Did Burwood District always have this name. No. The story of Burwood District begins in 1858 with a settlement called Ballyshanassy. This name might sound more Irish than Australian, and for a good reason. The name stuck until 1879, when it was changed to Norwood and then, finally, to Burwood District. The name Burwood, interestingly enough, was borrowed from a house built in Hawthorn West in 1852.
Burwood District, as you see it today, is a far cry from its humble beginnings. The heart of the original settlement pulsed near the Burwood Cemetery and the Police Station. However, the area around the intersection of Warrigal Road and Toorak Road became a bustling hub, drawing commercial development like moths to a flame. The arrival of the Toorak Road tramline in 1912 further accelerated the pace of residential development, transforming Burwood District into a desirable suburb.
After World War II, Burwood District continued its eastward expansion along Burwood Highway, reaching out towards Bennettswood, where a post office opened its doors in 1954. Today, Burwood District stands as a testament to the passage of time, its story woven into the fabric of Melbourne’s growth. It’s a place where echoes of the past resonate amidst the vibrancy of the present.