Elsternwick is an inner suburb in

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 ...

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, 9 km 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

City of Glen Eira The City of Glen Eira is a Local government areas of Victoria, local government area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of and has an estimated population of 153,858 (51.6% female an ...

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 ...

. Elsternwick recorded a population of 10,887 at the 2021 census.

Administrative division

In terms of its cadastral division, Elsternwick is in the parish of Prahran within the County of Bourke.

Location

Elsternwick is bounded by the

Nepean Highway Nepean Highway is a major highway in Victoria, running south from St Kilda Junction in inner-southern Melbourne to Portsea, tracing close to the eastern shore of Port Phillip for the majority of its length. It is the primary road route from ...

, Elster Avenue, Kooyong Road, Glen Eira Road, and Hotham Street (the continuation of Williams Road). Formerly Elsternwick covered the area located in the

City of Bayside The City of Bayside is a local government area in Victoria, Australia. It is within the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 36 square kilometres and in 2018 had a population of 105,718 people. History City of Brighton In 1858, ...

bounded by Head/Bridge Street, Nepean Highway, Glen Huntly Road and St. Kilda Street. This includes the cricket ground (originally the home of the Elsternwick Cricket Club) and currently known as the Sportscover Arena. It is located within the larger area known as Elsternwick Park – located at the junction of the Nepean Highway and Glen Huntly Road – as is the former Elsternwick Park Golf Course.

Name

In the same way that Ripponlea took its name from the

Rippon Lea Estate Rippon Lea Estate is a heritage-listed historic house and gardens located in Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is in the care of the National Trust of Australia. It was added to the Australian National Heritage List on 11 August ...

of Sir Frederick Sargood, Elsternwick took its name from the largest property in the district:

Charles Ebden Charles Hotson Ebden (1811 – 28 October 1867) was an Australian pastoralist and politician, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, the Victorian Legislative Council and the Victorian Legislative Assembly. Early life Ebden ...

's house ''Elster'' (''Elster'' is German for ""). The area was previously known as Red Bluff. The creek nearby became known as the Elster Creek; and, when a village grew up on the creek, the Anglo-Saxon suffix 'wick', meaning village, was added.

History

The Elsternwick village was proposed in 185

Elsternwick was originally situated across three municipalities - Caulfield, Brighton and St Kilda. At the end of the 1880s unsuccessful attempts were made for Elsternwick to become administratively independent. Today it is in the Local Government Areas of Victoria, Local Government Area of the

. The

postcode A postal code (also known locally in various English-speaking countries throughout the world as a postcode, post code, PIN or ZIP Code) is a series of letters or numerical digit, digits or both, sometimes including spaces or punctuation, inclu ...

is 3185. Elsternwick village was surveyed in 1856, and Elsternwick Post Office opened on 22 June 1860. In 1861 a

railway line Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport using wheeled vehicles running in tracks, which usually consist of two parallel steel rails. Rail transport is one of the two primary means of land transport, next to road ...

, operated by the

Melbourne & Hobson's Bay Railway Company The Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. The company was incorporated on 20 January 1853 to build the line from Melbourne to the port of Sandridge, now Port Melbourne. The proposal me ...

, was built from

Brighton Brighton ( ) is a seaside resort in the city status in the United Kingdom, city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England, south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze Age Britain, Bronze Age, R ...

which included a railway station at Elsternwick. The first site of

Caulfield Grammar School Caulfield Grammar School is a private, co-educational, Anglican, International Baccalaureate, day and boarding school, located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1881 as a boys' school, Caulfield Grammar began admitting girls exactly ...

, founded in 1881, was adjacent to the Elsternwick railway station. In the 1880s, Elsternwick railway station was also the Melbourne end of the railway line to the large-scale sugar beet processing mill at Rosstown (see Rosstown Railway) – now known as Carnegie – and beyond. This railway was seldom used, and it ceased to function in 1916. A tramline was opened along Glen Huntly Road in 1889. Another tramline, running between Elsternwick and Point Ormond, was opened on 4 June 1915, and was closed on 22 October 1960. The

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

studios in Melbourne were located in Gordon Street. The studios were built during the 1950s and 1960s and were decommissioned in 2017. Many programs were filmed and produced in the studios, such as

Countdown A countdown is a sequence of backward counting to indicate the time remaining before an event is scheduled to occur. NASA commonly employs the terms "L-minus" and "T-minus" during the preparation for and anticipation of a rocket launch, and eve ...

, Recovery and Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight.

Today

Shopping strip of Glenhuntly Road in Elsternwick

Glen Huntly Road in Elsternwick has a variety of cafés and restaurants. Elsternwick was the home of perhaps the best-known brothel in Australia, and certainly Melbourne;

Daily Planet The ''Daily Planet'' is a fictional newspaper appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Superman. The newspaper was first mentioned in ''Action Comics'' #9 (November 13, 1939) – Underworld Politics ...

, which was the first in the world to be listed on a stock exchange (the

Australian Securities Exchange Australian Securities Exchange Ltd (ASX) is an Australian public company that operates Australia's primary Exchange (organized market), securities exchange, the Australian Securities Exchange (sometimes referred to outside of Australia as, or c ...

). Hattam (Mens and Boys Wear) Stores, at 383 Glenhuntly Road, a long, narrow shop, is one of the last locations in Australia that still has a Lamson "Rapid Wire" Cash Carrier in place; it connects three locations in the lower section of the shop with the central cashier's desk. The 2017 season of '' The Block'' was filmed in Regent Street.

Population

In the 2016 Census, there were 10,349 people in Elsternwick. 65.3% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 3.9%, New Zealand 1.9%, India 1.7%, South Africa 1.7% and China 1.5%. 73.0% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Greek 2.6%, Hebrew 2.0%, Russian 1.9%, Yiddish 1.8% and Mandarin 1.7%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 35.5%, Catholic 18.0%, and Judaism 17.8%.

Transport

Aerial panorama of Elsternwick Park and Port Philip Bay

Elsternwick railway station on the

Sandringham railway line The Sandringham line is a commuter railway line in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Operated by Metro Trains Melbourne, it is the city's fourth shortest metropolitan railway line at . The line runs from Flinders Street station in central Melb ...

is located on Riddell Parade next to Glen Huntly Road. For a number of years (in the late 1800s and early 1900s) it was also where the Rosstown Railway linked up with the Sandringham railway line. Elsternwick Park Aerial panorama with Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve and the Cricket Club in the frame

Elsternwick Park Aerial panorama with Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve and the Cricket Club in the frame

Melbourne tram route 67 Melbourne tram route 67 is operated by Yarra Trams on the Trams in Melbourne, Melbourne tram network from Melbourne University tram stop, Melbourne University to Carnegie, Victoria, Carnegie. The route is operated out of Glenhuntly tram depot, ...

links Elsternwick to the

Melbourne city centre The Melbourne central business district (colloquially known as "the City" or "the CBD", and gazetted simply as Melbourne) is the city centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. As of the 2021 census, the CBD had a population of 54,941, and is ...

. It travels along Glen Huntly Road from Carnegie, through Glen Huntly and Caulfield South to Elsternwick and, then, via Brighton Road and

St Kilda Road St Kilda Road is a street in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is part of the Melbourne central business district, locality of Melbourne which has the postcode of 3004, and along with Swanston Street forms a major spine of the city. St Kilda ...

to the CBD, via

Swanston Street Swanston Street is a major thoroughfare in the Melbourne central business district, Victoria, Australia. It was laid out in 1837 as part of the original Hoddle Grid. The street vertically bisects Melbourne's city centre and is famous as the wor ...

. It terminates at the

University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne (colloquially known as Melbourne University) is a public university, public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in the state ...

Sport

The Elsternwick Club Sandham St est 1919 includes Lawn Bowls on Tiff Dwarf green and various function rooms. The Elsternwick Cricket Club was founded in August 1901. The Elsternwick Main Oval, now known as Sportscover Arena or Elsternwick Park, was established shortly after the club's foundation. The 'Wickas', as the club is affectionately known, plays in the

Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association The Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association (VSDCA) is a turf cricket competition based in Melbourne, Australia. There are 32 clubs each fielding four teams (one per grade) plus an under 15 (formerly under 14) team in the annual J.G Craig (fo ...

. Golfers played at Elsternwick Park Golf Club, also known as Royal Elsternwick, on Glen Huntly Road until 2018, when the course closed to be used as passive open space. The Elsternwick Croquet Club, founded in 1911, is situated in the Hopetoun Gardens.

Schools

State Schools

The Elsternwick Primary School – once officially located in "Brickwood Street, Elsternwick" – is now, without any shift in its physical position, officially located in Murphy Street,

; and, consequently, the suburb currently has no government schools.

Private Schools

* Wesley College, Melbourne, Wesley College - Elsternwick Campus (formerly: Methodist Ladies' College and Cato College) *

Leibler Yavneh College Leibler Yavneh College is a private, Modern Orthodox Jewish comprehensive co-educational primary and secondary day school, located in the Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia. The school has students enrolled from Preschool to ...

* St Joseph's Primary School

Heritage sites

Built as a public hall in 1889 and converted into a cinema in 1911,

Classic Cinemas Classic Cinemas is the largest Illinois based movie theatre chain. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, it operates 16 locations with 141 screens in Illinois and Wisconsin under Tivoli Enterprises ownership. Its first theatre and company na ...

is Melbourne's oldest continuously running cinema. Elsternwick contains a number of heritage-listed sites, including: * 192 Hotham Street:

* 2-4 Selwyn Street: Elsternwick Metropolitan Fire Brigade Station * 84-86 Orrong Road: Union Church * 6-8 Rusden Street: Elsternwick Tram Substation * 296-298 Glenhuntly Road & 1A-1B Riddell Parade: Elsternwick Post Office

Notable Elsternwick people

Aerial perspective of Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve

Aerial perspective of the lake at Elsternwick Park

* Hildred Butler (1906–1975), microbiologist, born in Elsternwick * Joan Chambers, ''née'' Murray (1930–2016), Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, born in Elsternwick. * "Chris" Christiansen (1913–2007), radio astronomer and electrical engineer, grew up in Elsternwick. *

Ben Cousins Benjamin Luke Cousins (born 30 June 1978) is a former professional Australian rules footballer and media personality who played for and in the Australian Football League (AFL). Cousins is listed by journalist Mike Sheahan as one of the fifty ...

(1978–), former AFL footballer. * Moira Dynon, ''née'' Shelton (1920–1976), welfare worker and scientist, born in Elsternwick. * Joyce Evans (1929–2019), photographer, artist, gallery director, born in Elsternwick. *

Ray Groom Raymond John Groom (born 3 September 1944) is an Australian lawyer and former sportsman and politician, representing the Liberal Party in the Federal Parliament 1975–84 and the Tasmanian Parliament 1986–2001. He was a Federal and state m ...

(1944–), lawyer, sportsman, and politician, 39th

Premier of Tasmania The premier of Tasmania is the head of the Government of Tasmania, executive government in the Australian state of Tasmania. By convention, the leader of the party or political grouping which has majority support in the Tasmanian House of Assem ...

, born in Elsternwick. * Joy St. Clair Hester (1920–1960), artist, born in Elsternwick. * Sir Edwin William Hicks (1910–1984), public servant and diplomat, born in Elsternwick. * Edward Honey (1885–1922), journalist, born in Elsternwick, suggested the "

Two-minute silence In the United Kingdom and other countries within the Commonwealth, a two-minute silence is observed as part of Remembrance Day to remember those who died in conflict. Held each year at 11:00 am on 11 November, the silence coincides with the ...

" observed on 11 November each year. *

Dave Hughes David William Hughes is an Australian stand-up comedian, television and radio presenter. He is known for his larrikin personality, drawling Australian accent, and deadpan comedic delivery. Hughes has previously been co-host of '' Hughesy & K ...

(1970–), comedian; purchased a house built on '' The Block'' 2017. * Les Johnson (1908–January 1942), Essendon and North Melbourne Footballer, killed in action in World War II, born in Elsternwick. *

William Joynt William Donovan Joynt, Victoria Cross, VC (19 March 1889 – 6 June 1986) was a printer, publisher, author and an List of Australian Victoria Cross recipients, Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for gallantry ...

(1889–1986), soldier, printer and publisher, born in Elsternwick. * Geoffrey Lemprière (1904–1977), woolbuyer and soldier, born in Elsternwick. * Samuel Mauger (1857–1936), reformer, manufacturer, politician, died in Elsternwick. *

Keith Miller Keith Ross Miller (28 November 1919 – 11 October 2004) was an Australian Test cricketer and a Royal Australian Air Force pilot during World War II. Miller is widely regarded as Australia's greatest ever all-rounder. His ability, irreverent m ...

(1919–2004), a resident of Elsternwick in his childhood. * Enid Moodie-Heddle (1904–1991), poet and children's author, born in Elsternwick. * Sir Alister Murdoch (1912–1984), air force officer, born in Elsternwick. * Harold Parker (1892–1917), St Kilda footballer, killed in First World War. *

Bill Ponsford William Harold Ponsford MBE (19 October 1900 – 6 April 1991) was an Australian cricketer. Usually playing as an opening batsman, he formed a successful and long-lived partnership opening the batting for Victoria and Australia with Bil ...

(1900–1991), a resident in the 1920s and 1930s. *

Peter Rowsthorn Peter Rowsthorn may refer to: *Peter Rowsthorn (actor) Peter Rowsthorn (born 9 February 1963) is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, MC, host and theatre. Early life and education Rowsthorn attended Trinity Grammar Scho ...

(1963–), actor and comedian. * Roy Schilling (1896–1979), politician, died in Elsternwick. *

Percival Serle Percival Serle (18 July 1871 – 16 December 1951) was an Australian biographer and bibliography, bibliographer. Early life Serle was born in Elsternwick, Victoria, Elsternwick, Victoria (Australia), Victoria to English parents who had migrate ...

(1871–1951), accountant, biographer, and bibliographer, born in Elsternwick. * George Strickland (1942–), Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, born in Elsternwick. * Frederick Taylor (1810–1872), squatter and mass murderer. *

Richard Toutcher Richard Frederick Toutcher (27 May 1861 – 6 September 1941) was an Australian politician. He was born in Maryborough, Victoria, Maryborough to Charles and Ellen Toutcher and attended the local grammar school. He became a civil servant in ...

(1861–1941), politician, died in Elsternwick. * Sir Alexander George Wales (1885–1962), businessman, politician, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, died in Elsternwick. *

Charlie Watts Charles Robert Watts (2 June 1941 – 24 August 2021) was an English musician who was the drummer of the Rolling Stones from 1963 until his death in 2021. Originally trained as a Graphic designer, graphic artist, Watts developed an interest i ...

(1895–1965), soldier and cleric, born in Elsternwick. * Harry Llewellyn Williams (1915–1961), champion golfer, born in Elsternwick.

Residential architecture

Image:Lisbon house elsternwick.jpg, "Lisbon House", 70 Orrong Road, is a grand Victorian terrace home. Image:Remodelled Victorian Terraces - Elsternwick.jpg, 1930s remodelled Victorian terraces, Glen Eira Road (opposite

) Image:Elsternwick new townhouses & apartment in Horne St.jpg, Elsternwick railway station warehouses converted to townhouses and apartment in Horne Street Image:Elsternwick Retirement Apartment - Victoria By The Park.jpg, Elsternwick Retirement Apartment (Victoria by the Park) next to Hopetoun Gardens

Non-residential architecture

Image:Elsternwick Hotel.jpg, The Elsternwick Hotel (built 1856), corner of Glen Huntly and

Roads Image:Jewish holocaust museum elsternwick.jpg,

Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

Holocaust The Holocaust (), known in Hebrew language, Hebrew as the (), was the genocide of History of the Jews in Europe, European Jews during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy ...

Museum, Selwyn Street Image:Elsternwick post office and caulfield city rifle club.jpg, Former Elsternwick Post Office and former Caulfield City rifle club buildings Image:Elsternwick Former Fire Station.jpg, Former Elsternwick Fire Station Image:Tudor Style Building - Elsternwick.jpg, Tudor style dominates Glen Eira shopping village (Corner of Glen Eira & Orrong Roads) in Elsternwick Image:Caulfield RSL b.jpg, Rsl Elsternwick

Open space

Image:Elsternwick Park.jpg, Elsternwick Park Golf Club Image:Elsternwick Hopetoun Gardens.jpg, Elsternwick Hopetoun Gardens in Glen Huntly Road (cannons made in England 1866) Image:Nepean HWY - Elsternwick.jpg,

in Elsternwick (9 km towards

Melbourne CBD The Melbourne central business district (colloquially known as "the City" or "the CBD", and gazetted simply as Melbourne) is the city centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. As of the 2021 census, the CBD had a population of 54,941, and is ...

)

References

External links

Glen Eira City Council

Elsternwick Traders' Association website
- includes a business directory, articles and attractions in Elsternwick {{City of Glen Eira suburbs Jews and Judaism in Melbourne Suburbs of Melbourne Suburbs of the City of Glen Eira Orthodox Jewish communities 1856 establishments in Australia