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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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(3003, 1.5 km W, Melbourne City)
This industrial, commercial and residential suburb at the north-west corner of Melbourne's central business district includes Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and the Melbourne Remand Centre within its postcode area. Because of its proximity to the developing town, it was settled early in the city's history. Its subdivided area ended at Adderley Street, beyond which lay the West Melbourne Swamp which provided drainage potential for nearby noxious trades, such as slaughter yards and boiling-down works. St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church, built between 1891 and 1900 on the brow of a dominant hill in Victoria Street, is a major landmark. Festival Hall, built by John Wren in 1915, became Melbourne's main venue for boxing and wrestling. One of Australia's most famous citizens, the soldier-engineer General Sir John Monash, was born in West Melbourne on 27 June 1865.