Bassendean, Western Australia
| Bassendean Perth, Western Australia | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Guildford Road and the Midland rail line bridges crossing the Swan River from Bassendean to Guildford | |||||||||||||||
| Population | 9,640 (2011 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 1,321/km2 (3,420/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6054 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 7.3 km2 (2.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 12 km (7 mi) from Perth | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Town of Bassendean | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Bassendean | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Perth | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Bassendean is a northeastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its local government area is the Town of Bassendean. Adjoining the suburb on its eastern and southern boundaries is the Swan River.
History
The land along the Swan River was quickly divided as settlers arrived in the Swan River Colony. Guildford was established in 1829 and within three years all of its town lots had been sold. A government reserve to the west, across the river, was deemed suitable for a town site, and the town of West Guildford was established. After he purchased a nearby farm from the Stokes family, Colonial Secretary Peter Broun named the homestead Bassendean.
In 1922, West Guildford was renamed Bassendean.[2]
Flooding in 1929 caused severe damage, especially to the primary school oval.[3]
In December 1934, Bassendean Road Board held a referendum, seeking approval to borrow funds for the improvement of an area, known as Hays Swamp, on the edge of the townsite. The development would include a bowling green with floodlights, a croquet lawn, Bassendean Oval, tennis courts and provisions for other sports.[4]
Rail heritage
Bassendean is home to the Western Australian Rail Transport Museum which opened in 1974.[5] The display has a collection of steam and diesel locomotives, most of which have been restored to operating conditions. Also as part of the collection are a number of carriages and other equipment associated including the Zanthus station and a signal box from the Perth city station. The West Australian Model Rail association[clarification needed] is also housed within the complex, the centre piece of the model rail display is a working scale model, complete with all the characters from the children's series Thomas the Tank Engine.
Facilities
Cyril Jackson Senior High School was built in 1962, and was converted into Cyril Jackson Senior Campus in 1990 to provide specialised study for post high school students gaining entrance into university study.
Notable people
Entertainer Rolf Harris grew up in Bassendean, and was later known as "The Boy from Bassendean".[6]
Musician Adem K of the band Turnstyle has lived in Bassendean since 2001.
See also
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Bassendean (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ "History". Town of Bassendean - Home by the Swan. Town of Bassendean. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "FLOODED SCHOOLGROUND". The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950). Perth, WA: National Library of Australia. 16 May 1929. p. 6 Edition: HOME (FINAL) EDITION. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ "IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR BASSENDEAN". The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950). Perth, WA: National Library of Australia. 15 December 1934. p. 9 Edition: LATE CITY. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/museum/pages/bassendean/
- ^ George Negus Tonight – People, Episode 26 "Rolf Harris", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 23 March 2004, retrieved 9 June 2012
Further reading
- Carter, Jennie.Bassendean : a social history 1829-1979 Perth, W.A : Town of Bassendean, 1986. ISBN 1-86252-478-5