History and heritage
Boroondara has a long, rich history of both indigenous and European settlement.
This area was originally part of the hunting grounds of a
Wurundjeri clan of the Woiwurrung people. In 1837, John Gardiner
and his family were the first Europeans to settle here.
Surveying the area that same year, Robert Hoddle declared it the
'Parish of Boroondara'. As the area was densely wooded, he
took the word from the Woiwurrung language, translating it as '
where the ground is thickly shaded'.
The first Local Government body was the Boroondara District Road
Board, formed in 1854 and incorporated the areas which were to
become Hawthorn, Kew and Camberwell.
Hawthorn and Kew were created as separate municipalities in 1860
and the remaining area of the Road Board became Boroondara Shire in
1871. This later became the City of Camberwell.
With the amalgamation of the Cities of Camberwell, Kew and Hawthorn
in June 1994 the City of Boroondara was created.
The logo of the municipality represents this amalgamation, as well
as the geography and history of the area. The Yarra River,
Gardiner's Creek and the area's leafy environment are
symbolised.
The formal shape of the logo suggests the structured settlement of
Boroondara, and the circle represents the community that is
embraced and shaded by the other elements. The colours express
early Aboriginal influences. For more information on
Boroondara's Aboriginal heritage, see the Indigenous Heritage Study.
Share:
-
In this section
Historical societies and groups
A list of local history groups within Boroondara.
History of ward names
Details the history of the Boroondara ward names.
Local heritage sites
A selection of sites with historical significance within the municipality.
Local history resources
Find out more about Boroondara's rich and colourful past.