Geelong West, Victoria

Geelong West is a commercial and residential suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. When Geelong was founded, the area was known as Kildare but its name was changed to Geelong West in 1875. The main street is Pakington Street. At the 2016 Census, Geelong West had a population of 6,966.[1]

For the former local government area with the name, see City of Geelong West.

Geelong West
Geelong, Victoria
The former City of Geelong West Town Hall
Geelong West
Coordinates38°08′S 144°21′E
Population6,966 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3218
LGA(s)City of Greater Geelong
State electorate(s)Geelong
Federal Division(s)Corio
Suburbs around Geelong West:
Hamlyn Heights North Geelong Drumcondra
Manifold Heights Geelong West Geelong CBD
Newtown Newtown Geelong CBD

History

Ashby was once a suburb of Geelong located in the area of Geelong West, west of Latrobe Terrace, between Aberdeen Street and Church Street. By 1850, that area had become known as Little Scotland, and Kildare. At that time, Ashby referred to the area between Autumn Street and Waratah Street.

In 1875, the entire Ashby area was renamed West Geelong. The Ashby state school, which had only opened that year, had its name changed to Geelong West. In 1988, as part of Australia's bicentennial celebrations, the school changed its name back to Ashby. A Post Office named Geelong West opened on 1 July 1865, but was replaced and renamed Geelong North Railway Station in 1886. On 1 April 1887, the Geelong West office reopened near its present location. In 1960, Shandeen Post Office opened near the corner of Aberdeen Road and Shannon Avenue.[2]

From 1912 until 1956, Geelong West was served by an electric tramway service in Pakington Street,[3] after which the service was replaced by buses run by Benders Buslines.

The M. Donaghy & Sons ropeworks was located in Pakington Street. The site has been redeveloped into a shopping centre, with a Woolworths (formerly Safeway) supermarket and specialty shops.[4]

Heritage listed sites

Geelong West contains a number of heritage listed sites, including:

  • 22 Pakington Street, Harp Inn [5]
  • 95 Pakington Street, Donaghy's Rope Walk [6]
  • 233 Pakington Street, Reformed Church of Geelong [7]
  • 9 Gertrude Street, Residence [8]
  • 202 Aberdeen Street, Shearers Arms Hotel [9]
  • 127 Elizabeth Street, St Elmo [10]

Notable people

Journalist and publisher J. F. Archibald was born in Geelong West in 1856. A memorial bust was erected on the corner of Weddell Road and Church St in 1956. .

Pako Festa
Main article: Pako Festa

The Pako Festa is an annual festival held in Pakington Street, Geelong West each year around late February. In 2006 it was held on 25 February. The festival is held to promote cultural diversity and show appreciation for the artwork and fashion designed by citizens of the Geelong area.

Sport

The suburb has an Australian rules football team competing in the Geelong Football League[11] and a team competing in the Geelong & District Football League.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Geelong West (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  2. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  3. "Geelong tramways - a short history". Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  4. Hobbs, Kerri-Ann (5 July 2007). "Government approves $12.5 million Ropeworks plan". Geelong Advertiser. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  5. "Former Harp Inn (H0585)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  6. "Former Donaghy's Rope Walk (H1169)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  7. "Reformed Church of Geelong (H1145)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  8. "Residence (H1124)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  9. "Former Shearers Arms Hotel (H0661)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  10. "St Elmo (H1180)". Victorian Heritage Register. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  11. Full Points Footy. "Geelong West Saint Peters". Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-25.

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