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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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(3766, 36 km E, Yarra Ranges Shire)
A small settlement in the Dandenong Ranges with a population of just over 1000, Kalorama took its name in the 1930s from the Greek word kalos meaning beautiful. Panoramic views are obtained at a lookout on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road near Five Ways Corner. Until 1994 it was part of the Shire of Lillydale. In the 1890s depression the government devised a village settlement scheme to resettle the unemployed from Melbourne's inner suburbs. Each person was leased 10 acres (4 ha) in virgin bush just below the summit of Mount Dandenong and given a few tools with which to carve out an existence. The scheme was not a success but it did eventually open the area up to tourism, which now provides its primary employment base.