Essendon is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley.

Transport

The number 59 tram provides public transport along Mt Alexander and Keilor roads to the city.

Train services are available from Essendon and Glenbervie railway stations on the Broadmeadows railway line.

The suburb adjoins the Maribyrnong River Trail, which is used by commuting and recreational cyclists.

Politics

The seat of Essendon in the Victorian Legislative Assembly is based on the suburb. The current state member is Judy Maddigan for the Australian Labor Party.

Sport and Culture

Essendon is home of the Essendon Football Club an Australian rules football club, which is a member of the Australian Football League.

History

Essendon and the banks of the Maribyrnong River were originally inhabited by the Wurundjeri tribe of the Kulin aboriginal nation.

In 1803 Charles Grimes and James Fleming were the first known European explorers into the Maribyrnong area.

In 1851 the gold rush opened up the Moonee Ponds District with miners travelling along Mount Alexander Road to Castlemaine.

In 1860 Burke and Wills spent their first night in Essendon.

In 1862 169 residents sought the formation of the Borough of Essendon and Flemington.

In the 1880's, the local council resisted industrial development in the form of cattle saleyards and brickworks, out of concern for pollution of the Maribyrnong River. Instead it embarked on a program to create, in its upper reaches, a playground for rowers, fisherman and swimmers.

External Links

• Essendon Historical Society Inc (http://members.optushome.com.au/lenorefrost/ehs.html)

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