Dream of ship masts. Imagine them being cut from a gully in 1850. This is how the area near the TXA Upwey Site was once known as Mast Gully.
Before we delve deeper into the story of the TXA Upwey Site, let’s journey back to a time when Upwey didn’t exist as a separate entity. This area was part of a village settlement scheme in the mid-1890s. It was divided into ten-acre blocks and known as Scoresby.
The name Upwey came later. Three sisters, the Tullidges, bought a homestead in 1897. They named it Upwey after an English village on the River Wey. The sisters were influential. They persuaded the Victorian Railways to build a stopping place near their house. This stopping place took on the name Upwey.
The name Upwey gained popularity. The Upwey Church of England was built in 1904. The post office followed in 1911. It was housed in a newly constructed store.
The Victorian Government tourists’ handbook in 1918 described Upwey. It noted the town had a Progress Association hall and a fire brigade. Upwey became a gathering place in the 1920s. The Union Church held its annual Convention here. Open-air preaching continued until 1950. The Convention then moved from the Upwey high school site to Belgrave Heights.
More weekenders built homes in Upwey. A bowling green opened in 1929. The Upwey Primary School opened in 1934. A higher elementary school was established three years later. In 1945, it became a high school. This school served several Dandenong Ranges townships.
Upwey’s population grew rapidly. Wartime evacuees from the city decided to stay. Weekenders were replaced by permanent residents. Even bushfires threatened Upwey in 2009.
Today, Upwey has a thriving shopping center. It is located near the railway station. You will notice it is away from the Burwood Highway. There are also recreation reserves here.
The Sherbrooke Foothills Historical Society focuses on the history of Upwey. They help build an appreciation of local history.
The Upwey Higher Elementary School opened in 1937. It was the first post-primary educational institute in the shire of Ferntree Gully. The school was temporarily located. The school eventually moved to the iconic curved brick building on August 4th, 1937.
Upwey has transformed over the years. From ship masts to a residential suburb, it has a rich history. Its name reflects a connection to an English village, Upwey’s story continues to evolve. As we stand here at the TXA Upwey Site, consider the layers of history beneath our feet.