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Bassendean
PerthWestern Australia
Bassendean Masonic Lodge 050720 gnangarra-116.jpg
The heritage listed Bassendean Masonic Lodge
Population 10,313 (2016 census)
 • Density 1,413/km2 (3,660/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 6054
Area 7.3 km2 (2.8 sq mi)
Location 12 km (7 mi) from Perth
LGA(s) Town of Bassendean
State electorate(s) Bassendean
Federal Division(s) Perth
Suburbs around Bassendean:
Morley Eden Hill Caversham
Bayswater Bassendean Guildford
Ashfield Ascot South Guildford

Bassendean (once referred to as West Guildford) is a north-eastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its local government area is the Town of Bassendean.

It is also the name of the sand dune system on the Swan Coastal Plain known as the Bassendean Dune System.

History

The land along the Swan River was quickly divided as settlers arrived in the Swan River Colony. Guildford was established in 1829 and within three years all of its town lots had been sold. A government reserve to the west, across the river, was deemed suitable for a town site, and the town of West Guildford was established. After he purchased a nearby farm from the Stokes family, Colonial Secretary Peter Broun named the homestead Bassendean.

In 1922, West Guildford was renamed Bassendean.

Flooding in 1929 caused severe damage, especially to the primary school oval.

In December 1934, Bassendean Road Board held a referendum, seeking approval to borrow funds for the improvement of an area, known as Hays Swamp, on the edge of the townsite. The development would include a bowling green with floodlights, a croquet lawn, Bassendean Oval, tennis courts and provisions for other sports.

Rail heritage

Bassendean is home to the Western Australian Rail Transport Museum which opened in 1974. The display has a collection of steam and diesel locomotives, most of which have been restored to operating conditions. Also as part of the collection are a number of carriages and other equipment associated including the Zanthus station and a signal box from the Perth city station. The West Australian Model Railway Club is also housed within the complex. The club has as a centre piece a working scale model from the children's series Thomas the Tank Engine, complete with all the characters .

Facilities

Lou's Hair Design on Old Perth Road in Bassendean is one of the longest established businesses/Hairsalons in the area, opened in 1982 by Lucio Pasquale and now run by his son David Pasquale. Cyril Jackson Senior High School was built in 1962, and was converted into Cyril Jackson Senior Campus in 1990 to provide specialised study for post high school students gaining entrance into university study.

Notable people

  • Peter Broun (1797–1846), first Colonial Secretary of Western Australia
  • Margaret Forrest (1844–1929), wife of Premier John Forrest
  • Pat Giles (1928–2017), ALP Senator during the Hawke and Keating governments
  • Deborah Vernon Hackett (1887–1965), mining company director and philanthropist
  • Rolf Harris (1930-) a disgraced former entertainer, grew up in Bassendean and was known as "The Boy from Bassendean"
  • James Henty (1800–1882), pioneer British colonist of the area
  • May Holman (1893–1939), politician, the first woman Australian Labor Party parliamentarian
  • Adem K, musician of the band Turnstyle has lived in Bassendean since 2001
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