Selby, Victoria

Selby is a semi-rural township 41 km east-south-east of Melbourne's central business district, and 3 km east of Belgrave. It was the first station on the narrow-gauge railway to Gembrook (now the Puffing Billy scenic Railway).

1 History
2 Social Scene
3 Recreation & Government Buildings
4 Schools
5 External links

[edit] History

The settlement of Selby occurred in conjunction with Menzies Creek, a short distance eastwards. The provision of a station on the narrow-gauge railway in 1901 required the giving of a name. Selby was chosen, as a compliment to a local landowner and councillor, George Selby.

The land around Selby is particularly hilly, as evidenced by the curves in both the road and the railway. The eastern side of the township is dominated by the steep Black Hill, on which there is a reserve. Whilst the topography put restraints on farming it attracted tourists and weekenders. In the 1920s Selby's weekend population rivalled Belgrave's, but scarcity of subdivided land drew holiday makers and others away from Selby. Some notable Melburnians built homes in Selby, and the Charlotte Tye memorial Anglican church commemorates the wife of George Tye, owner of a Melbourne furniture emporium.

Selby's proximity to Belgrave ultimately attracted residential subdivisions, and a primary school was built in 1951. The township has several reserves and shops, including a General Store which continues to serve local needs.

Following a landslide at Selby in 1954 the narrow-gauge railway fell into disuse as a regular railway, later to be re-opened in 1962 as the current "Puffing Billy" line.

Selby's census populations has risen from 159 in 1933 to 1446 in 2004.

Wildlife abounds in and around Selby. King Parots, Galahs, Yellow Tail Black Cockatoos, Black Wallabies, Echidnas, Koalas, Wombats are often sited. Visits from Barking Owls have been recorded as recent as 2005

[edit] Social Scene

Selby Craft and Produce Market

Head for the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, just 4 minutes from Belgrave, and browse the large range at this indoor/outdoor market. Includes outdoor cafe for a coffee or snack. Open 3rd Saturday of the month (except January) 9am – 1.00pm.

Morley Street, Selby (behind Selby CFA). Enquiries 03 9752 6724

[edit] Recreation & Government Buildings

Selby CFA

CFA is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based emergency services. There are around 58,000 volunteer members supported by over 400 career fire fighters and officers and more than 700 career support and administrative staff.

The Selby Fire Brigade is a volunteer fire service located on the southern edge of the Dandenong Ranges. The brigade's area of primary protection includes the township of Sely, parts of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, farmland, and other areas of bushland both private and public.

The Dandenong Ranges are regarded as one of the three most dangerous wildfire zones in the world - arguably behind the southern coast of France and California, however the majority of incidents attended by the brigade reflect the residential/light industrial nature of the urban/rural interface.

Selby Community House

Selby Community House is a general agency offering community development, adult education, child care services, health and well-being, life enrichment, information resources, and IT services including Internet access.

[edit] Schools

The following schools are in Selby is:

Selby Primary School

Selby Primary school is an attractive school situated in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges several kilometres from Belgrave. Established in 1951, Selby Primary School recently celebrated its fiftieth birthday.

The school serves as a focal point for its diverse community. The school is located in an attractive setting on the southern edge of Sherbrooke Forest. Puffing Billy and the historic trestle bridge are featured on the school logo.

The school population has levelled out around 320 students. The school currently has fourteen classes, as well as specialist programs in Art/Craft, Music, Library, Japanese and Physical Education.