-maker and publisher of Miller's Racing Guide. In 1872, Miller acquired land at The Basin in 1872 and invested considerable time and money building up a stud farm for racing horses, at one stage owning over 1000 acres (4 km²) in The Basin. To encourage summer tourists to visit and see the stables, training facilities and horses, Miller ran a private coach service from Forest Road in The Basin to Bayswater Railway Station
. He also helped publicise the district with a gigantic fireworks display each Christmas. Miller was prominent in local affairs and was the first President of the new Shire of Fern Tree Gully. In 1888, Miller was the first in the area to secure a wine licence at his home. Miller faced financial ruin in the 1890s when the sweepstakes were declared illegal and he had to give up his property at The Basin. The home remains as a significant local historical building. http://www.knox.vic.gov.au/upload/Knox%20Historic%20Homesteads.pdf
The Basin Post Office opened around 1902.
and the Dandenong Ranges National Park
, including Doongalla Forest. This was formerly part of the Doongalla Estate purchased by Sir Matthew Davies in 1891. The residential development of the suburb includes bushy parks such as Wicks Reserve and some farmland.
A significant natural resource is an operating farm that is owned and operated by the Salvation Army
and includes a community church. The farm was purchased by the Salvation Army from David Dobson and others in 1897. In the same year a boys' home was established on the purchased land, in response to a government request for church groups to support boys who commit criminal offences. The home was originally named "The Eden". At its height, it provided for 110 boys (source: historical marker). The Salvation Army's site on Basin Olinda Road, The Basin is used for school camps, conferences and functions.
Another significant property, "Como" is open each year as part of the Victorian Open Gardens scheme. This was formerly owned by the Chandler family.
Important buildings include the Progress Hall and Elderly Citizens Hall—both are adjacent to The Basin triangle (a children's park and open space).
runs through The Basin to Sassafras
. It is a challenging and popular cycling route for people in Melbourne.
Easy access to the CBD via the train from Boronia Station. Plenty of parking spaces and only 45 mins during peak time on an express train.
There are two pre-schools—The Basin Pre-school (Forest Road) and Goodwin Estate pre-school (Rome Beauty Avenue).
Local groups include the Country Fire Authority
and The 1st Basin Scout Group
.
The inaugural The Basin Music Festival
was held in March 2005 and is held annually every March. Details of musicians and tickets can be found at The Basin Music Festival website.
There are five religious based centres including the Romanian Seventh-day Adventist Church
and convention centre, "Clevedon" camp and conference centre (Uniting Church), St Bernadette's Catholic Mass centre (part of the primary school) and Vinayagar Hindu Temple.
The Knox library has operated a mobile library service for The Basin since 1985. The mobile library stops outside the Basin Shops twice a week. Its collection includes a selection of audio, large print, children's and young adult books.
.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, 31 km east from Melbourne's central business district
Melbourne city centre
Melbourne City Centre is an area of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. It is not to be confused with the larger local government area of the City of Melbourne...
. Its Local Government Area is the City of Knox
City of Knox
The City of Knox is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of and has a estimated population of 155,969 people.-History:...
. At the 2006 Census, The Basin had a population of 4108.
Traditional custodians
Prior to European settlement, The Basin and surrounding suburbs were often visited by aborigines from the Westernport and Yarra Yarra tribes—hunting in the summer months in the Dandenong Ranges and its foothills. The WurundjeriWurundjeri
The Wurundjeri are a people of the Indigenous Australian nation of the Woiwurrung language group, in the Kulin alliance, who occupy the Birrarung Valley, its tributaries and the present location of Melbourne, Australia...
people of the Kulin nation are the acknowledged traditional custodians of the land on which The Basin and all of City of Knox is located (source: City of Knox publication).
Origin of the name
The Government Botanist Ferdinand von MuellerFerdinand von Mueller
Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, KCMG was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist.-Early life:...
named the area The Basin about 1860 during a visit to the Dandenong Ranges because it is located in a "basin" surrounded by hills. (source: Knox Historical Society) "The Basin" is shown on an 1868 survey plan, when settlers had taken licences or made freehold purchases of the land.
Early European settlers
Significant early European settlers included the Chandler family. William Chandler was a market gardener who arrived in Victoria in 1854 and eventually settled in The Basin in 1873. He was the first in the area to crossbreed seeds and produce exceptional flowers and vegetables. William and Kate Chandler planted an acorn soon after they settled in The Basin—the English Oak still stands (source—historical marker). Two of William Chandler's sons established plant nurseries in the area and his grandson, Sir Gilbert ChandlerGilbert Chandler
Sir Gilbert Lawrence Chandler, CMG, KBE was a Liberal Party of Australia politician who served in the Bolte Ministry in Victoria....
was a horticulturalist and Fern Tree Gully Shire President (1938-39) who later went on to be a member of State Parliament.
Notable settlers included J.J. Miller, book-maker and publisher of Miller's Racing Guide. In 1872, Miller acquired land at The Basin in 1872 and invested considerable time and money building up a stud farm for racing horses, at one stage owning over 1000 acres (4 km²) in The Basin. To encourage summer tourists to visit and see the stables, training facilities and horses, Miller ran a private coach service from Forest Road in The Basin to Bayswater Railway Station
Bayswater railway station, Melbourne
Bayswater is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the suburb of Bayswater, on the Belgrave railway line. Bayswater is classed as a Premium Station and is in Metcard Zone 2.-Facilities:...
. He also helped publicise the district with a gigantic fireworks display each Christmas. Miller was prominent in local affairs and was the first President of the new Shire of Fern Tree Gully. In 1888, Miller was the first in the area to secure a wine licence at his home. Miller faced financial ruin in the 1890s when the sweepstakes were declared illegal and he had to give up his property at The Basin. The home remains as a significant local historical building. http://www.knox.vic.gov.au/upload/Knox%20Historic%20Homesteads.pdf
The Basin Post Office opened around 1902.
Government
Residents are represented in the Victorian Parliament (Legislative Assembly) by the member for the electorate of Monbulk and in the Federal Parliament (House of Representatives) by the member for the electorate of LaTrobe.Media
The Boronia and The Basin Community Newspaper (BBCN) is produced and distributed each month by local volunteers. It focuses on local stories and history, including feature articles on immigrants' stories and local businesses.Parks and gardens
The Basin forms one of Melbourne's "green wedges" and is nestled into the forest covered foothills of Mount DandenongMount Dandenong, Victoria
Mount Dandenong is both a mountain and small township/suburb of Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 35 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges...
and the Dandenong Ranges National Park
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Dandenong Ranges National Park is in Victoria, Australia, 38 km east of Melbourne.Because the park is located in an urban area, the park has a long history of major problems with feral and roaming animals...
, including Doongalla Forest. This was formerly part of the Doongalla Estate purchased by Sir Matthew Davies in 1891. The residential development of the suburb includes bushy parks such as Wicks Reserve and some farmland.
A significant natural resource is an operating farm that is owned and operated by the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
and includes a community church. The farm was purchased by the Salvation Army from David Dobson and others in 1897. In the same year a boys' home was established on the purchased land, in response to a government request for church groups to support boys who commit criminal offences. The home was originally named "The Eden". At its height, it provided for 110 boys (source: historical marker). The Salvation Army's site on Basin Olinda Road, The Basin is used for school camps, conferences and functions.
Another significant property, "Como" is open each year as part of the Victorian Open Gardens scheme. This was formerly owned by the Chandler family.
Important buildings include the Progress Hall and Elderly Citizens Hall—both are adjacent to The Basin triangle (a children's park and open space).
Transport
Mountain HighwayMountain Highway
Mountain Highway is a 18 km highway in Eastern Melbourne. Mountain Highway starts from Burwood Highway and runs through The Basin, then uphill to Sassafras. For most of its length it is dual carriageway, with 2 or 3 lanes in each Direction. From Burwood Highway to Forest Road in the suburb of The...
runs through The Basin to Sassafras
Sassafras, Victoria
Sassafras is a locality and township within Greater Melbourne beyond the Melbourne metropolitan area Urban Growth Boundary, 43 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges. At the 2006 Census, Sassafras had a population of 968...
. It is a challenging and popular cycling route for people in Melbourne.
Easy access to the CBD via the train from Boronia Station. Plenty of parking spaces and only 45 mins during peak time on an express train.
Education
The suburb has two primary schools, both located on Mountain Highway.- The Basin Primary school. The original school building is used today to house the administration offices of the school. http://www.thebasinps.vic.edu.au
- St Bernadette's Catholic Primary school. The school opened on Wednesday 2 February 1983. The land had been purchased many years earlier in anticipation of the need for a Catholic School. http://www.stbernds.melb.catholic.edu.au
There are two pre-schools—The Basin Pre-school (Forest Road) and Goodwin Estate pre-school (Rome Beauty Avenue).
Retail
There are a small number of shops and restaurants amidst a village atmosphere. Retail outlets include a licensed post office, cafés, milk bar, liquor store, greengrocer, jeweller, butcher, cafés , bookstore, restaurants, hairdressing salons, fish and chips, chocolate café and woman's boutique clothing shop.Culture and community
The Basin Theatre Group is a local amateur theatre group that has operated since the first gathering of friends by Edna Chandler in 1954. Early productions were first conducted in the Basin Progress Hall. In 1962 the group constructed an A-frame barn that became known as The Hut. Later in 1973, the group constructed a larger theatre on land donated by Edna and Fergus Chandler. The group conducts four productions per year that include a range of performances in all theatrical styles. The Basin Theatre Group’s mission is to provide a variety of theatrical productions that are high quality and affordable, and at times, extraordinary and inspiring. Details of productions and booking information can be found on The Basin Theatre Website.Local groups include the Country Fire Authority
Country Fire Authority
Country Fire Authority, or CFA, is the name of the fire service that provides firefighting and other emergency services to all of the country areas and regional townships within the state of Victoria, Australia, as well as large portions of the outer suburban areas and growth corridors of Melbourne...
and The 1st Basin Scout Group
Scouting in Victoria
Scouting and Guiding in Victoria, a State of Australia, is predominantly represented by the state branch of Scouts Australia and Girl Guides Victoria, a member of Girl Guides Australia.-Scouts Australia - Victorian Branch:...
.
The inaugural The Basin Music Festival
The Basin Music Festival
The Basin Music Festival is held in March each year in the small fringe suburb/village of The Basin at the foot of Mount Dandenong, on the eastern outskirts of Melbourne, Australia....
was held in March 2005 and is held annually every March. Details of musicians and tickets can be found at The Basin Music Festival website.
There are five religious based centres including the Romanian Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
and convention centre, "Clevedon" camp and conference centre (Uniting Church), St Bernadette's Catholic Mass centre (part of the primary school) and Vinayagar Hindu Temple.
The Knox library has operated a mobile library service for The Basin since 1985. The mobile library stops outside the Basin Shops twice a week. Its collection includes a selection of audio, large print, children's and young adult books.
Sport
The town has two tennis clubs; Miller Park Tennis Club and Batterham Park Tennis Club,and Australian Rules football team, The Basin Bears, competing in the Eastern Football LeagueEastern Football League (Australia)
The Eastern Football League is an Australian rules football League, based in the eastern suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne....
.
External links
- History of the Basin—Updated Internet version of the book "The Basin 1868-1992: Fire on the Hill Flowers in the Valley" edited by Rick Coxhill.
- Australian Places—The Basin