City of Darebin Heritage Study Volume 1 Draft Thematic

VOLUME 2: THEMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORYChapter 2 discusses the rich diversity of Darebin’s people, from the Woi-wurrung throughwaves of immigration from Britain and other parts of Europe, the settlement of a significanttwentieth century Aboriginal community and more recent arrivals from the Middle East andAsia. The chapter also covers the various schemes, both private and government, which haveattracted settlers to Darebin. A more detailed discussion of settlement patterns is given inChapter 5.Transport is the theme of Chapter 3, and it is closely linked with the themes of Peopling andSuburban Development in Chapters 2 and 5 respectively. A feature of Darebin’s transporthistory is the inadequacy of transport systems well into the twentieth century, which accountsfor its relative isolation, however the area has seen the development of all phases ofMelbourne’s tram system.In Chapter 4 Darebin’s economic development is explored, showing the diversity of rural,extractive and manufacturing industries, including the noxious trades that took advantage ofthe area’s nineteenth century isolation, and the role of Darebin in Melbourne’s water supplyhistory. The Chapter includes a discussion of the impacts of economic activity on Darebin’sphysical landscape, linking back to Chapter 1. The economic theme concludes with an outlineof Darebin’s commercial and retail history.Chapter 5 outlines the process of Darebin’s development as a suburb of Melbourne, from anumber of small village centres, moving out along transport routes in several waves of boomtime growth. This process is still taking place. The discussion includes the variety of housingstyles represented, public housing, the provision of urban services, and cultural landscapes andgardens.Chapter 6 deals with Governing at all levels, from colonial, to the development of localgovernment, to Darebin’s contribution to Australia’s war efforts in the two World Wars. Ofparticular significance is Darebin’s place in the colonial administration of Aboriginal-Europeanrelations, and later the struggle for Aboriginal rights. Darebin’s people have also made asignificant contribution to Victoria’s and Australia’s left wing political history.In Chapter 7 the many layers of community development in Darebin are explored,highlighting the way cultural institutions, especially churches and sporting clubs, bothinfluence and reflect the character of the area. Schooling in Darebin has been predominantlypublic, and Melbourne’s third university is sited in the area. Darebin has a significant history oflarge psychiatric institutions, which occupied the secluded rural parts of the area until recentyears. There is also a strong community movement in appreciation and defence of the naturalenvironment.Chapter 8 concludes the Thematic Environmental History with a return to Darebin’s naturalhistory and a discussion of the natural values that contribute to the municipality’s heritage.As described above, this thematic environmental history is set out in thematic, notchronological order. The following table is provided to assist in understanding how the historicthemes set out in each chapter are associated with key dates in the historic development of thestudy area. Please note that this table is indicative only of broad timeframes associated witheach theme and reference should be made to the appropriate chapter in this environmentalhistory for more specific information about the actual periods of influence for each theme.7