Beaconsfield, Victoria

History

Beaconsfield had its roots as a farming settlement on part of the Panty Gurn Gurn Station, which was originally established in 1845. The area was subsequently named Beaconsfield after Benjamin Disraeli (Lord Beaconsfield).. David Bowman selected land of approximately 200 acres east of Cardinia Creek snd built an inn for travelers, and a settlement grew around the Bowman’s Inn, also known as ‘Gippsland Hotel’ and now the ‘Central Hotel’ .A railway station opened in 1879, and a Post Office opened 1889 on Woods Street. It became the Beaconsfield Post Office in 1916 and was used for many years as a café, but was demolished in late October 2021. The earlier Beaconsfield Railway Station Post Office opened on 1 January 1883.

In 1891 an area to north of Beaconsfield was renamed Beaconsfield Upper and in around 1902 the Railway Station was renamed to "Beaconsfield".

Facilities

Shopping centres include "Beaconsfield Shopping Plaza" with shops including Aldi, Woolworths, bakeries, a post office, chemist, cafés and takeaway food shops, and the nearby "Beaconsfield Hub".

Schools include Beaconsfield Primary, and St Francis Xavier College (Beaconsfield Campus). There are many cafés, restaurants and hairdressers around the commercial shopping area. The Beaconsfield CFA (Country Fire Authority) has their fire station in Woods Street.

The Akoonah Park Market is held every Sunday, and is very popular with local Berwick and Beaconsfield shoppers.

Historical Places of Interest

War cenotaph located on the corner of Woods Street and Old Princes Highway. It was unveiled in 1920.

Railway house built in 1888, near Beaconsfield Train Station. The large bunya bunya pine to the front of the property is listed as a significant tree.

Shipwatcher's lookout is marked by a large granite rock and plaque, on the side of Cooinda Road.

Parks

Beaconsfield Flora and Fauna Reserve on the Beaconsfield Emerald Road.

Beaconsfield Park located on the corner of Beaconsfield Emerald Road and the Old Princes Highway.

Berwick Views Wetlands beside Beaconsfield Emerald Road and Fieldstone Boulevard

Bob Burgess Reserve on Old Princes Highway, and is opposite Beaconsfield Park.

Jim Parkes Reserve on the corner of Souter and Horner Street.

Kath Roberts Reserve on Kathleen Court.

Sports clubs

The town has an Australian Rules football club and a netball club that compete in the South East Football Netball League.

There is also a cricket club and a tennis club.

Notable people

• Vanessa Amorosi – professional singer who had several Top 40 chart hits.
• Len Maddocks – former Australian cricketer.
• Brendan Fevola – Australian rules footballer.
• Austinn Jones – Australian rules footballer.
• Chris Newman - Australian rules footballer.

References

References

1. {{Census 2021 AUS
2. Clark, Ian D.. (2002). "Dictionary of Aboriginal placenames of Victoria". Victorian Aboriginal Corp. for Languages.
3. https://beaconsfield.org.au/beaconsfield-history/
4. Beaumont, ''Early Days of Berwick'' 1979 p.112
5. https://beaconsfield.org.au/beaconsfield-history/
6. Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List".