Northcote, Thornbury, Preston – April 2020
03/04/20206 kms N-E of CBD
City Of Darebin
Southerly portion of Northcote is now Westgarth with development occurring
further north from 1840’s. Large expensive homes in the Ruckers Hill area around
Bayview Street were built during the gold rush from the 1850’s with High Street becoming the central street of Northcote.
In the 1880’2 land was cheap and attracted the working classes.
The Northcote Town Hall was built in 1890, the year the Borough Of Northcote was proclaimed.Historic Northcote Picture Theatre was opened in 1912 and still stands, used currently as a Reception Centre. Since 1990’s/2000’s Northcote has experienced the mos intense gentrification of any Melbourne suburb.Area known for its restaurants, cafes and shops.Public Transport: Northcote has 5 train stations on two lines with tramand bus routes servicing the suburb.
35 Woolhouse Street, Northcote 2 BR House SOLD $1.290 Woodards
122 Christmas Street, Northcote 3 BR Brick 434 sm SOLD $1.4m Jellis Craig
129 Beaconsfield Parade, Northcote 3 BR 2 Bathrm Townhouse SOLD $1.24 Nelson Alexander
31 Kellett Street, Northcote 4 BR 3 Bathrm House SOLD $2.847 Jellis Craig
Thornbury 3071
7 k North Of CBD
City Of Darebin
Heart of Thornbury is known as Thornbury Village and is located at the intersection of High Street and Normanby Avenue.
Thin strip of land sandwiched between Northcote and Preston and is understood to be a demographic and commercial satellite of Northcote.
Has a long line of industry near Dundas Street, mainly of warehousing, scrap metal yards and some steel recycling factories.
Merri Creek and Darebin Creek Trails are popular shared use recreational paths used by cyclists and walkers.
Well serviced by public transport with Thornbury Railway Station on the Mernda Line and two tram routes.
107 Normanby Avenue, Thornbury 2 BR House 276 sm SOLD $955,000 Love & Co
78 St David Street, Thornbury Renov 4 BR 2 Bathrm House SOLD $1.82m Nelson Alexander
137 Gooch Street, Thornbury 3 BR House 340 sm SOLD $1.151 Woodards
43 Swift Street, Thornbury 4 BR House 736 sm SOLD $1.6m Love & Co
Preston 3072
9 kms North Of CBD
City Of Darebin
Population (2016) 32,000
Preston area first surveyed for sub-division in 1837 by Robert Hoddle and sold in 300 acre parcels in the southern part and 1000 acre parcels in Preston’s north during the Melbourne “land boom” sales of the late 1830’s.
First permanent white settler was Samuel Jeffrey in 1841 and from him was given the name “Irishtown”.
In 1850, new local Edward Wood set up a general store and later (1856) Post Office – corner Wood and High Streets. With church group members from England he re-named the area Preston, after a village in Sussex where the group had known happy times past.
Church, hotels and stores sprang up around Plenty Road and High Street servicing the route to Sydney.
In April 1939, Mr. Vara Tidd, aged 91 years, who had lived in Preston since arriving with his family as a seven-year-old, recalled the early settlement:
“He retains a wonderfully clear memory of the early days of Preston when the settlement was known as Irishtown. He can recall the camp of aborigines on the banks of the Darebin Creek and the old toll gate at Wood street Preston as well as the flour mill in the same street with Emery’s pottery behind the mill. Transport in those days was primitive and limited. The waggonette left the old Royal Mall Hotel In Bourke street. (Wikipedia)
In early development years Preston was reliant on fertile soils for farming, dairying, market gardens and clay for pottery and bricks. Post 1860’s saw development of industry with large factories.
From 1850 and 60’s three hotels still exist today – The Preston, The Junction and nearby Rose Shamrock Hotel.
Railway opening in 1889 increased residents coming to the area. Preston has seem major growth spurts after both World Wars.
Two Victoria Cross awardees come from Preston from the two World Wars – Bruce Kingsbury and William Ruthven, both of whom have lent their name to future localities.
Preston is serviced by two train stations and two tram routes.
4 Raymond Street, Preston 4 BR House SOLD $1.110 Nelson Alexander
71 Beatrice Street, Preston 3 BR Wb 525 sm SOLD 890,000 Barry Plant
4/22 Newcastle Street, Preston 2 BR Villa Unit SOLD $680,000 Nelson Alexander
95 Rene Street, Preston 2/3 BR Renovated House 540 sm SOLD $1.105m Ray
