Williamstown, Victoria

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Williamstown (37°51′45″S, 144°53′40″E) is one of the oldest suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. It is part of the Local Government Area of the City of Hobsons Bay. It is the home of two out of the last three state leaders.

There is a shipyard there which builds frigates for the Royal Australian Navy, and a museum located on board the WW2 minesweeping corvette HMAS Castlemaine.

Williamstown is also noted for its extensive range of coffee shops, on Nelson Place, Douglas Parade and Ferguson Street. Williamstown also hosts a festival once a year on Nelson Place and a weekly, Sunday morning 'laugh club'.

The Strand which overlooks Hobsons Bay to the city of Melbourne is one of Williamstown's most beautiful and expensive streets, with most properties known to be sold for more than one million dollars.

Primary schools in the area include St. Mary's Primary School, Williamstown Primary School, Williamstown North Primary School and Westbourne Grammar School. High schools in the area include Williamstown High School, (Pasco and Bayview St Campuses) and Bayside Secondary College.

Williamstown is home to many yacht clubs, including Hobsons Bay Yacht Club, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria and Williamstown Sailing Club. There is a strong maritime feel to Williamstown, created by both the presence of the Williamstown Lighthouse, Tenix (ship building yard proprietors) and the many yachts floating on Hobsons Bay.

Contents 1 History of Williamstown 2 Historical Sites 3 Sports 4 Gallery 5 External links

[edit] History of Williamstown

In November 1835 Captain Robson, master of barque Norval sailed from Launceston, then crossing Bass Strait with a cargo of 500 sheep and 50 Hereford cattle which had been consigned by Dr. Alexander Thomas. After reaching the coastline of Port Phillip, Captain Robson chose the area now know as Port Gellibrand, as a suitable place to unload his cargo. Within weeks of the first consignment, a stream of vessels began making their way across Bass Strait. Many of these new arrivals decided to settle in Williamstown because of the sheltered harbour. Within five years of those first arrivals to Williamstown many buildings were built, including two hotels (the Ship Inn and the Woolpack).

During these early times the business heart of Williamstown was centred on Nelson Place. However, by the mid 1850's several shops, business and residences had begun to be established in and around Newton (which is now known as Williamstown North).

[edit] Historical Sites

• Williamstown Mechanics Institute (Electra St). One of Hobsons Bay's most historic sites, the foundation stone of the present building, originally a Mechanics Institute was laid in 1860. The institute now houses the Williamstown Historic society and a wealth of memorabilia about the local area and it's development through the years.

• Williamstown Lighthouse or Timeball Tower at Point Gellibrand (Nelson Place). Built in 1855 by convict labour, this bluestone tower originally operated as a lighthouse and still operates as a timeball. The tower is part of the point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park, which is currently being developed by Parks Victoria.

• The Old Morgue - The convicts built the old morgue in 1859. It was made from bluestone and it was first morgue building in Victoria. It was built because dead people were being stored in the local hotels. The morgue was discontinued in 1926 for the reason that it was built on the waterside and the odour and the sights of the bodies. The morgue was moved around three times before it was in its original place, which is in Foster Street.

• Gem Pier & Commonwealth Reserve Nelson Place. Home of the HMAS Castlemaine. Bay cruises and returns trips to Southgate depart there.

[edit] Sports

The Williamstown Seagulls are a local Victorian Football League team that plays out of Burbank Oval, experiencing recent success with a premiership in 2003. The Burbank Oval has a capacity of 10,000.

International tennis star Mark Philippoussis grew up in Williamstown and has a house there today. There were also numerous sightings of Mark Philippoussis and Delta Goodrem when they were still together. Other notable sports stars who live in the area include Australian Football League players Chris Grant and Rohan Smith both of the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League.

Lacrosse, a minor sport in Australia is also popular in Williamstown. Three clubs, the Williamstown Lacrosse Club, Williamstown Womens Lacrosse Club and Newport Ladies Lacrosse club all use the Fearon Reserve as their club house and home field. These clubs are all very successful at the Senior and Junior levels of the local competition with many premierships being won between them and numerous State and National representatives coming from among the playing group.

[edit] Gallery

Old Royal Hotel. Established 1852. Rebuilt 189?

[edit] External links

• Satellite image from Google Maps
• Williamstown Online
• Photos of Williamstown

This template is now obsolete.
Melbourne suburbs near Williamstown (City of Hobsons Bay)
Williamstown North	Newport	Port Melbourne
Altona	Williamstown	St Kilda
Port Phillip Bay	Port Phillip Bay	Port Phillip Bay

Suburbs of the City of Hobsons Bay
Altona | Altona Meadows | Altona North | Brooklyn | Laverton | Newport | Seabrook | Seaholme | South Kingsville | Spotswood | Williamstown | Williamstown North