HISTORY OF SEAFORD

Seaford is a Beachside Suburb Of Melbourne, Victoria.

Its postcode is 3198.

Seaford was once home to the former Karrum Karrum swamp which once stretched between Mordialloc, Frankston and Dandenong. Prior to European settlement, the area teemed with wildlife and supported large numbers of the Bunurong Aboriginal people, who found it a rich source of food.

In the early 20th century, the Karrum Karrum Swamp was drained for farming purposes, leaving only a few small wet areas in the lowest parts of the land. Seaford and Edithvale wetlands are the largest of these low areas.

During the 1950s and 1960s, people were attracted to the suburb due to its affordability and close proximity to the beach and Frankston.

In 1985 the Ecology and Management of Seaford Swamp report was produced, which recommended the creation of more lagoons, substantial tree planting and improved public facilities. A master plan was subsequently proposed and implemented by City Of Frankston and Melbourne Water in a management partnership using funds from the Melbourne Parks and Waterways Grants Program.

Places of interest include the Seaford Foreshore Reserve, Kananook Creek, the historic Seaford Hotel and the ruins of the Seaford Wool Shed.

Location: 38 km from Melbourne

4 km from Frankston

Seaford Foreshore Reserve

The Seaford Foreshore Reserve is one of the few remaining substantial, continuous strands of natural coastal vegetation near Melbourne. Seaford is notable for this reserve, which divides the beach from Nepean Highway along the whole length of the suburb. This reserve was the site for an extensive dune restoration program undertaken by the Port Phillip Authority in 1972, under the title of the "Seaford Experimental Project". The program involved extensive areas of fencing, revegetation and the installation of walking tracks, seats, tables and shelters.

Seaford Wetlands

Seaford Wetlands is a 305 hectare nature reserve listed on the Register of the National Estate. The wetlands are home to a wide variety of bird life, including a number of rare and endangered migratory species protected by international agreements.

The large numbers and variety of bird life make the Wetlands popular with bird watchers. Many migratory birds from afar afield as Siberia visit the reserve from October to March.

There are stands of River Red Gums around the margins of the Wetlands, some of which are estimated to be around 300 years old. Some have scars where the bark was stripped for use by the Bunurong Aboriginal people prior to European settlement.

The swamp is noted for its prolific and various bird life. Around 130 different species have been observed there in recent years. The more common species are wetland-dependent birds which occur in southern Victoria, such as ducks, swans, rails and pelicans.

A number of rare migratory bird species also visit the wetlands between October and March. These come from Northern Asia and are protected by treaties between the Australian Government and the Governments of Japan and China. Many birds can easily be seen from the vantage points overlooking the wetland's lagoons. Others are more difficult to spot because they prefer the protection of the reed beds.

The wetlands support a small variety of native animals consisting of Swamp Rat, Water Rat, snakes and frogs. Three types of fish can also be found in the wetlands: Common Galaxia, Short-finned Eels and Mosquitofish (an exotic pest species).

Kananook Creek

The origin of the name Kananook is a mystery: some say ‘Kana’ is the Aboriginal name for ‘fish’ and ‘Kananook’ means sweet water. However, ‘Kana’ is also of Arabic origin meaning ‘channel’ and ‘nook’ meaning a ‘sheltered place in natural scenery’. Also, a similar word ‘Kanooka’ is the Maori term for Tea Tree.

The Kananook Creek runs from northern Seaford where it is fed by the Eel Race Drain and flows southwards through Seaford roughly adjacent to the Nepean Highway through to Frankston where it flows into Port Phillip. Lizards, snakes and frogs can be spotted in the scrub as well as Brush and Ringtail Possums. There are also over 10 species of fish and crustaceans living in the creek.

 Seaford Taverner

The Seaford Taverner, formerly known as the Seaford Hotel, was built in 1972 under the name of The Sundowner. The public bar and accompanying accommodation is a major local point of interest and is commonly referred to as The Gundowner by locals, based on its original name.


Walking Tracks

All the reserves have good walking tracks, now known as the Three Waters Walk

Seaford Foreshore has a track which runs from Keast Park south to the Mile Bridge on the land side of the foredunes with east/west access paths to the beach.

Kanannok Creek has a walking track from Eel race Road to Mile bridge and then a shared path from Gould Street to the creek mouth in Frankston.

Seaford Wetlands has a shared walking and bicycle path that almost encircles the reserve.



COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Education

Primary / Seconday Schools

There are several schools located in the suburb, including

Seaford Primary School - McRae Street, Seaford                        (03) 9786 1357

Seaford Heights Pre-School – Prince Crescent, Seaford               (03) 9786 6940

 

Seaford North Primary School – Hallifax Street, Seaford             (03) 9786 5674

Belvedere Park Primary School - Belvedere Road, Seaford           (03) 9786 3205

Seaford Park Primary School– East Road, Seaford                      (03) 9786 5197

St Anne's Catholic Primary School – Austin Road, Seaford          (03) 9786 4736

Patterson River Secondary School. – Eel Race Road, Seaford       (03) 8770 6700

Kananook Primary School – Wells Road, Seaford                       (03) 9786 6066

John Paul College - McMahons Road, Seaford                           (03) 8770 6700

Pre-Schools/Kindergartens

Belvedere Park - 2 Keerok Avenue, Seaford                              (03) 9786 3385

Kananook – Buna Avenue, Seaford                                          (03) 9786 6413

Riviera – Newton Street, Seaford                                            (03) 9786 5771

Seaford – McRae Street, Seaford                                            (03) 9786 1720

Seaford Heights – Prince Crescent, Seaford                              (03) 9786 6940

Community Centre

Belvedere  Community House - 36 Belvedere Road, Seaford       (03) 9776 8922

SPORT, RECREATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES

Seaford is home to several public park spaces including two with barbecue facilities and playground equipment. Seaford Scout Group, one of the earliest Australian chapters, merged with Carrum to form the Seaford Carrum Scout Group.

Seaford is home to Seaford United Soccer Club and Seaford Australian Football Club; both use the 'Tiger' moniker, The suburb is also home to the Seaford Cricket Club and Seaford Tigers Cricket Club. Once again these two separate clubs both use the 'Tiger' moniker. Southern Districts Rugby Club has it's base in the north of the suburb.

Seaford Football Club

Seaford Oval – Seaford Road, Seaford                                    (03) 9785 3223

Seaford Little Athletics

Riviera Park, Seaford                                                            (03) 9785 1676

Seaford Cricket Club

Cnr Seaford Road and Railway Parade, Seaford –                      (03) 9786 7895

Seaford United Soccor Club

North Seaford Reserve, Railway Parade, Seaford –                    (03) 9786 8611

Seaford Bowls Club

Corner East Road and Ti Tree Crescent, Seaford –                     (03) 9776 8289

North Seaford Tennis Club

Hallifax Street, Seaford                                                         (03) 9786 8822

Seaford Life Saving Club

Seaford Life Saving Club is located next to the pier which is 250m west of the Seaford Railway Station, making the club easily accessible for families via public transport.

The original lifesaving club and pier were constructed in 1919.

The new clubhouse is now complete.

Seaford R.S.L

17 Station Street, Seaford                                                     (03) 9786 1471

Seaford Farmers Market

Station Street, Seaford 

8-1pm, Third Sunday each month.

There is a huge variety of fresh fruit and veggies, meats, jams, breads, pastas, fish, honey and more.

Library

Seaford Junior Library – Seaford Community Centre                   (03) 9776 9965

Frankston Library - 60 Playne Street, Frankston                        (03) 9784 1020

Carrum Downs Library - 203 Lyrebird Drive, Carrum Downs         (03) 9782 0418

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Seaford Railway Station

The station is located at the southern end of the Station Street level crossing. Shops are located near the station. The station consists of two side platforms. Platform 1 contains a large brick building while platform 2 contains a small brick building. A large Metcard machine is located at the entrance to platform 1, which is able to dispense most ticketing options available and also accept notes and coins. A small Metcard machine is located at the entrance to platform 2. A substation is located at the UP end of the station.

Both platforms can be accessed via Station Street.

Kananook Railway Station

Kananook (station code: KAN) is an unmanned railway station on the Frankston line in Melbourne, Australia, situated between the Frankston Freeway and Wells Road in Seaford. The station has one central island platform and is located in Metcard ticketing Zone 2. It is named after nearby Kananook Creek.

Seaford is serviced by both bus and train. Two railway stations are within the suburb – Seaford and Kananook – on the Frankston railway line. Both are in Zone 2.