Ashwood

Hidden between Ashburton and Burwood lies Ashwood, a Melbourne suburb that took its name from its more well-known neighbors. Ashwood’s story begins in the early 1950s. Before then, Warrigal Road marked the edge of Melbourne’s sprawl. Beyond it were market gardens, poultry farms, and dirt roads. Ashwood quickly transformed from rural landscape to suburbia. By 1951, around 1500 people called Ashwood home. A post office, initially called Ashburton East, opened in 1949 and officially became Ashwood Post Office in 1951. Later, two more post offices, Jordanville and Stocksville, served the growing community. Today, Ashwood retains its suburban charm while offering modern amenities. The Ashwood shopping centre on Warrigal Road features a Woolworths supermarket. Nearby, a smaller shopping area boasts a unique architectural gem. This igloo-shaped shop, designed by Robin Boyd, originally served as a supermarket and is now a heritage-listed liquor store. Beyond shopping, Ashwood offers green spaces like Ashwood Reserve on Gardiners Creek. This reserve hosts the Waverley Hockey Club and the Harlequin Rugby Club. A bike trail connects Ashwood Reserve to Gardiners Reserve, extending recreational opportunities. Other parks, like Electra Reserve and Salisbury Reserve, provide spaces for dog lovers, croquet players, scouts, and families. Education plays a vital role in Ashwood. Ashwood High School, Parkhill Primary School, and Ashwood School for students with mild intellectual disabilities serve the community. Ashwood also has a kindergarten and a preschool. Ashwood demonstrates how a suburb can evolve while retaining its unique identity. From its humble beginnings as farmland, Ashwood has blossomed into a vibrant community. It’s a testament to the ever-changing landscape of Melbourne’s suburbs.