A residential subdivision south of the railway line, containing the current shopping centre, was put up for sale in 1887. The subdivision was planned in expectation of further land investment, which was delayed by the 1890s slump. Despite this, a local advancement association obtained the establishment of a railway station in 1891. The Surrey Hills golf club (1892-1907) utilized the ground on the north side of the railway line until residences appeared in any number.[4]
The local shopping centre, located just south of the railway station, began construction in 1913. In 1915, a tram service along Whitehorse Road to the suburb's north-eastern corner was established. Houses between tram and railway lines are distinguished by Edwardian, English Domestic Revival, and Arts and Crafts styles.[4]
Mont Albert was an upper middle-class neighbourhood, and its strong brick three-story elementary school (1917) boasts many outstanding students, including MPs, scholars, and a university vice-chancellor. Houses are generously proportioned and sit on large lots. In 2014, Mont Albert Primary School had 691 students.[4]
The Mont Albert businesses have kept a wider variety of retail establishments than is typical for a small town, however several were lost when the Salvation Army's southern headquarters were established there. The eastern edge of Mont Albert is Elgar Road, which has been home to a gas factory, a technical college, and the Elgar campus of Box Hill TAFE. The Kingsley Gardens public reserve is right next door.[4]
Albert, Prince Consort – The likely namesake of Mont Albert. Photograph by J. J. E. Mayall, 1860
47.6% of the population were male and 52.4% were female.
The median age of a resident in Mont Albert was 40 years old.
There were 1,286 families residing in Mont Albert.
There were 2,018 private dwellings in Mont Albert, with 1.7 motor vehicles being owned as a median.
52.9% of the population were married and 32.5% were never married.
23.5% of the registered citizens were of English ancestry, 21.4% of Australian ancestry, 13.3% of Chinese ancestry, 9.0% of Irish ancestry and 7.8% of Scottish ancestry.
The nearest bus terminal lies at Box Hill Railway Station, where many buses terminate and depart from. Box Hill is a neighbouring suburb of Mont Albert.
Mont Albert (and Mont Albert North) contain many walking trails. These include:
Heritage Trail
This is a Heritage Trail, about 5 km, developed by the City of Whitehorse. This starts and ends at the Mont Albert single storey railway station, constructed in 1911, and head east along Churchill Street.[10]
Gawler Chain
A shared two-kilometre trail which runs along Bushy Creek in Mont Albert North. It starts near Koonung Secondary College (a local State School in Mont Albert North) and passes through several small parks and picnic grounds.[10]
Koonung Trail
This trail runs through Elgar Park in Mont Albert North, and through the Koonung Creek Linear Park. It passes by wetlands, which are a key feature of this trail.[10]
Commercial area
Mont Albert has many cafés, restaurants and eateries, mainly on Hamilton Street,[11] Whitehorse Road and Mont Albert Road. Hamilton Street also has retail stores, pharmacies, butchers and supermarkets. These stores are all accessible from the street.
Sport
There are many sporting opportunities for people of all ages, and many clubs and facilities in the neighbouring suburbs. These include:
After the distribution of preferences, Paul Hamer received 19,982 votes (52.10% of the vote), whilst Robert Clark received 18,369 votes (47.90% of the vote).
The citizens of Mont Albert favoured Josh Frydenberg to be returned for a third term. Frydenberg suffered a −6.4% swing in Kooyong, however, he still retained the seat described as a 'blue ribbon' seat.
After the distribution of preferences, Josh Frydenberg received 55,159 votes (55.70% of the vote), whilst Julian Burnside received 43,870 votes (44.30% of the vote).
See also
City of Box Hill – Mont Albert was previously within this former local government area.
