Glen Iris, Victoria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glen IrisMelbourne, Victoria |
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High Street
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 Glen Iris
Location in Melbourne
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| Postcode(s) | 3146 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 30 m (98 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 7.1 km2 (2.7 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 10 km (6 mi) from Melbourne | ||||||||||||||
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Glen Iris is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is about 10 kilometers south-east of Melbourne's main city area.
This suburb is part of two local government areas: the City of Boroondara and the City of Stonnington. In 2021, about 26,131 people lived in Glen Iris. Since the 1990s, Glen Iris has been known as Melbourne's geographical center of population.
Contents
Discovering Glen Iris's Past
Captain Thomas Henderson of the Royal Navy arrived in Melbourne in 1850. He bought a large piece of land near Gardiners Creek and High Street. This property was named Glen Iris when it was sold in 1852.
Later, Robert Kent owned the Glen Iris homestead. He suggested building a Mechanics' Institute, a place for learning, but it was never finished. A Wesleyan church was built in 1865. In 1871, land was given for a school next to it, which is now Glen Iris Primary School. By the 1880s, people started calling the area the Township of Glen Iris. The Glen Iris Post Office opened in 1890.
Exploring Local Attractions
Glen Iris has many schools, both government and independent. These include Camberwell South Primary School, Glen Iris Primary School, and St Cecilia's Primary School. You can also find St Roch's Catholic Primary School here.
Some independent schools are Sacré Cœur School, Korowa Anglican Girls' School, and Caulfield Grammar School Malvern campus. These three schools are close to each other, south of High Street.
Fun Places and Sports
For sports and fun, Glen Iris offers several options. The Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre is a popular spot for swimming. There's also a BMX track at Hill'n'Dale Park for bike enthusiasts.
You can find the Burwood District Bowls Club here too. Many parks and ovals are available, such as Hartwell Sports Ground and Ferndale Park. The Glen Iris wetlands were created in 1989 to protect nature.
The Harold Holt Swim Centre was named after former Prime Minister Harold Holt. His political area, Higgins, included Glen Iris. It's a bit funny to some that a pool was built for a man who went missing at sea!
Churches and Waterways
The Glen Iris Road Uniting Church includes parts of the original 1865 Wesleyan Church building.
Gardiners Creek flows through Glen Iris. It forms the border between the Boroondara and Stonnington councils. This creek is a branch of the Yarra River. Back Creek, another small stream, runs north through the suburb. It has mostly been turned into a drain. The Monash Freeway and the Glen Waverley train line also follow Gardiners Creek.
Getting Around Glen Iris
Glen Iris is well-connected by public transport. Two train stations on the Glen Waverley railway line are in the suburb: Gardiner and Glen Iris.
The Alamein line passes through the eastern part of Glen Iris. Burwood Station is also within the suburb's boundaries. Trams are another way to travel, with routes 5, 6, 72, and 75 serving the area. Many bus routes also operate in Glen Iris.
Famous People from Glen Iris
Many interesting people have connections to Glen Iris:
- Eva Duldig (born 1938) – An Austrian-born Australian and Dutch tennis player and author.
- Herbert Feith – A scholar who was an expert on Indonesian politics.
- John Goss (born 1943) – A well-known racing car driver.
- Mack Horton – An Olympic swimmer.
- George Johnston – The author of the famous novel My Brother Jack. He lived in Glen Iris for a short time.
- Sir Thomas MacFarland Cherry – A respected mathematician.
- Colin McDonald (born 1928) – An Australian cricketer who played in many Tests.
- Ross Ryan – A singer-songwriter and music producer.
- Private Greg Sher – A soldier who sadly died in Afghanistan in 2009. There is a garden and plaque in his honor at Ferndale Park.
- Glen Iris was also the fictional home of Barry Humphries' character, Sandy Stone.
- Jo Weston – A talented netball player.
- Gerard Whateley – A popular sports broadcaster.
Sister Cities
Glen Iris has a special connection with Glendale in the United States. They are considered sister cities.
