Altona, Victoria
Altona Federal division(s) | Gellibrand | ||||||||||||||
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Altona is a suburb in
Altona is a large suburb consisting of low density residential in the south-eastern half and mixed industry in the north-western half. A feature of the suburb is Altona Beach, which is one of only two swimming beaches in the western suburbs (the other being Williamstown Beach).
Altona takes its name from the then-independent German city of Altona[5] which is today a borough of Hamburg.
History
Prior to arrival of Europeans, the Altona area was home to Kurung-Jang-Balluk Aboriginal people, of the Woiwurrung clan.
Altona was first permanently settled in 1842, with the construction of The Homestead by Alfred Langhorne. The name 'Altona' first appeared on maps in 1861.
On 20 February 1911, J. J. Hammond flew the first cross country flight between towns in Australia from Altona Bay to Geelong in Victoria, and on 23 February, also at Altona Bay, he undertook the first powered passenger flight in Australia.[7]
Coal mining formed the basis of the local economy from 1908 to 1919. However, this was brought to an end in 1930 when open cut mining was developed in the Latrobe Valley.
By 1918 the population was sufficient to justify a Post Office which opened on 14 January 1918.[8]
Following the
From 1862 Altona was a town in the
Politics
On 24 June 2010, Altona became home to Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, a then resident of Altona. Gillard was voted in by the governing Australian Labor Party to replace Kevin Rudd as its leader, making her Australia's 27th Prime Minister.[10]
Population
According to the 2016 census, there were 10,762 people in Altona, with 64.6% of Altona residents born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 4.8%, New Zealand 2.3%, Malta 2.1%, India 1.7% and Italy 1.6%. 73.3% of residents only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Italian 2.3%, Maltese 2.2%, Mandarin 1.7%, Vietnamese 1.3% and Greek 1.3%. The most common responses for religion in were No Religion 33.2%, Catholic 30.5% and Anglican 8.9%.[11]
Parks and gardens
Altona has many significant parks and gardens, including some important environmental conservation areas and wetlands along the shores of Port Phillip. These are also used by visitors and residents recreationally and include a long promenade along the bay. Notable areas include:
Education
Altona has four primary schools consisting of Altona Primary School, Seaholme Primary School, Altona College (a merger between the former Altona Secondary College and Altona West Primary School) and St. Mary's Catholic Primary School. The secondary schools include Mount St. Joseph Girls' College and Altona College (Altona Secondary College changed its name in 2007 to Altona P-9 College, then in 2019 included years 10-12).
Altona has a library branch, which contains the Environmental Resources Centre. This centre provides the community with access to media related to environmental initiatives in Hobsons Bay, including Industry Environment Improvement Plans from local industry.
Culture
The Altona Beach Festival is a free event held annually at the Logan Reserve precinct, (located on the Esplanade and includes the Logan Reserve parklands, part of Pier Street and the Esplanade), to promote and celebrate Hobsons Bay and the western suburbs. The festival includes a twilight street parade, beach market, double-decker bus tour, professional entertainers,
The Altona Beach Festival was previously known as the Bayside Festival and also Operation Recreation, and some residents still refer to it by one of these names. The 30th anniversary of the festival was held in 2007. It enjoyed a brief period of heightened prominence in 2002 when it was featured on the
is a major feature of the parade and the many community activities that take place close to the beach front.The Altona City Theatre is a production company based in the Altona Civic Theatre, producing two major musicals and a smaller pantomime annually. The pantomime coincides with the Bayside Festival and was originally intended as an outlet for young directors.
Scouts Australia has two groups in Altona. The 1st Altona Scout Group runs from the Scout Hall. The 4th Altona Scout Group are located at the Pines, an old camp owned by the City of Hobsons Bay.
Sport
Altona is home to many sporting clubs including
Altona is represented by many sporting teams, including the
Altona has an Australian Rules football team competing in the
The
Golfers play at the course of the Kooringal Golf Club on Wilga Avenue.[13]
The area of Altona beach directly west of Altona Pier is one of Melbourne's most popular spots for
Transport
Trains
Altona has two railway stations; Altona and Westona, both of which are on the Altona Loop. This is one of the two lines that runs between Newport and Laverton stations (the other being a Newport direct Express to Laverton track that operates along the former Geelong railway line, located along the northern boundary of Altona). Early morning and late night services to Werribee, as well as all weekend services, run via the Altona loop. At other times, the Altona loop is serviced by Laverton services.
Bus
- Route 411: Laverton station to Footscray (via Altona Meadows and Altona)
- Route 412: Laverton station to Footscray (via Altona Meadows and Altona)
- Route 415: Laverton station to Williamstown (via Altona)
- Route 903: Altona to Mordialloc (SMARTBUS Service)
- Route 944: City to Point Cook (Night Bus Service)
Other
The Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail, a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians, follows the coast through Altona. It links up with a path around Cherry Lake. Most major roads have on-road cycleways.
Industry
Local industry includes
The
Notable residents
- Julia Gillard – was an Altona resident while serving as Australia's 27th Prime Minister
- Adrian Tantari - Queensland politician, born in Altona[17]
See also
- City of Altona – Altona was previously within this former local government area.
- Altona Beach
- Altona Meadows
- Altona North
- Seaholme
References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Altona (Vic.) (Suburbs and Localities)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ "Oil Painting". The Age. Melbourne. 7 January 2006. Archived from the original on 12 May 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ "Altona". totaltravel.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ "Altona, Victoria". Australian Places. Monash University. Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ a b c Kennedy, B: Australian Place Names, page 5. ABC Books, 2006
- ^ "Mining". Altona Homestead. Altona Laverton Historical Society Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- ^ Australian National Aviation Museum. "Aviation in Australia". Australian National Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on 13 September 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
- ^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Reading Room.
- ^ "New PM". 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Altona (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
- ^ Full Points Footy. "Altona". Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
- ^ Golf Select. "Kooringal". Retrieved 11 May 2009.
- ^ Smith, Ailie (13 April 2000). "Altona Petrochemical Complex (c. 1961 - )". Encyclopaedia of Australian Science. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "The petrochemical complex at Altona". Technology in Australia 1788-1988. Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre. 2000. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ Harding, Nessie. "THE ALTONA CHEMICAL COMPLEX NEIGHBOURHOOD CONSULTATIVE GROUP" (PDF). Qenos. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "Get to Know Your Candidates: Adrian Tantari". The Courier Mail. 21 November 2017.