Hurstbridge, Victoria

History

Hurstbridge was first settled in 1842 by Cornelius Haley, a grazier. The area was originally known as Upper Diamond Creek, or Allwood, after the homestead built there on Haley's selection. The town was renamed in 1924. The town's current name is from the Hurst family. Henry Hurst worked for Haley, and in 1857 was joined  by his father Robert, mother and siblings. The Hurst's  took over from Haley, The Hurst's built the first log bridge across the Diamond Creek in 1858, upstream from the present Monash Bridge. In 1866, Henry Hurst was fatally wounded by a bushranger, Robert Bourke. Bourke was captured and tied to a wheel of a wagon under a tree (now known as Bourke's Tree) until troopers from nearby Queenstown arrived. Bourke was tried and found guilty of the murder, and was later hanged.
For many years the area was characterised by orchards and nurseries, and in 1912 a rail line was extended to Hurstbridge to transport fruit to Melbourne. As a result of this rail connection, a settlement started developing near the bridge. A Post Office opened in 1912, and the current single lane bridge designed by Sir John Monash opened in 1918. The township was originally known as Hurst's Bridge until 1915, and then Hurst Bridge until about 1954. Further development of the town occurred in the Post-War years, and electricity was connected in 1957.
The artist Albert Tucker moved to a 5-acre (20,000 m²) property in Hurstbridge in the 1960s, where he lived for many years. A series of paintings from the time depict the natural bushland around his property.

Today

The area includes a diverse mix of farmers, artists, commuters and tourists. Around Hurstbridge can be found a number of attractions including wineries, walking tracks, Farmers Markets and local artists' markets.  
Hurstbridge holds the annual Wattle Festival each spring.  The Hurstbridge Wattle Festival, is a significant cultural event for Melbournians that has its roots firmly planted in the early rail history of the area. Festival goers view the wattles in a blaze of glory along the Diamond Creek as they approach the township of Hurstbridge. The whole township is part of the Festival with various precincts set up throughout the town that serves to provide an extensive array of family entertainment, events and activities.
It is serviced by regular train services to and from the Melbourne CBD at Hurstbridge Station.
On New Year's Day 2003 the local primary school was destroyed by fire when an air-conditioning unit malfunctioned, and was replaced in 2006 by a newly built primary school.
The late race car driving champion Peter Brock was raised in Hurstbridge, where he continued to live throughout his life.
The Wiggles (Greg, Jeff, Anthony & Murray) often come to Hurstbridge for a holiday. They are regulars at the Hurstbridge Bakery.
A mobile library service operated by Yarra Plenty Regional Library regularly visits the township.

Facilities

The Hurstbridge Primary School includes Grade Prep to Grade 6 and is situated on Main Road, Hurstbridge 3099 and follows the Victorian Curriculum as set by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. 
The Post Office was built in 1918 was originally the Evelyn Observer newspaper office.
The Hurstbridge Hall is situated at 974 Heidleberg-Kinglake Road, Hurstbridge 3099, has a seating capacity of 120 with disabled access and amenities. 
The Hurstbridge Community Hub provides integrated community services and community room hire and is situated at 50 Graysharps Road, Hurstbridge 3099.  The services offered at the Community Hub include Early Years daycare and Preschool, Maternal Child Healthcare and other services offered by local community groups.  The local Basketball stadium is also situated within the Community Hub. It is almost impossible to park a car in Hurstbridge.

Sports

Hurstbridge has a football team playing in the Northern Football League, based at Ben Frilay Oval located at  36 Graysharps Road, Hurstbridge 3099 . It has a cricket club playing in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association and has a basketball club, the Hurstbridge Hurricanes playing in the DVBA. The Hurstbridge Netball Club is part of the Football Club.