Garfield, Victoria

For other uses, see Garfield (disambiguation).

Garfield
Victoria
Main street
Garfield is located in Victoria
Garfield
Garfield
Map
Coordinates38°04′S 145°41′E / 38.067°S 145.683°E / -38.067; 145.683
Population2,114 (2021 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3814
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Cardinia
State electorate(s)Narracan
Federal division(s)La Trobe
Localities around Garfield:
Tynong North Garfield North Garfield North
Tynong Garfield Bunyip
Cora Lynn Iona Iona

Garfield is a town in Victoria, Australia, 79 km south-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the Shire of Cardinia local government area. Garfield recorded a population of 2,114 at the 2021 census.[1]

History

The area was originally called Cannibal Creek, but was renamed to Garfield in memory of the U.S. President James A. Garfield.[2]

The Post Office opened as Cannibal Creek on 1 May 1886 and was renamed Garfield in 1887,[3] though this had not been the first choice of the local community.[4]

Garfield today

Garfield has a primary school with approximately 150 students. There is a church at the top end of the schoolgrounds. Local businesses include a newsagency, a sourdough bakery, women’s clothing shop, an opportunity shop, gifts and homewares shop, butcher, hairdressers, and several cafes.

It is also home to the Garfield Picture Theatre, Cardinia Shire’s first cinema in the region. The theatre was built in 1924, and was the town’s first source of electricity. Today, it’s one of the few picture theatre buildings remaining in the shire and hosts monthly concerts. [5]

The town has an Australian Rules football team playing in the Ellinbank and District Football League.[6] Garfield has an undulating golf course on Thirteen Mile Road run by the Garfield Golf Club.[7]

As at 2021, the population of Garfield was 2,114 (50.6% male, 49.4% female). The median age was 39. [8]

Garfield hosts two annual community festivals: the Garfield Christmas Festival in December, and the West Gippsland Railtowns Food and Wine Festival in March. Both events bring thousands of visitors to the town to enjoy local food and entertainment.

  • Main street
    Main street
  • Iona Hotel
    Iona Hotel

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Garfield (Suburbs and Localities)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 July 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Garfield Township Strategy" (PDF). Cardinia Shire Council. 19 August 2002. p. 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012. Originally Cannibal Creek Siding was built in 1877 to serve the booming timber industry when the railway line was laid from Dandenong to Bunyip. The district was latter [sic] renamed Garfield after an American President.
  3. ^ Phoenix Auctions History, Post Office List, retrieved 22 February 2021
  4. ^ "How did Garfield railway station get its name?". 4 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ Garfield Picture Theatre, Garfield Picture Theatre, retrieved 22 May 2024
  6. ^ Full Points Footy, Garfield, archived from the original on 30 April 2008, retrieved 25 July 2008
  7. ^ Golf Select, Garfield, retrieved 11 May 2009
  8. ^ ABS, 2021 Census Garfield
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