Timeline

The Wurrundjeri People lived in the lands including where Flemington now sits for many years prior to European settlement.

James Fleming wrote in his journal of an exploratory trip up the Saltwater River, reporting that the land had “stony soil, stiff blue clay and no trees only some straggling oaks by the side of the river.”

Charles Grimes, Surveyor-General of NSW, travelled up the Saltwater (Maribyrnong) River and described the lands surrounding Flemington as being rich pasture, suitable for grazing sheep and cattle.

John Batman navigated the Saltwater River and claimed the land by treaty from the Doutta Galla tribe of Aborigines.

Joseph Tice Gellibrand described the Saltwater River as “most beautiful”, with the land “very rich and consists of a succession of gentle hills and dales.”

The first race meeting was held at Saltwater River Flat Racecourse (later known as Flemington Racecourse).

The Rose and Thorn Hotel (later the Cricket Club Hotel and then the Vincent Liem Centre) opened opposite the Flemington Hotel.

James Watson purchased from the Crown the tract of land that is now Flemington for £782 15s and 6p.

Flemington Hotel was licensed by James Dunbar.

James Watson sold the tract of land that is now Flemington to William Easey.

The first of many annual Gymnastic Games held at Flemington Racecourse.

Gold was discovered in Victoria. Mount Alexander Road, starting from Flemington Bridge was subsequently the beginning of the journey to Mount Alexander (Castlemaine) and the goldfields around Bendigo.

Hugh Glass paid William Easey £4,100 for the land now bordered by Racecourse Road, Ascot Vale Road, Kent Street and the Tullamarine Freeway

A school began in a small cottage in Flemington village, moving the next year to a new school room and teacher’s residence next to Flemington Bridge, before being forced to close in 1858.

Common School 250 opened on Hugh Glass’s property.

The Victorian Parliament passed an Act to Prevent Further Pollution of the Waters of the River Yarra above the City of Melbourne, resulting in industries moving to Flemington and Kensington.

Ad hoc postal services commenced in Flemington.

The first school in the Flemington district was opened by the Independent Church on Boundary Road, with 42 students, and was later known as Flemington State School No.258.

The Wesleyan Church opened in makeshift quarters on Mount Alexander Road, later becoming known as “Little Zion”.

The Kensington Methodists granted a reserve facing Parsons Street for a church.

Newmarket Hotel was built.

Flemington National School opened, operating under this name until 1862.

The stockyards were moved to Newmarket.

The North Melbourne to Essendon Railway opened.

The saleyards at Elizabeth Street were moved to the Newmarket site.

The building of the abattoirs commenced.

The first Melbourne Cup was run at the Racecourse.

Flemington and Kensington had a population of 1,291, with 265 houses or dwellings.

Borough of Essendon was proclaimed, following a petition from Essendon, Flemington and Kensington residents.

Flemington House, the home of Hugh Glass, was completed.

Flemington National School changed its name to Flemington Common School, retaining this name until 1872.

The Borough of Essendon and Flemington was proclaimed.

The Flemington to Essendon Railway Line failed as an enterprise, with the rail line not used again until 1867.

Flemington’s first regular mail service began.

The Wesleyan Church was built on Mount Alexander Road, with funds from Hugh Glass, with the old church moved from its site to the back of the new church.

Lynch’s Bridge was in existence.

Flemington had a total of 99 dwellings.

The Prince Albert Hotel was built on Racecourse Road.

The Ridge was built on the Ridgeway, Kensington, by Edward Byam Wight, the first chair of the Borough of Essendon and Flemington.

The state government bought the Essendon Railway Line, commencing a branch line to the Racecourse.

Melbourne Corporation offices opened at the saleyards.

Hugh Glass was paid £150 by Flemington Common School for land on which to build a new school.

The new Flemington Bridge opened (Argus article Thur 16 July 1868).

Drainage of the West Melbourne swamps, allowing the land around Melbourne and Kensington to be used for industry and housing

The Pastoral Hotel opened.

The National Agricultural Society of Victoria held its first show on the old ground near the barracks in St Kilda Road.

The branch line to Flemington Racecourse opened and was used for the Melbourne Cup.

The Victorian Racing Club took control over the Flemington Racecourse.

Hugh Glass died.

The property of Hugh Glass was subdivided.

A Catholic Church reserve was set aside at Church Street.

Flemington Common School changed its name to Flemington State School, retaining this name until 1924.

Local landowners Wight and Coote attempted to establish a school in Kensington, but this was rejected, with another application lodged on 28 May 1875.

The government abolished road tolls, despite municipal protest (including tolls on Flemington and Macaulay Roads).

Telegraph facilities were introduced.

St George’s Anglican Church was built at Royal Park.

Debney’s Tannery moved to its Mount Alexander Road site from Boundary Road, North Melbourne.

The first major land sale occurred in Kensington, with well-known racing identity “Sam” P Davies purchasing land on the corner of Racecourse Road and Rankins Road (building the Palace Hotel within a few years).

A decision was made to erect Kensington School, to accommodate 228 pupils.

The population of Flemington and Kensington was estimated to be just less than 2,000.

Residents of Flemington and Kensington commenced revolting against the Borough of Essendon and Flemington.

Flemington Meat Preserving Works commenced operations on a site on the Bagotville Estate close to the Showgrounds.

The Catholic Church purchased land in Church Street on the corner of High Street for a church.

Kensington Street School began in a building of 3 rooms, with a total enrolment of 228 children and 6 staff, costing £1,636.

The Colonial Bank in Rankins Road opened.

Kensington Methodists were established in a small wooden church.

307 ratepayers were on the roll from Flemington and Kensington.

Official severance of Flemington and Kensington from the Essendon and Flemington Council, with the Borough of Flemington and Kensington subsequently formed.

Flemington and Kensington had a population of 1,811.

St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church congregation commenced, after being initiated by Marie Urie, daughter of James Urie, mayor of Flemington and Kensington, with the first services in the Flemington and Kensington Hall on Racecourse Road.

Flemington and Kensington Library opened.

First Agricultural Show at Ascot Vale during the Melbourne Cup week.

Flemington and Kensington Council floated its first loan of $15,000, all spent on street-making.

Additions to Kensington Street School completed.

Flemington and Kensington had a population of 4,825.

Council elections included a plebiscite on relocating the saleyards, with 532 (a 2-1 majority) voting for the relocation.

St Brendan’s Church opened.

West Bourke Times (the only local newspaper from the 19th Century) was founded by FS Neale, with the offices located on Racecourse Road between Pridham and Eastwood Streets, appearing to close in 1909.

Holy Trinity, Kensington opened its church.

St Stephen’s Church’s foundation stone was laid, with a commemorative coin struck by James Urie.

Flemington Kensington Bowling Green opened.

Kensington Skating rink (ice-skating) opened on the corner of Rankins Road and Smith Street.

The new Flemington Post Office was designed.

Construction started on the new Flemington Post Office.

A Royal Commission into sanitary conditions in Melbourne heard the idea that the Saleyards and abattoirs be moved to another site.

Land for the Post Office was purchased for £200.

Flemington and Kensington had a population of 9,069.

Construction completed on the new Flemington Post Office, having started in 1889.

A timber Catholic School (St Brendan’s) and brick Catholic Church were built, under the control of the Sisters of Charity.

NZ Loan and Mercantile Company moved its wool and grain stores to Kensington.

Flemington Court House and Police Station were both completed.

Land in Bellair Street was purchased for building the new Flemington and Kensington Town Hall.

The model working man’s cottage was constructed at 17 Lee Street by the Yarra Yarra Bowkett Building Society.

Flemington-Kensington Bowling Club opened (Essendon Gazette, Thu 10 Nov 1892).

The Victorian Racing Club fenced Flemington Racecourse off from locals, who had earlier used the grounds as their greatest recreational reserve.

Melbourne City Council took over control of the operations of the saleyards from a lessee (during that year 1,301,011 sheep and 91,635 cattle were sold).

Flemington and Kensington Town Hall was completed, at a cost of £6,000.

A by-law was passed by the Flemington and Kensington Council to make it illegal to drive livestock through Flemington and Kensington between 8am and 10pm.

The creation of “A Greater Melbourne” was proposed.

Holy Rosary Church, Kensington, began in Derby Street, later moving to a brick church on the corner of Ormond Street.

Kimptons Flour Mills burned down.

Essendon and Flemington Tramway had its first rails laid by Premier Bent.

Ratepayers of Flemington and Kensington voted 771 to 348 in favour of unification with Melbourne.

Flemington and Kensington together with North Melbourne became part of the City of Melbourne, under the title of Hopetown Ward.

Saltwater River’s name was changed to the Maribyrnong River, upon request of Essendon River League.

A plebiscite was conducted on trams, with 2,874 for and 146 against.

Flemington State School formed a cadet corp.

Minifecs Flour Mills was built.

2,016,301 sheep and 106,248 cattle were sold at the Newmarket saleyards.

Street lighting started the change to electrification.

Debney’s Tannery was destroyed by fire, with Melbourne City Council later creating a tip on the site.

Convent of Mercy and Teachers’ Training College commenced in “Ailsa”, the mansion on Mount Alexander Road (demolished in the 1970s).

Flemington House was purchased by John Madden, lawyer and horse breeder.

A new brick infant school opened on Wellington Street, with the senior school built in 1914 next door.

JJ Holland took over the secretariat of the Flemington-Kensington ALP branch from Perc Clarey.

Wights Hill (the area bounded by Epsom and Footscray Roads) was divided up for housing.

Sisters of Mercy took over the Sisters of Charity at St Brendan’s School.

Newmarket Theatre opened (possibly on 31.10.13), run by the Newmarket Picture Theatre Ltd, incorporated on 13.09.12 (including local butcher William Pridham and local printer George Brown). The theatre was later known locally as “the Flea House”.

St Brendan’s School was completed, construction having started in 1913.

Holy Rosary School started.

There were conscription campaigns (for and against) at the Kensington Town Hall in 1916 and 1917.

Melbourne Cup was postponed due to flooding.

Boy Scouts started in Kensington.

The Travancore Estate was subdivided.

The first electric train ran from Newmarket to Flemington Racecourse.

Kensington Town Hall was used as a hospital during the influenza epidemic.

St Brendan’s Church was completed.

88 passengers were injured when two trams collided on Mount Alexander Road, Flemington (Argus, Mon 17 Sep 1923).

Park View, Racecourse Road, was completed.

St George’s Anglican Church moved to its new church on Baroda Street from Royal Park.

Final lots were subdivided at Travancore.

The tramline along Mount Alexander Road was extended from Flemington Bridge to the new West Coburg route along Abbotsford Street, ending the 500m walk to the interchange.

Flemington School of Domestic Arts opened on the site of the Flemington National School, retaining this name until 1937.

Travancore Mansion (Hugh Glass’s former Flemington House) was sold to the state government.

Melbourne Town Planning Commission recommended that the saleyards and abattoirs be moved to Derrimot (near Werribee).

Holy Rosary Church commenced being built in Gower Street, Kensington.

Flemington-Kensington Returned Services League (RSL) formed.

Travancore Mansion (Flemington House) was officially opened as a residential special school and outpatients clinic for mentally retarded children.

Flemington School of Domestic Arts changed its name to Flemington Girls School.

Pumps were installed near Macaulay Bridge to alleviate the problem of flooding around the Moonee Ponds Creek.

Arthur Calwell, future Federal Member for Melbourne and ALP Leader, returned to live in Flemington, residing in Baroda Street, Travancore (where he lived for the rest of his life).

The Debney family sold the area called Debney’s Paddock to Melbourne City Council for £99,832.

Melbourne City Council promised to create a recreation space on Debney’s Paddock.

Travancore Home for Children (the former Flemington House) was emptied and used as a hospital for about 300 US serviceman.

6,206,550 sheep passed through the Newmarket Saleyards.

Travancore Mansion (Flemington House) was demolished.

Burge Brothers Factory, Racecourse Road, was completed.

Land and properties bought by compulsory order by the state government in the area surrounding Derby Street, Kensington.

700 residents petitioned Melbourne City Council asking it to implement its existing plan to make Debney’s Paddock a sports ground.

The Victorian government decided upon the ultimate removal of the saleyards and abattoirs.

JJ Holland, who held the seat of Flemington in the Victorian Parliament for the previous 25 years, died.

The Housing Commission announced that walk-up flats would be built at Debney’s Park, conducting an inquiry.

Houses on Victoria Street were demolished to make way for the walk-up flats, with protests and some local outcry.

The last movie was screened at the Newmarket Theatre (“Flea House”).

The Newmarket Theatre reopened as Vesuvio, showing Italian movies until June 1960.

The Newmarket Theatre operated as a dance hall until February 1962.

The Newmarket Theatre operated as a wedding reception centre until early 1964, with the internal theatre demolished during June/July 1964.

The Australian Ballet School was established on Mount Alexander Road.

The Holland Park flats were built (walk ups in Altona and Derby Streets, Kensington).

The Holland Court high-rise housing estate commenced being built.

Flemington and Kensington Library was opened on Racecourse Road.

St Stephen’s Church was burned down.

Macaulay Community Credit Cooperative Ltd was formed in the late 1970s.

Flemington Post Office receives a “C” classification rating from the National Trust.

A Joint Parliamentary Select Committee reported that the Saleyards and abattoir should be phased out by 1984.

Debney Meadows Primary School was opened, with 575 children enrolling (the majority hailing from Turkey, followed by Yugoslavia).

The Kensington Community Health Centre was established, after petitions and lobbying, driven by a Mrs Bryant (with a Flemington Centre opened in 1978).

Language classes for children from Turkish and Chinese families started at Debney Meadows Primary School, stopping after a few years.

The Flemington News, a community newspaper, started, later called The Flemington Kensington News.

Flemington Community Health Centre opened in the Presbyterian Church manse on Wellington Street before moving to 40 Shields Street.

Flemington Kensington Legal Service was established, in large part due to the efforts of local MLA for Flemington, Neil Cole.

The Flemington Tenants Association was formed, with the impetus being “the dilapidated conditions on the Flemington estate”.

The Lynch’s Bridge Project (regarding the redevelopment of the saleyards, abattoirs and surrounds) began.

Flemington Community Enterprises (FCE) was formed, as an umbrella organisation for High Rise Security Services and North West Conveyancing Services, to reduce unemployment in Flemington.

The abattoirs site was rezoned.

The Freeway Link Action Group (FLAG) began lobbying against the proposed western bypass.

The Women’s Peace Garden in Epsom Road, Kensington was completed.

The Wurrundjeri People lived in the lands including where Flemington now sits for many years prior to European settlement.

James Fleming wrote in his journal of an exploratory trip up the Saltwater River, reporting that the land had “stony soil, stiff blue clay and no trees only some straggling oaks by the side of the river.”

Charles Grimes, Surveyor-General of NSW, travelled up the Saltwater (Maribyrnong) River and described the lands surrounding Flemington as being rich pasture, suitable for grazing sheep and cattle.

John Batman navigated the Saltwater River and claimed the land by treaty from the Doutta Galla tribe of Aborigines.

Joseph Tice Gellibrand described the Saltwater River as “most beautiful”, with the land “very rich and consists of a succession of gentle hills and dales.”

The first race meeting was held at Saltwater River Flat Racecourse (later known as Flemington Racecourse).

The Rose and Thorn Hotel (later the Cricket Club Hotel and then the Vincent Liem Centre) opened opposite the Flemington Hotel.

James Watson purchased from the Crown the tract of land that is now Flemington for £782 15s and 6p.

Flemington Hotel was licensed by James Dunbar.

James Watson sold the tract of land that is now Flemington to William Easey.

The first of many annual Gymnastic Games held at Flemington Racecourse.

Gold was discovered in Victoria. Mount Alexander Road, starting from Flemington Bridge was subsequently the beginning of the journey to Mount Alexander (Castlemaine) and the goldfields around Bendigo.

Hugh Glass paid William Easey £4,100 for the land now bordered by Racecourse Road, Ascot Vale Road, Kent Street and the Tullamarine Freeway

A school began in a small cottage in Flemington village, moving the next year to a new school room and teacher’s residence next to Flemington Bridge, before being forced to close in 1858.

Common School 250 opened on Hugh Glass’s property.

The Victorian Parliament passed an Act to Prevent Further Pollution of the Waters of the River Yarra above the City of Melbourne, resulting in industries moving to Flemington and Kensington.

Ad hoc postal services commenced in Flemington.

The first school in the Flemington district was opened by the Independent Church on Boundary Road, with 42 students, and was later known as Flemington State School No.258.

The Wesleyan Church opened in makeshift quarters on Mount Alexander Road, later becoming known as “Little Zion”.

The Kensington Methodists granted a reserve facing Parsons Street for a church.

Newmarket Hotel was built.

Flemington National School opened, operating under this name until 1862.

The stockyards were moved to Newmarket.

The North Melbourne to Essendon Railway opened.

The saleyards at Elizabeth Street were moved to the Newmarket site.

The building of the abattoirs commenced.

The first Melbourne Cup was run at the Racecourse.

Flemington and Kensington had a population of 1,291, with 265 houses or dwellings.

Borough of Essendon was proclaimed, following a petition from Essendon, Flemington and Kensington residents.

Flemington House, the home of Hugh Glass, was completed.

Flemington National School changed its name to Flemington Common School, retaining this name until 1872.

The Borough of Essendon and Flemington was proclaimed.

The Flemington to Essendon Railway Line failed as an enterprise, with the rail line not used again until 1867.

Flemington’s first regular mail service began.

The Wesleyan Church was built on Mount Alexander Road, with funds from Hugh Glass, with the old church moved from its site to the back of the new church.

Lynch’s Bridge was in existence.

Flemington had a total of 99 dwellings.

The Prince Albert Hotel was built on Racecourse Road.

The Ridge was built on the Ridgeway, Kensington, by Edward Byam Wight, the first chair of the Borough of Essendon and Flemington.

The state government bought the Essendon Railway Line, commencing a branch line to the Racecourse.

Melbourne Corporation offices opened at the saleyards.

Hugh Glass was paid £150 by Flemington Common School for land on which to build a new school.

The new Flemington Bridge opened (Argus article Thur 16 July 1868).

Drainage of the West Melbourne swamps, allowing the land around Melbourne and Kensington to be used for industry and housing

The Pastoral Hotel opened.

The National Agricultural Society of Victoria held its first show on the old ground near the barracks in St Kilda Road.

The branch line to Flemington Racecourse opened and was used for the Melbourne Cup.

The Victorian Racing Club took control over the Flemington Racecourse.

Hugh Glass died.

The property of Hugh Glass was subdivided.

A Catholic Church reserve was set aside at Church Street.

Flemington Common School changed its name to Flemington State School, retaining this name until 1924.

Local landowners Wight and Coote attempted to establish a school in Kensington, but this was rejected, with another application lodged on 28 May 1875.

The government abolished road tolls, despite municipal protest (including tolls on Flemington and Macaulay Roads).

Telegraph facilities were introduced.

St George’s Anglican Church was built at Royal Park.

Debney’s Tannery moved to its Mount Alexander Road site from Boundary Road, North Melbourne.

The first major land sale occurred in Kensington, with well-known racing identity “Sam” P Davies purchasing land on the corner of Racecourse Road and Rankins Road (building the Palace Hotel within a few years).

A decision was made to erect Kensington School, to accommodate 228 pupils.

The population of Flemington and Kensington was estimated to be just less than 2,000.

Residents of Flemington and Kensington commenced revolting against the Borough of Essendon and Flemington.

Flemington Meat Preserving Works commenced operations on a site on the Bagotville Estate close to the Showgrounds.

The Catholic Church purchased land in Church Street on the corner of High Street for a church.

Kensington Street School began in a building of 3 rooms, with a total enrolment of 228 children and 6 staff, costing £1,636.

The Colonial Bank in Rankins Road opened.

Kensington Methodists were established in a small wooden church.

307 ratepayers were on the roll from Flemington and Kensington.

Official severance of Flemington and Kensington from the Essendon and Flemington Council, with the Borough of Flemington and Kensington subsequently formed.

Flemington and Kensington had a population of 1,811.

St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church congregation commenced, after being initiated by Marie Urie, daughter of James Urie, mayor of Flemington and Kensington, with the first services in the Flemington and Kensington Hall on Racecourse Road.

Flemington and Kensington Library opened.

First Agricultural Show at Ascot Vale during the Melbourne Cup week.

Flemington and Kensington Council floated its first loan of $15,000, all spent on street-making.

Additions to Kensington Street School completed.

Flemington and Kensington had a population of 4,825.

Council elections included a plebiscite on relocating the saleyards, with 532 (a 2-1 majority) voting for the relocation.

St Brendan’s Church opened.

West Bourke Times (the only local newspaper from the 19th Century) was founded by FS Neale, with the offices located on Racecourse Road between Pridham and Eastwood Streets, appearing to close in 1909.

Holy Trinity, Kensington opened its church.

St Stephen’s Church’s foundation stone was laid, with a commemorative coin struck by James Urie.

Flemington Kensington Bowling Green opened.

Kensington Skating rink (ice-skating) opened on the corner of Rankins Road and Smith Street.

The new Flemington Post Office was designed.

Construction started on the new Flemington Post Office.

A Royal Commission into sanitary conditions in Melbourne heard the idea that the Saleyards and abattoirs be moved to another site.

Land for the Post Office was purchased for £200.

Flemington and Kensington had a population of 9,069.

Construction completed on the new Flemington Post Office, having started in 1889.

A timber Catholic School (St Brendan’s) and brick Catholic Church were built, under the control of the Sisters of Charity.

NZ Loan and Mercantile Company moved its wool and grain stores to Kensington.

Flemington Court House and Police Station were both completed.

Land in Bellair Street was purchased for building the new Flemington and Kensington Town Hall.

The model working man’s cottage was constructed at 17 Lee Street by the Yarra Yarra Bowkett Building Society.

Flemington-Kensington Bowling Club opened (Essendon Gazette, Thu 10 Nov 1892).

The Victorian Racing Club fenced Flemington Racecourse off from locals, who had earlier used the grounds as their greatest recreational reserve.

Melbourne City Council took over control of the operations of the saleyards from a lessee (during that year 1,301,011 sheep and 91,635 cattle were sold).

Flemington and Kensington Town Hall was completed, at a cost of £6,000.

A by-law was passed by the Flemington and Kensington Council to make it illegal to drive livestock through Flemington and Kensington between 8am and 10pm.

The creation of “A Greater Melbourne” was proposed.

Holy Rosary Church, Kensington, began in Derby Street, later moving to a brick church on the corner of Ormond Street.

Kimptons Flour Mills burned down.

Essendon and Flemington Tramway had its first rails laid by Premier Bent.

Ratepayers of Flemington and Kensington voted 771 to 348 in favour of unification with Melbourne.

Flemington and Kensington together with North Melbourne became part of the City of Melbourne, under the title of Hopetown Ward.

Saltwater River’s name was changed to the Maribyrnong River, upon request of Essendon River League.

A plebiscite was conducted on trams, with 2,874 for and 146 against.

Flemington State School formed a cadet corp.

Minifecs Flour Mills was built.

2,016,301 sheep and 106,248 cattle were sold at the Newmarket saleyards.

Street lighting started the change to electrification.

Debney’s Tannery was destroyed by fire, with Melbourne City Council later creating a tip on the site.

Convent of Mercy and Teachers’ Training College commenced in “Ailsa”, the mansion on Mount Alexander Road (demolished in the 1970s).

Flemington House was purchased by John Madden, lawyer and horse breeder.

A new brick infant school opened on Wellington Street, with the senior school built in 1914 next door.

JJ Holland took over the secretariat of the Flemington-Kensington ALP branch from Perc Clarey.

Wights Hill (the area bounded by Epsom and Footscray Roads) was divided up for housing.

Sisters of Mercy took over the Sisters of Charity at St Brendan’s School.

Newmarket Theatre opened (possibly on 31.10.13), run by the Newmarket Picture Theatre Ltd, incorporated on 13.09.12 (including local butcher William Pridham and local printer George Brown). The theatre was later known locally as “the Flea House”.

St Brendan’s School was completed, construction having started in 1913.

Holy Rosary School started.

There were conscription campaigns (for and against) at the Kensington Town Hall in 1916 and 1917.

Melbourne Cup was postponed due to flooding.

Boy Scouts started in Kensington.

The Travancore Estate was subdivided.

The first electric train ran from Newmarket to Flemington Racecourse.

Kensington Town Hall was used as a hospital during the influenza epidemic.

St Brendan’s Church was completed.

88 passengers were injured when two trams collided on Mount Alexander Road, Flemington (Argus, Mon 17 Sep 1923).

Park View, Racecourse Road, was completed.

St George’s Anglican Church moved to its new church on Baroda Street from Royal Park.

Final lots were subdivided at Travancore.

The tramline along Mount Alexander Road was extended from Flemington Bridge to the new West Coburg route along Abbotsford Street, ending the 500m walk to the interchange.

Flemington School of Domestic Arts opened on the site of the Flemington National School, retaining this name until 1937.

Travancore Mansion (Hugh Glass’s former Flemington House) was sold to the state government.

Melbourne Town Planning Commission recommended that the saleyards and abattoirs be moved to Derrimot (near Werribee).

Holy Rosary Church commenced being built in Gower Street, Kensington.

Flemington-Kensington Returned Services League (RSL) formed.

Travancore Mansion (Flemington House) was officially opened as a residential special school and outpatients clinic for mentally retarded children.

Flemington School of Domestic Arts changed its name to Flemington Girls School.

Pumps were installed near Macaulay Bridge to alleviate the problem of flooding around the Moonee Ponds Creek.

Arthur Calwell, future Federal Member for Melbourne and ALP Leader, returned to live in Flemington, residing in Baroda Street, Travancore (where he lived for the rest of his life).

The Debney family sold the area called Debney’s Paddock to Melbourne City Council for £99,832.

Melbourne City Council promised to create a recreation space on Debney’s Paddock.

Travancore Home for Children (the former Flemington House) was emptied and used as a hospital for about 300 US serviceman.

6,206,550 sheep passed through the Newmarket Saleyards.

Travancore Mansion (Flemington House) was demolished.

Burge Brothers Factory, Racecourse Road, was completed.

Land and properties bought by compulsory order by the state government in the area surrounding Derby Street, Kensington.

700 residents petitioned Melbourne City Council asking it to implement its existing plan to make Debney’s Paddock a sports ground.

The Victorian government decided upon the ultimate removal of the saleyards and abattoirs.

JJ Holland, who held the seat of Flemington in the Victorian Parliament for the previous 25 years, died.

The Housing Commission announced that walk-up flats would be built at Debney’s Park, conducting an inquiry.

Houses on Victoria Street were demolished to make way for the walk-up flats, with protests and some local outcry.

The last movie was screened at the Newmarket Theatre (“Flea House”).

The Newmarket Theatre reopened as Vesuvio, showing Italian movies until June 1960.

The Newmarket Theatre operated as a dance hall until February 1962.

The Newmarket Theatre operated as a wedding reception centre until early 1964, with the internal theatre demolished during June/July 1964.

The Australian Ballet School was established on Mount Alexander Road.

The Holland Park flats were built (walk ups in Altona and Derby Streets, Kensington).

The Holland Court high-rise housing estate commenced being built.

Flemington and Kensington Library was opened on Racecourse Road.

St Stephen’s Church was burned down.

Macaulay Community Credit Cooperative Ltd was formed in the late 1970s.

Flemington Post Office receives a “C” classification rating from the National Trust.

A Joint Parliamentary Select Committee reported that the Saleyards and abattoir should be phased out by 1984.

Debney Meadows Primary School was opened, with 575 children enrolling (the majority hailing from Turkey, followed by Yugoslavia).

The Kensington Community Health Centre was established, after petitions and lobbying, driven by a Mrs Bryant (with a Flemington Centre opened in 1978).

Language classes for children from Turkish and Chinese families started at Debney Meadows Primary School, stopping after a few years.

The Flemington News, a community newspaper, started, later called The Flemington Kensington News.

Flemington Community Health Centre opened in the Presbyterian Church manse on Wellington Street before moving to 40 Shields Street.

Flemington Kensington Legal Service was established, in large part due to the efforts of local MLA for Flemington, Neil Cole.

The Flemington Tenants Association was formed, with the impetus being “the dilapidated conditions on the Flemington estate”.

The Lynch’s Bridge Project (regarding the redevelopment of the saleyards, abattoirs and surrounds) began.

Flemington Community Enterprises (FCE) was formed, as an umbrella organisation for High Rise Security Services and North West Conveyancing Services, to reduce unemployment in Flemington.

The abattoirs site was rezoned.

The Freeway Link Action Group (FLAG) began lobbying against the proposed western bypass.

The Women’s Peace Garden in Epsom Road, Kensington was completed.