Garfield, Victoria

Garfield is a town in Victoria, Australia, 69 km south-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the Shire of Cardinia local government area. Garfield recorded a population of 1,786 at the 2016 Census.

For other uses, see Garfield (disambiguation).

Garfield
Victoria
Main street
Garfield
Coordinates38°04′S 145°41′E
Population1,786 (2016)[1]
Postcode(s)3814
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Cardinia
State electorate(s)Narracan
Federal Division(s)Monash
Localities around Garfield:
Tynong North Garfield North Garfield North
Tynong Garfield Bunyip
Cora Lynn Iona Iona

History

The area was originally called Cannibal Creek, but was renamed to Garfield in memory of the U.S. President James A. Garfield.[2]

The Post Office opened as Cannibal Creek on 1 May 1886 and was renamed Garfield in 1887.[3]

Methamphetamine problem

In the late 2000s, a surge of Methamphetamine use amongst locals hit the town, it has continued to steadily remain until present day.


Antisemitism in Garfield

In the early 2010s, police raids in Garfield allegedly seized several neo-nazi flags, uniforms and merchandise, as well as a KKK uniform. Several residents were arrested, and charged accordingly by police. The horse riding community in garfield attempted to cover up claims in local media unsuccessfully. Nazi related graffiti has been cleaned from the town by long term residents, despite protests from the new wave of horse people and modern residents who recently moved to the town from the suburbs.

Garfield today

Beginning as a successful railway and timber town, garfield steadily declined in industry over the years, becoming all but the ghost town it is today by the 1950s. Recent growth, due to increased house pricing closer to more built up areas, has seen a doubling of residential building and the (2006), upgrading of the railway line from Melbourne to Traralgon with increases in frequency of services by upgraded modern trains, is the only attraction to new residents, aside from cheap house pricing. A housing development, nearing completion in 2007, is for over-55s in a secure environment, away from the crime sprees that seemingly occupy the rest of the town. Previously derelict shops on the main street are now reoccupied, however continue to go in and out of business, due to health violations, and poor service.

Garfield has a dilapidated primary school with approximately 490 students. There is a church at the top end of the schoolgrounds. Local businesses include a milk bar, and a newsagency

The town has an Australian Rules football team playing in the Ellinbank and District Football League.[4] Garfield has an undulating golf course on Thirteen Mile Road run by the Garfield Golf Club.[5] A community swimming pool operates in the summer months within the recreation precinct however has been shut down as of 2019, due to a breach in the ongoing health violations that seem to plague the town, a 2019 water analysis of the pool water by health authorities after a tip off found a potentially lethal amount of e. coli bacteria, and toxic blue green algae aswell as salmonella particles, derelict netball and tennis courts are also present, as well as a small skateboarding site, along with a very poorly maintained football oval.

  • Main street
  • Iona Hotel

See also

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Garfield (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  2. "Garfield Township Strategy" (PDF). Cardinia Shire Council. 19 August 2002. p. 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012. Originally Cannibal Creek Siding was built in 1877 to serve the booming timber industry when the railway line was laid from Dandenong to Bunyip. The district was latter [sic] renamed Garfield after an American President.
  3. Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 11 April 2008
  4. Full Points Footy, Garfield, archived from the original on 30 April 2008, retrieved 25 July 2008
  5. Golf Select, Garfield, retrieved 11 May 2009
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