VICFarming
Somerville
The orchard capital of the peninsula, built around its fruit station.
1860sFarm selectors take up the district
WHAT STARTED IT
Somerville’s soils and climate suited fruit, and it became the heart of an orchard district running from Tyabb to Hastings. The railway station opened in 1889 was well placed to send the crop to Melbourne.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Leading orchardists included the Brunnings, Shepherds and Unthanks; a fruit growers’ association formed in 1892 held its first show in 1895, and a cool store opened in 1919. Rising land values from the 1960s sent growers to Gippsland, and housing estates replaced the orchards.
TURNING POINTS
1860sFarm selectors settle the district, which probably takes its name at their wish.
1864Somerville’s first school opens in a new Union church.
1889The railway from Frankston to Hastings opens, with a station at Somerville.
1895The Somerville Fruit Growers’ Association holds its first show on 14 March.
1960sRising land values push orchardists to look for new land in Gippsland.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A growing residential town clustered around the station, with shopping centres, schools and sporting reserves. Its mechanics’ institute and the Fruit Growers’ Reserve recall the orchard era.