Doveton, Victoria

Doveton Melbourne, Victoria
Doveton Location in metropolitan Melbourne
Coordinates
Population	8,404 (2011)
• Density	2,155/km2 (5,580/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	3177
Area	3.9 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Location	31 km (19 mi) from Melbourne 2 km (1 mi) from Dandenong
LGA(s)	City of Casey
State electorate(s)	Dandenong
Federal Division(s)	Holt
Suburbs around Doveton: Dandenong North Endeavour Hills Endeavour Hills Dandenong Doveton Eumemmerring Dandenong South Dandenong South

Doveton is a suburb in Melbourne, Australia, 31 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is the City of Casey. At the 2011 Census, Doveton had a population of 8,404.

Doveton is bounded by Dandenong Creek and Power Road in the west, The Monash Freeway in the north, Eumemmerring Creek in the east, and Princes Highway in the south.

History

Originally part of the Eumemmerring pastoral run in the 1830s, Doveton gained its name from prominent early settler Captain John Doveton, who remained until around 1903.

Named around 1954, When transformed into a public housing estate to house the post-war population increase caused by a surge in displaced people from war torn countries and an industrial boom in Dandenong. (this is disputed:http://web.archive.org/web/20040511081344/www.arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/multimedia/gazetteer/list/doveton.html makes no mention of "displaced people").

Doveton Post Office opened on 1 December 1956 as the suburb was developing and booming. An example is that when it was first opened several of the state schools and colleges had increasing enrolments and had booming popularity and growth, and this is the reason why the post office was opened – the population continued to increase.

Sometime in 1967 the first library was opened by residents, during a period when Doveton lacked any community services or facilities. Around this time Doveton gained its first council representation.

Doveton initially housed factory workers in various industries including the automotive industry. Unemployment in the area rose after some of these factories closed following wage explosions, tariff cuts and cheaper imports from Asia.

Although it contains some of Melbourne's cheapest housing, first homebuyers typically skipped Doveton for newer suburbs further out, such as Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Berwick. However, Doveton is closer to the facilities of Dandenong and is expected to benefit from the redevelopment of Dandenong City Centre.

Doveton has been studied by sociology academics since the 1960s. The results of the study were published in the book 'An Australian Newtown' written by Lois Bryson and Faith Thompson in 1972. While Doveton was not specifically mentioned it is clear from the map of the area and the dates published that it is the sole subject of this book.

Attractions

A big attraction is Myuna Farm, an interactive animal farm where people can come to meet farm animals. The farm has a train for children to ride to the outer sections of the farm. It is a popular venue for children and hosts an annual Christmas carol event.

Melbourne's second largest Grey-headed flying fox camp is located at the Myuna Farm wetlands. These mega-bats are important pollinators of native tree species.

The Doveton Show is held annually as a volunteer run community event coinciding with the Melbourne Show.

Education

• Schools within Doveton include one state primary schools; Doveton Heights P.S, one Catholic primary school (Holy Family Primary School) and one Christian primary school (Maranatha Christian School) for Prep – Grade 4.
• There used to also be Doveton High School, which was later known as Joseph Banks Secondary College, as well as a Doveton West Primary School, which closed in the 1990s when the Kennett Government cut schools and amalgamated them with other local schools. And now, there's a mirror image of these moves, another Doveton high school closes down and joins, see below....

The former Doveton Secondary College, and the later Dandenong High School – Doveton Campus, closed its doors on 1 December 2008, due to its involvement in the Dandenong Education Precinct Project.

The 'Doveton Regeneration Project' has been revealed recently, as part of the Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution. The project will be a Prep to Year 9 government school, costing $29M. Doveton Heights Primary School, Doveton North Primary School, Eummemmerring Primary School and Endeavour Hills Secondary College will amalgamate to form the new school. (cite?)

Community

The High school referred to actually started in 1960 in church buildings in Dandenong before moving to brand new buildings in Power Road in about 1962. It was one of the few high schools in the area and catered not only to the children of the industrial workers in Doveton, but also farming and country families as far out as Upper Beaconsfield and Harkaway. This high school was closed in the 1990s and demolished with only the library building still standing.

Doveton North Primary school is another school which has been closed and is planned to be demolished.

Sport

The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League and a team, The Doveton Eagles, competing in the Southern Football League.

Doveton also has a soccer club which participates in Division 3 (south-east) of the Victorian State League and a softball club participating as part of the Casey Softball Association.

Places of worship

• Church of All Nations
• St Matthew's Community Church
• Miracle Christian Center
• Doveton Baptist Church
• Doveton Mosque

External links

• Historical 1966 Melway map of Doveton - Page 90
• Historical 1966 Melway map of Doveton - Page 91
• Australian Places – Doveton
• Myuna Farm – City of Casey
• Doveton North Primary School
• Church of All Nations
• Miracle Christian Center
• St Matthew's Community Church