Highett

Highett is a suburban town located in the state of Victoria, Australia. The town is situated approximately 16 kilometers south-east of Melbourne's central business district. Highett was named after William Highett, a successful land dealer, who owned several parcels of land in the vicinity. The area that presently constitutes Highett was initially inhabited by the Boonwurrung Aboriginal community. However, evidence of their presence is scarce since the town's development has drastically changed the landscape. During the 1850s Gold Rush era, the nearby ports of Beaumaris and Mentone were utilized as the entry points of supplies and equipment into the gold fields. As a result, the establishment of a train station in the area was deemed necessary, and that was how Highett's first railway station came into being. In the early 1900s, Highett witnessed rapid growth as a residential suburb. The formation of the local government in the region resulted in the construction of roads, schools, and community facilities in the town. Highett was known then for its thriving dairy farming industry. This industry fueled the construction of several dairy factories in the area, one of which was the Box Cottage Dairy, now a significant historical landmark in the town. Highett became a notable destination in 1956 when the Olympic Village was set up in the suburb to accommodate international athletes attending the Melbourne Olympic Games. A section of Bay Road was used as part of the marathon route during the games. Despite the anticipated influx of visitors during the Olympic Games compared to the town's facilities' current capacity, no new lodgings were built. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, Highett evolved into a hub of commercial and retail activity, with large shopping complexes such as the Mimico Centre and DFO Moorabbin being established. Presently, Highett has continued to be a sought-after residential destination, with a population of approximately 10,000 people. The Highett Railway Station, which was first established in 1859, underwent major renovations in the early 2000s. The station's original structure no longer has the country-style facade it once had and has been replaced with modern designs with the addition of an escalator, lifts, and pedestrian overpasses. These new features have made the station more accessible to the public and will likely increase its popularity as a destination for locals and tourists alike. In conclusion, Highett has come a long way since its early days as a train station in the 1800s. The town has grown rapidly over the years, played host to the Olympic Games, and established itself as a commercial and retail hub in the South-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. The town continues to evolve, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for this thriving community.