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Produced and published by the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
Published July 2008
Published July 2008
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(3131, 18 km E, Whitehorse City)
Scottish farmers and woodcutters were among the first white settlers in this area, known as Scotchmans Hill until the 1860s. Forest Hill is said to derive from the name of the cottage owned by early settler Captain Bunbury, and is descriptive of the district's original bushland setting. A school was opened in 1861 and a post office in 1874, but orchards and farms predominated until after World War II, when subdivisions were quickly developed to accommodate the rapidly growing population. Nunawading High School opened in 1955, and other government and denominational schools grew in number and size during the 1950s and 1960s. The large shopping centre now known as Forest Hill Chase on Canterbury Road is the best-known landmark. By the end of the 20th century, Forest Hill's population was declining as a result of ageing.