What if I told you Forest Hill wasn’t always the name of this suburb? Once upon a time, this area east of Melbourne’s CBD was known as Scotchman’s Hill and Mt Pleasant in the 1860s.
Welcome to Forest Hill, a suburb with a captivating history. Today, we’ll delve into its past uncovering stories of early settlers and its transformation into a thriving residential area. Forest Hill is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It sits 18 km east of Melbourne’s Central Business District. Forest Hill is within the City of Whitehorse local government area. The 2021 census recorded a population of 10,780.
The name Forest Hill is said to come from a cottage owned by Captain Bunbury in 1841. This name perfectly described the area’s original bushland. Another version says Mary Cooke, granddaughter of Ernest Clifton, knew the area as Forest Hill. Ernest Clifton was the postmaster and general storekeeper in 1917.
In 1868, Archibald McArthur bought six acres of sloping ground. This land became a productive flower farm. It was on the north side of Canterbury Road, near Springvale Road’s north-western corner. Before being named Forest Hill, the general area had been known as Scotchman’s Hill and later Mt Pleasant.
The first post office in Forest Hill opened on March 1, 1874. It was in the general store and home run by Catherine Peacock, a member of Archibald McArthur’s family. The slab-roofed building was on Canterbury Road. Early settlers remembered Mrs. Peacock and her daughter delivering groceries and mail by horse and cart. The McArthurs lived in the original post office residence on Canterbury Road before demolishing it around 1950. They made way for their new home. The suburb officially became known as Forest Hill during the Land Boom of 1961–62.
Now, let’s talk about Forest Hill Chase. This major shopping centre stands where Robert Kefford and William Dickenson had Crown Grants 94 and 95. These grants were later divided into smaller fruit and poultry farms. In the 1950s, an outdoor strip shopping centre was built between Mahoney’s Road and Pacific Way. Forest Hill’s transformation to a fully indoor site began in June 1987. The strip mall section was demolished. A three-story extension was added to the existing building. Major tenants like Coles, Kmart, and Hoyts moved in. This expansion was completed in 1989.
Forest Hill has evolved significantly over the years. After World War II, orchards near Nunawading were subdivided for housing. Forest Hill’s population began to increase. By the 1960s, Forest Hill featured a baby health centre, swimming pool, and sports reserve. There was also the Nunawading high school and a nascent shopping centre. Urban allotments bordered orchards, flower farms, and poultry farms.
Today, Forest Hill is known for its regional shopping centre, Forest Hill Chase. It also includes the former Blackburn South and Nunawading high schools. Forest Hill College had 528 pupils in 2014. In 2021, Forest Hill was ranked 93rd on Melbourne’s most liveable suburb list.
From its humble beginnings as Scotchman’s Hill to its modern status as a liveable suburb, Forest Hill holds a unique place in Melbourne’s history. Its transformation reflects the changing landscape of suburban life. As we conclude our tour, remember the stories of early settlers, the evolution of Forest Hill Chase, and the community that makes Forest Hill a special place.