Lathlain, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids LathlainPerth, Western Australia |
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Lathlain railway station, before it was closed and razed
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| Established | 1890s | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6100 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 1.6 km2 (0.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 6 km (4 mi) from Perth | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Town of Victoria Park | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Victoria Park | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Swan | ||||||||||||||
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Lathlain is a friendly suburb located in the south-east part of Perth, Western Australia. It's part of the Town of Victoria Park local area.
Contents
The Story of Lathlain
Lathlain started to grow in the 1890s. A company called Peet and Co began selling land here. They called it the "Victoria Park Station Estate." You could buy a quarter-acre block for about £25–30, which was a lot of money back then!
The company advertised the land in a fun way. They talked about an "Oldest Settler" tree that looked like a standing person. They told people to "Look for the Oldest Settler from the train and at the pictures." They also promised "Childrens Playgrounds for every group of homes."
Even with all the advertising, not many people moved in at first. After World War II, people started building homes. Back then, Lathlain was mostly bushland with some big trees. Sometimes, even cows from a nearby area would wander through!
How Lathlain Was Planned
In 1920, Lathlain was designed to be a "garden suburb." This means it was planned to have lots of green spaces and gardens. The first idea was to have 16 small parks spread out for everyone to enjoy. But the local government, the City of Perth, worried about keeping them tidy. So, the plan was changed to only two main parks.
Who Lathlain Is Named After
The suburb is named after Sir William Lathlain. He was the Lord Mayor of Perth from 1918 to 1923. People started using the name "Lathlain" in the 1950s after a park was built there. The name officially became "Lathlain" in 1981.
Lathlain and Football
In 1953, a famous Australian rules football team, the Perth Football Club, decided to build a new home ground in Lathlain. The local council agreed, and construction began.
The club moved into their new ground, called Lathlain Park, on July 11, 1959. The team, known as the Phoenix Demons, became very successful there. They won championships in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1976, and 1977! In 2003, the ground's name was changed to Eftel Oval.
Saving the Local School
As more families moved to Lathlain, a primary school was built in 1956. In the early 1990s, the school was almost closed because not enough students were enrolled. But students, parents, and people living in Lathlain worked together to keep it open. They succeeded! Today, the school is doing well and has good facilities.
What Lathlain Looks Like
Lathlain is mostly a place where people live. It has some important roads around it, like Great Eastern Highway and Orrong Road. The Armadale railway runs along one side.
You'll find several parks here. The most famous is Lathlain Park, which is home to the Phoenix Demons football team. There's also J.A. Lee Reserve. Rayment Park is a smaller park right in the middle of the suburb. It's next to Lathlain Primary School, local shops, a playgroup, a toy library, and a scout hall.
If you go to the western side of Lathlain, which is on a hill, you can see great views of the city and the hills in the distance!
Places to Visit
Lathlain is mainly a residential area, meaning it's where people live. It has two parks and two hotels. For bigger shops and other services, people usually go to nearby areas like Victoria Park and Belmont.
Getting Around Lathlain
Lathlain is easy to get around using public transport.
Train Services
The Victoria Park train station is on the edge of Lathlain. You can catch trains on the Armadale/Thornlie Line from here.
There used to be a Lathlain railway station built in 1959. It was located at the start of Goddard Street. However, it closed on February 3, 2003. Today, there's almost no sign of it left. But the old "Lathlain" lighted signs from the station were given to the Perth Football Club. They keep them in their clubroom because of the club's history with the station.
Bus Services
Several bus routes serve Lathlain:
- Route 39: Travels from Elizabeth Quay Bus Station to Redcliffe Station. It goes along Cornwall Street, Gallipoli Street, Streatley Road, Goddard Street, and Howick Street.
- Route 51: Goes from Perth Busport to Cannington Station, serving Orrong Road.
Other bus routes that use Great Eastern Highway near Lathlain include:
- Route 270: From Elizabeth Quay Bus Station to High Wycombe Station.
- Route 935: From Kings Park to Redcliffe Station (this bus comes often).
- Route 940: From Elizabeth Quay Bus Station to Redcliffe Station (this bus also comes often).
