City of Darebin Heritage Study Volume 1 Draft Thematic

DAREBIN HERITAGE STUDY STAGE 2Becoming cities – the interwar suburban boom (c.1910s-1950s)This significant period of growth is represented by a range of civic, commercial, residential,industrial and institutional places, as well the provision of urban amenities and public works,which illustrate the significant growth that saw both Northcote and Preston elevated to thestatus of a City. The new civic status was reflected in new council buildings, communityfacilities and public works including beautification projects, and public recreational spaces,which were a source of great community pride.The interwar residential areas of Darebin are historically significant as they provide furtherevidence of the significant growth during this era. They also illustrate important influence ofrailways and trams in shaping the residential and commercial development of Melbourne. Thisis particularly reflected in the narrow pattern of linear growth along the key north-south routesof High Street, the Whittlesea Railway and St Georges Road that persisted until after WorldWar Two. Finally, they illustrate the emerging role played by government agencies such as theWar Service Homes Commission and the Housing Commission of Victoria in the provision ofhousing. The estates in Darebin are among the first in Victoria and are therefore provide animportant historic record of the early development of public housing initiatives.Darebin is also notable for places that have significant associations with Australia’s World WarOne effort and dealing with its aftermath. These places are also linked to the development ofpsychiatric institutions, and repatriation hospitals, which are historically significant at a Statelevel as evidence of the development of the state public hospital system early in the twentiethcentury.The re-establishment of Aboriginal communities in Melbourne in the twentieth century isillustrated a number of places within Darebin. These places are significant as evidence of howAboriginal people have maintained a strong physical and cultural presence in Darebin in theface of displacement, disenfranchisement and policies of assimilation, such that by the midtwentieth century, it had the largest Aboriginal community in Melbourne. This communityplayed a prominent role in the national struggle for Aboriginal rights and social justice.Becoming a multicultural and environmentally aware city (c.1950s onwards)Darebin is also significant as a place that illustrates the massive growth and suburban expansionof Melbourne in the post-Second World War era. The legacy of this era includes the manyplaces that demonstrate the significant influence of immigration upon the historic developmentof Darebin during that time. Perhaps the most vivid illustration of this is the sheer diversity inthe places of worship now found in Darebin, many of which are old churches now used bydifferent religions and cultural groups. The influence of immigration can also be seen in social,community and sporting facilities, which were important in establishing new communityidentities in Australia.Another legacy is the large Housing Commission of Victoria estates that illustrate the programenacted by the Commission to meet post-war housing shortages - no fewer than 10,000 peoplewere housed by the Commission in the period up to 1966 in Darebin. These estates includedthe use of innovative low-cost techniques such as the Concrete Houses Program. Theseresidents were employed in the many new industries that established in the East Preston andReservoir areas.This era was a time of increasing awareness of environmental issues in Darebin and placesassociated with the activities to conserve and restore the natural environment are significant asan illustration of the broader environmental movement that emerged in the post-war period.Another legacy of this era is the places that are significant for their associations with thecontinuing fight of Aboriginal people for self determination and social justice. The NorthlandSecondary College is also important for its strong connections with the Aboriginal communityover at least 30 years.146