Ferntree Gully, Victoria - History

History

Ferntree Gully, initially known as Fern Tree Gully (and also formerly referred to as Lower Gully by locals decades ago), home to the Wurundjeri Aboriginal tribe prior to European settlement, is named after the gully which runs from One Tree Hill to the Upper Ferntree Gully township. The picturesque scenery and lush flora started attracting recreational visitors from the 1870s. In 1882 the gully was set aside for public use. Throughout the 1880s the township began to grow, shops were established, as well as hotels, churches, and a primary school. With the arrival of the railway line (extended from Ringwood) in 1889, the area became more accessible to visitors. Initially the line terminated at Upper Ferntree Gully, with a narrow-gauge line extending to Gembrook in 1900. The Shire of Fern Tree Gully also was proclaimed in 1889. The old shire offices, in Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully, have been restored and now house a community health service (entry via Selman Avenue). They were also used as the local library for many years. The Ferntree Gully cemetery is the resting place of a number of historically significant local people.

Ambleside Homestead, in Olivebank Road, Ferntree Gully, was built in the 1890s and is now the base for the Knox Historical Society and a local history museum. It holds extensive collections of historic documents and photographs dating back to the 1800s. Period furnishings and artefacts and vintage farm equipment reflect the pioneer life and development of the area. Ambleside is open each Sunday from 1p.m. to 4p.m. and on other days by appointment. Access the Knox History database through www.khs.relics.com.

W. Kennedy-Ross, a Scot, secured the title to the triangular section bounded by Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby Road and Burwood Highway, in 1872. About 1886, Ross erected the Hunting Tower Hotel, which was replaced a few years later by the Club Hotel. The owner of this hotel, one W. Town, gave the name Kent Park to the area west of Dobson Street.

In the early 1900s, the 180 acres (0.73 km2) of Kent Park were used for general grazing, farming, growing oats and keeping a variety of livestock.

A John Aitken bought Kent Park in 1913, selling most of the original purchase to a Mr Powell in 1921. The latter then sold to a Brigadier Knox, who in turn sold all except 10 acres (40,000 m2) to Alex Creswick. In 1968/69, Hooker-Rex Estates purchased from the Creswick family, some 110 acres (0.45 km2) for the current housing estate. The Education Department bought the land on which Kent Park primary school now stands; the school opened in February 1975.

Ferntree Gully Post Office opened on 1 January 1873. It was renamed Ferntree Gully South in 1967 when Ferntree Gully Lower office (open since 1948) was renamed Ferntree Gully. This latter office closed in 1997. The present Mountain Gate office opened in 1972 but was known as Ferntree Gully West for some months. Upper Ferntree Gully office opened in 1890.