Historical information

This photograph captures a historically significant streetscape in Westmeadows, formerly known as Broadmeadows Township, looking north from Fawkner Street. The image features a dirt road with a vintage automobile parked along its path, flanked by trees and modest residential buildings in the background. A tall utility or signpost stands prominently, indicative of early infrastructure in the area.

The scene reflects the semi-rural character of Westmeadows prior to its suburban expansion in the post-war period. The presence of unsealed roads and early 20th-century vehicles suggests a time when the township served as a quiet residential and agricultural community, before the development of the Broadmeadows Housing Commission estate in the late 1940s.

Historically, Westmeadows was a key waypoint along the Old Sydney Road, and its built environment—including bluestone bridges and early civic buildings—offers insight into Melbourne’s colonial and interwar development. This photograph contributes to the visual documentation of the City of Hume’s transformation from rural township to suburban district.

Significance

This photograph holds historical and cultural significance as a visual record of Westmeadows, a township in Melbourne’s north-west, during the early 20th century. Captured from Fawkner Street looking north, the image depicts a dirt road flanked by modest residential buildings and mature trees, with a vintage automobile parked in the foreground. The presence of a tall utility or signpost adds to the authenticity of the streetscape.

The image is emblematic of Westmeadows’ semi-rural character prior to its suburban transformation in the post-war era. It reflects the township’s role as a quiet residential and agricultural community, shaped by its proximity to the Old Sydney Road and its historical function as a waypoint for travelers. The architectural style and infrastructure visible in the photograph provide insight into the urban morphology and transport conditions of the time.

As a primary source, the photograph contributes to the documentation of Melbourne’s suburban expansion, offering valuable context for researchers, historians, and urban planners studying the evolution of the City of Hume. It is significant for its ability to convey the lived experience, landscape, and development patterns of a community in transition.

Physical description

Sepia tone photo. Two cars on road. Trees, some buildings behind. Open land. Street view.

Inscriptions & markings

'Looking north Fawkner Street Westmeadows'/'PH-0018' (old catalogue number)