Hurstbridge, Victoria

Hurstbridge was first settled in 1842 by Cornelius Haley, a grazier. The area was originally known as Upper Diamond Creek, or Allwood, after the homestead built there on Haley's selection. The town was renamed in 1924. The town's current name is from the Hurst family. Henry Hurst worked for Haley, and in 1857 was joined by his father Robert, mother, and siblings. The Hursts took over from Haley and built the first log bridge across the Diamond Creek, upstream from the present Monash Bridge, in 1858. In 1866, Henry Hurst was fatally wounded by a bushranger, Robert Bourke. The latter was captured and tied to a wheel of a wagon under a tree (now known as Bourke's Tree) until troopers from nearby Queenstown arrived. Bourke was tried and found guilty of the murder and was later hanged.[2]

For many years the area was characterised by orchards and nurseries, and in 1912 a railway line was extended to Hurstbridge to transport fruit to Melbourne. As a result of this rail connection, a settlement started developing near the bridge. A post office was opened in 1912 and the current single-lane bridge, designed by Sir John Monash, was completed in 1918. The township was originally known as Hurst's Bridge until 1915, and then as Hurst Bridge until about 1954.[3] Further development of the town occurred in the Post-War years, and electricity was connected in 1957.[4]

The artist Albert Tucker moved to a 5-acre (20,000 m²) property in Hurstbridge in the 1960s, where he lived for many years. A series of paintings from the time depict the natural bushland around his property.

The area is home to a diverse mix of farmers, artists, and commuters, and also draws visitors to a number of attractions, including wineries, walking tracks, farmers' markets, and local artists' markets.

For Melbournians, the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival, held annually each spring, is a significant cultural event that has its roots firmly planted in the early railway history of the area. Festival goers are able to view the wattles in a blaze of glory along the Diamond Creek as they approach the town. The whole of Hurstbridge takes part in the Festival, which sees various precincts set up throughout the town providing an extensive array of family entertainment, events, and activities.[5]

Hurstbridge Station is served by regular trains to and from the Melbourne Central Business District.

On New Year's Day 2003 the local primary school was destroyed by fire when an air-conditioning unit malfunctioned. It was replaced in 2005 by a newly built school.

The late champion motor racing driver Peter Brock, who died in 2006, was raised in Hurstbridge, where he continued to live throughout his life.

A mobile library service operated by Yarra Plenty Regional Library regularly visits the township.[6]

Hurstbridge Primary School, first established in 1916 and occupying its current Main Road site since 1982 (now in buildings opened in 2005), provides education for children between the ages of 4–5 (Prep Year) and 12–13 (Year 6), following the curriculum set by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.[7]

Hurstbridge Post Office, at 794 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road, opposite the railway station, occupies a building that was originally constructed in 1918 to serve as headquarters of the former Evelyn Observer local newspaper.[8]

Hurstbridge Hall, at 974 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road, with a seating capacity of 120 and disabled access, provides facilities for public and private functions, dances, exercise classes, small productions, markets, and meetings.[9]

The Hurstbridge Community Hub, at 50 Graysharps Road, provides community room hire and integrated community services, including early years daycare and preschool programmes and maternal and child healthcare services, as well as other services offered by local groups.[10] The Hurstbridge Basketball Stadium is also situated on the same site.

• Hurstbridge has a football team, which plays in the Northern Football League and is based at Ben Frilay Oval at 36 Graysharps Road.[11] The Hurstbridge Netball Club is part of the Football Club.[12]
• The town also has a cricket club, playing in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association, and a basketball team, the Hurstbridge Hurricanes, who play in the DVBA.

• City of Whittlesea - Parts of Hurstbridge were previously within this local government area.
• Shire of Diamond Valley - Parts of Hurstbridge were previously within this former local government area.
• Shire of Eltham - Parts of Hurstbridge were previously within this former local government area.

• Official website