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Guildford, Western Australia facts for kids

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Guildford
PerthWestern Australia
Guildford Town hall gn.jpg
Guildford Town Hall
Established 1829
Postcode(s) 6055
Location 13 km (8 mi) NE of Perth
LGA(s) City of Swan
State electorate(s) Midland
Federal Division(s) Division of Hasluck
Suburbs around Guildford:
Eden Hill Caversham Woodbridge
Bassendean Guildford Hazelmere
Bassendean South Guildford Hazelmere

Guildford is a suburb in Perth, Western Australia. It is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) northeast of the city center. Guildford is part of the City of Swan area.

This town was started in 1829. It was one of the very first places settled in the Swan River Colony. Guildford is special because it is one of only three towns in the Perth area listed by the National Trust of Australia. This means it has important historical buildings and places.

History of Guildford

Guildford was founded in 1829. It was built where the Helena River meets the Swan River. This spot was chosen because it had a good supply of fresh water.

Before the colony was set up, Captain Stirling explored the area. His team found a fresh water stream across the river from where Guildford is now. They called this spot Success Hill.

Guildford was originally the main town for the Swan River Colony. Later, Perth grew bigger and became the most important city on the Swan Coastal Plain.

A group called the Guildford Town Trust was created in 1838. It helped manage the town. After a few years, it stopped working, but it started again in 1863. In 1871, it became the Municipality of Guildford.

Guildford was once the main government center for what is now the City of Swan. The old council building is now a library. Next to it is the town hall. Behind the town hall are stables. These stables were used for horses belonging to the council members. They also stored town equipment there.

Today, these stables are home to the Garrick Theatre. This is the oldest theatre group still performing in Western Australia. You can still see parts of the original building. The roof even has its first shingles, though they are now covered by metal sheets.

Guildford is also home to the oldest government-funded primary school in Western Australia. It is called Guildford Primary School.

Historic Places to See

More than 200 places in Guildford are listed on the State Register of Heritage Places. This means they are important historical sites. Some of these include:

  • St Matthew's Church, Guildford (built in 1836)
  • Guildford Railway Station Precinct (built in 1881)
  • Guildford Grammar School (started in 1896) and its School Chapel (built in 1914)
  • Garrick Theatre (opened in 1932)

People from Guildford

Alfreds Kitchen Guildford 9387
Alfred's Kitchen

Some notable people have connections to Guildford:

  • George Cyril Abdullah (1919-1984) was an important Aboriginal community leader. He was born in Guildford.
  • Charles Walter Harper (1880-1956) was a person who grew fruit and worked with others in business.
  • Malvina Evalyn Wood (1893-1976) was a librarian and a college warden.

Getting Around Guildford

Guildford is on the Midland railway line. It has two train stations: Guildford Station and East Guildford Station.

Bus Services

  •        The 290 bus goes from Midland Station to Redcliffe Station. It travels along Great Eastern Highway, East Street, James Street, and Johnson Street.

Train Services

  •        The Midland Line serves Guildford.
    • Guildford Station
    • East Guildford Station
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