Bassendean, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bassendean Perth, Western Australia
The heritage listed Bassendean Masonic Lodge
Postcode(s)	6054
Area	7.3 km2 (2.8 sq mi)
Location	12 km (7 mi) from Perth
LGA(s)	Town of Bassendean
State electorate(s)	Bassendean
Federal Division(s)	Perth
Suburbs around Bassendean: Morley Eden Hill Caversham Bayswater Bassendean Guildford Ashfield Ascot South Guildford

Bassendean is a suburb in Perth, Western Australia. It's located in the north-east part of the city. Long ago, this area was known as West Guildford. The local government that looks after Bassendean is called the Town of Bassendean.

Did you know Bassendean is also the name of a unique sand dune system? It's part of the wider Swan Coastal Plain area.

Discovering Bassendean's Past

How Bassendean Got Its Name

In 1829, British settlers arrived in the new Swan River Colony. They were given land along the Swan River. James Henty and his brothers received a large piece of land, about 2,000 acres. They used this land to graze their animals. They also built a house from mud bricks and called their property Stoke Farm.

In 1832, the Henty brothers sold the farm. The new owner was Peter Broun, who was the Colonial Secretary. He renamed the farm Bassendean. Over time, the Bassendean property became part of the suburb of West Guildford. In 1922, West Guildford was officially renamed Bassendean.

Early Challenges and Community Growth

In 1929, a big flood caused a lot of damage in Bassendean. The primary school oval was especially affected by the high water.

In December 1934, the local council, then called the Bassendean Road Board, held a vote. They wanted to borrow money to improve an area known as Hays Swamp. Their plan was to build many sports facilities. These included a bowling green with lights, a croquet lawn, the Bassendean Oval, and tennis courts. They also planned for other sports areas for the community to enjoy.

Exploring the Rail Transport Museum

Bassendean is home to the Western Australian Rail Transport Museum. This museum first opened its doors in 1974. It has a huge collection of old trains. You can see both steam and diesel locomotives there. Some of these trains have been carefully fixed up and can even run again!

The museum also displays old train carriages and other railway equipment. This includes the old Zanthus station building and a signal box from Perth station. The West Australian Model Railway Club is also located at the museum. A very popular part of the museum is a working model railway. It features train characters from the children's show Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

Facilities and Transport in Bassendean

Schools and Education

Cyril Jackson Senior High School was built in 1962. In 1990, it changed its name to Cyril Jackson Senior Campus. This campus helps students who have finished high school. It offers special courses to help them get ready for university.

Public Transport Options

Bassendean has good public transport connections. Bassendean railway station is served by Transperth trains. These trains run along the Midland line.

There are also several bus routes that serve Bassendean:

• Bus 45: This bus travels from Bassendean Town Centre to Bayswater Station. It goes along streets like Parker Street, James Street, and Old Perth Road.
• Bus 341: This route connects Morley Bus Station to Beechboro. It stops at Walter Road East, Broadway, Bassendean Station, and Ivanhoe Street.
• Bus 342: This bus also connects Morley Bus Station to Beechboro. This route uses Rugby Street, Broadway, Scaddan Street, Bassendean Station, and Ivanhoe Street.
• Bus 353: This bus runs from Bassendean Station to Henley Brook Bus Station. It travels along Railway Parade and Lord Street.
• Bus 955: This route goes from Morley Bus Station to Ellenbrook North. It serves Collier Road, Scaddan Street, Bassendean Station, and Ivanhoe Street.

Train Stations in the Area

The Midland Line has a few train stations in or very close to Bassendean:

• Ashfield Station
• Bassendean Station
• Success Hill Station

Industries and Work in Bassendean

Bassendean has a history of building and fixing railway parts. In 1951, a company called Commonwealth Engineering opened a factory here. This factory made and repaired train rolling stock, which are the wagons and carriages of a train. It closed in the 1980s. Later, another company called Goninan took over the site.

Famous People Connected to Bassendean

Many notable people have connections to Bassendean:

• Peter Broun (1797–1846): He was the very first Colonial Secretary of Western Australia.
• Margaret Forrest (1844–1929): She was the wife of John Forrest, who became a Premier (a leader of the state government).
• Pat Giles (1928–2017): She was a Senator for the Australian Labor Party. She served in the Australian Parliament during the time of the Hawke and Keating governments.
• Deborah Vernon Hackett (1887–1965): She was a director of mining companies and gave a lot of money to charity.
• James Henty (1800–1882): He was one of the first British settlers in the Bassendean area.
• May Holman (1893–1939): She was a politician and the first woman from the Australian Labor Party to be a parliamentarian (a member of parliament).
• Adem K: A musician from the band Turnstyle. He has lived in Bassendean since 2001.
• Jon Stockman: A musician from the band Karnivool. He lives in Bassendean.