Wilston, Queensland

Wilston Brisbane, Queensland
Wilston, 2015
Coordinates	27°26′06″S 153°01′16″E / 27.435°S 153.021°ECoordinates: 27°26′06″S 153°01′16″E / 27.435°S 153.021°E
Population	3,872 (2011 census)[1]
• Density	2,770/km^2 (7,160/sq mi)
Established	1880s
Postcode(s)	4051
Area	1.4 km^2 (0.5 sq mi)
Location	3 km (2 mi) from Brisbane
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane
State electorate(s)	Ashgrove, Brisbane Central
Federal Division(s)	Brisbane
Suburbs around Wilston: Alderley Grange Lutwyche Newmarket Wilston Windsor Kelvin Grove Herston Bowen Hills

Wilston, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, is located approximately three kilometres from the Brisbane central business district, and is a mixture of old and new styles of architecture, from workers' cottages to modern architect-designed homes on Wilston Hill.

Wilston is home to many professionals, including many medical professionals, due to its inner city location, proximity to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and views of the city that are available from more elevated streets.

In recent years, the area has been transformed by the revamping of Kedron Brook Road, an early precursor to the City Council’s urban renewal process that was to roll out across much of inner Brisbane. This has seen a vibrant hub of al-fresco dining evolve, which in turn has increased the popularity of the area and led to a significant increase in the cost of housing in recent years.

Residents are also well serviced by public transport (Wilston train station and regular bus routes) and leisure parks and walkways running alongside Enoggera Creek. The area is also close to local sporting grounds such as Downey Park and Ballymore Stadium.

Demographics

Oakleigh House, 2011

In the 2011 census, the population of Wilston was 3,872, 50.1% female and 49.9% male.^[1] The median age of the Wilston population was 35 years, 2 years below the Australian median. 76% of people living in Wilston were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 69.8%; the next most common countries of birth were England 4.5%, New Zealand 3.2%, Italy 1.3%, India 1.1%, South Africa 0.7%. 87.4% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.9% Italian, 0.6% German, 0.6% Cantonese, 0.6% Mandarin, 0.5% Punjabi.^[1]

History

Aboriginal history

The Turrbal clan occupied what is today known as Wilston.

Urban development

Wilston House, 2015

The area became known as Wilston after the home of the same name built there by the Honourable William Wilson MLC, who settled in the district in 1868. The home, which was constructed circa 1876, was named Wilston House after Wilson's birthplace home at Derrykeeghan Mills. Enniskillen County Fermanagh, Ireland.(The family believes it is short for Wilson Town)

In 1884 the land passed to businessman John Stevenson MLA, who subdivided the property.

Between 1924 and 1931 Estates were created to provide more land for housing development.

Notable residents

James Tolson, a short-term resident of Wilston House, conducted important experiments in chilling mutton for export from Australia to Great Britain.

Major General William Cahill, a commissioner of police in Queensland, also lived at Wilston House for a period. During his residence he further developed the grounds, which became known as a sanctuary for birds and native fauna.

Peter Beattie, the former Premier of Queensland, had previously resided in this suburb.

Landmarks

Oakleigh House, at 17 Murray Street, Wilston, has been a landmark for over fifty years. It was occupied, from 1902, by George Murray, a Brisbane police magistrate and postmaster. It is a colonial timber house which still stands proudly preserved today.

29 Murray Street (as a private home in 2011)

In 1905, 29 Murray Street was built for the Zoeller family. The house became a reception centre in June 1948, and was the venue for over 25,000 wedding and other receptions until in 1990, 'Oakleigh' was also converted to a function venue, and both houses operated as such until 1995.

Uanda, a house at 27 Clifton Street, is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register^[2]

Schools

Wilston State School is one of two schools in the area

There are two schools in the area, Wilston State School^[3] in Primrose Street and St Columba's Primary in Kedron Brook Road.^[4]

Sporting clubs

Sporting clubs in the area include Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club,^[5] Wilston Grange Australian Football Club,^[6] Fortitude Valley Rugby League Football Club^[7] and St Andrews Ladies Hockey Club.^[8] Other clubs include DAT Racing (triathlon),^[9] Wilston Crocs (swimming club),^[10] Lococo Tennis.^[11] The nearby Grange Club^[12] (Grange Bowls and Community Club Inc.) has represented the suburb in lawn bowls for 70 years.

Retail business

Wilston Village in Kedron Brook Road is the main retail area.^[13] Local stores in the area are supplemented by larger centres at HomeZone at Windsor,^[14] Lutwyche Shopping Centre and slightly further away at Stafford and Brookside.

Transport

Wilston railway station provides access to regular Queensland Rail City network services to Ferny Grove, Brisbane and Beenleigh.

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Wilston (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
2. "Uanda (entry 601156)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
3. "Wilston State School". Wilstonss.eq.edu.au. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
4. "St Columba's Catholic Primary School, Wilston". St Columba's Catholic Primary School. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
5. "Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club". Wilston-Norths Junior Cricket Club. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
6. "Wilston Grange Australian Football Club - Home". Gorillas.com.au. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
7. "Club News - Fortitude Valley RLFC - Jnr Div Inc. - FOX SPORTS PULSE". SportingPulse. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
8. "Brisbane Women's Hockey - St Andrews Ladies Hockey Association". Standrewshockey.com. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
9. "Dan Atkins – The life of a High Performance Coach". first off the bike. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
10. "Come and swim with the 'Crocs'". Wilston State School Amateur Swim Club. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
11. "Lococo Tennis". Lococotennis.com.au. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
12. http://grangeclub.com.au/
13. "Local Attractions". Number38 Wilston Village. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
14. "Welcome to Homezone Windsor". Homezone Windsor. Retrieved 2 January 2015.

External links

• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Wilston
• "Wilston". BRISbites. Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008.
• "Wilston". Our Brisbane. Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008.