Beaconsfield (
Boonwurrung: ''Kemgrim'') is a suburb of
Melbourne
Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
,
Victoria,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
, south-east of Melbourne's
Central Business District
A central business district (CBD) is the Commerce, commercial and business center of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides wit ...
, located within the
Shire of Cardinia and
City of Casey local government area
A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a federated state, state, province, division (politica ...
s. Beaconsfield recorded a population of 7,267 at the
2021 census.
[
The suburb has its own ]railway station
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport using wheeled vehicles running in railway track, tracks, which usually consist of two parallel steel railway track, rails. Rail transport is one of the two primary means of ...
.
History
The area was named after Benjamin Disraeli
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (21 December 1804 – 19 April 1881) was a British statesman, Conservative Party (UK), Conservative politician and writer who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He played a ...
(Lord Beaconsfield).[Beaumont, ''Early Days of Berwick'' 1979 p.112]
Beaconsfield Post Office opened 1889 on Woods Street. It became the Beaconsfield Post Office in 1916 and was used for many years as a café, but was demolished in late October 2021.
The earlier Beaconsfield Railway Station Post Office opened on 1 January 1883.
In 1891 an area of Beaconsfield was renamed "Beaconsfield Upper" and around 1902 the Beaconsfield Railway Station was renamed to "Beaconsfield".
Facilities
The suburb has some small shopping centres such as "Beaconsfield Shopping Plaza" with shops such as an Aldi, Woolworths, bakeries, a post office, chemist, cafés and takeaway food shops, and the nearby "Beaconsfield Hub". Schools include Beaconsfield Primary, and St Francis Xavier College (Beaconsfield Campus). There are many cafés, restaurants and hairdressers around the commercial shopping area. The Beaconsfield CFA (Country Fire Authority) has their fire station in Woods Street.
The Akoonah Park Market is held every Sunday, and is very popular with local Berwick and Beaconsfield shoppers.
Historical Places of Interest
War cenotaph located on the corner of Woods Street and Old Princes Highway. It was unveiled in 1920.
Railway house built in 1888, near Beaconsfield Train Station. The large bunya bunya pine to the front of the property is listed as a significant tree.
Shipwatcher's lookout is marked by a large granite rock and plaque, on the side of Cooinda Road.
Parks
Beaconsfield Flora and Fauna Reserve on the Beaconsfield Emerald Road.
Beaconsfield Park located on the corner of Beaconsfield Emerald Road and the Old Princes Highway.
Berwick Views Wetlands beside Beaconsfield Emerald Road and Fieldstone Boulevard
Bob Burgess Reserve on Old Princes Highway, and is opposite Beaconsfield Park.
Jim Parkes Reserve on the corner of Souter and Horner Street.
Kath Roberts Reserve on Kathleen Court.
Sports clubs
The town has an Australian Rules football club and a netball club that compete in the South East Football Netball League.
There is also a cricket club and a tennis club.
Community
Although close to the nowadays much more bustling Berwick, the area has retained a friendly, country Australia feeling within the community. The Beaconsfield Progress Association, who publish the "Beaconsfield Banner", and other such community groups, help contribute to this community spirit.
Beaconsfield is affectionately called "Beacy" by locals.
Notable people
* Vanessa Amorosi – professional singer who had several Top 40 chart hits.
* Len Maddocks – former Australian cricketer.
* Brendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola (born 20 January 1981) is a former professional Australian rules footballer and radio presenter. He played with the Carlton Football Club, Carlton and Brisbane Lions football clubs in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Fevol ...
– Australian rules footballer.
* Austinn Jones – Australian rules footballer.
* Chris Newman - Australian rules footballer.
See also
* City of Berwick – Parts of Beaconsfield were previously within this former local government area.
* Shire of Pakenham – Parts of Beaconsfield were previously within this former local government area.
* Beaconsfield railway station
References
External links
Australian Places – Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield Progress Association, Inc.
Beaconsfield Primary
St Francis Xavier College
Beaconsfield Pharmacy
Beaconsfield Tennis Club
Beaconsfield Cricket Club
Beaconsfield Football Club
Beaconsfield Fitness Centre
Beaconsfield Hub
The Medical Clinic
Akoonah Park Market
{{Shire of Cardinia suburbs
Suburbs of Melbourne
Suburbs of the City of Casey
Suburbs of the Shire of Cardinia