Breakwater, Victoria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BreakwaterGeelong, Victoria |
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V/Line train crossing the Breakwater Bridge
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 Breakwater
Location in City of Greater Geelong
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| Population | 1,014 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 327/km2 (850/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1837 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 3219 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 3.1 km2 (1.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Greater Geelong | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Geelong | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Corio | ||||||||||||||
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Breakwater is a suburb in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It's a mix of homes and businesses. You can find Breakwater about 4 kilometers south-east of Geelong's main city area.
This suburb is located right next to the Barwon River. In 2016, about 1,014 people lived here. Breakwater is also home to the Geelong Racing Club, the Geelong Racecourse, and the Geelong Showgrounds.
Discovering Breakwater's History
The name "Breakwater" comes from something special built a long time ago. In 1837, Captain Foster Fyans built a rock barrier across the Barwon River. He was Geelong's first Police Magistrate, which is like an important local official or judge.
This rock barrier was called a "ford." It stopped salty ocean water from flowing upstream into the fresh river water. This way, the people of Geelong had a good supply of fresh drinking water.
A Post Office opened in Breakwater on January 1, 1867. It served the community for many years before closing in 1982. Some parts of Breakwater, especially near the river, can sometimes experience flooding.
Important Historic Places
Breakwater has several places that are considered important historical sites. These places are protected because they tell us about the past.
- Barwon Sewer Aqueduct at 42 Leather Street
- Sunnyside Wool Scour on Tucker Street
How Breakwater's Population Grew
A "census" is when the government counts how many people live in an area. Here's how Breakwater's population changed over some years:
- 1861 - 136 people
- 1871 - 312 people
- 1981 - 1,521 people
