Bassendean, Western Australia
It is also the name of the sand dune system on the Swan Coastal Plain known as the Bassendean Dune System.
History
In 1829, the land along the Swan River was allotted to British settlers as they arrived in the newly created Swan River Colony. James Henty and his brothers were granted 2,000 acres upon which they grazed their livestock and built a mud-brick homestead. They called their property Stoke Farm. In 1832, the Henty brothers sold the farm to the Colonial Secretary, Peter Broun who renamed the homestead Bassendean.
Over the years the Bassendean property became incorporated into the suburb of West Guildford and 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, some 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 Perth station. The West Australian Model Railway Club is also housed within the complex. The display's centrepiece is a working scale model featuring engine characters from the children's series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.
Facilities
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. Bassendean railway station is served by Transperth Midland line services.
Transport
Bus
- 45 Bassendean Town Centre to Bayswater Station – serves Parker Street, James Street, Old Perth Road, Devon Road, North Road, Hyland Street, West Road, Reid Street and Kenny Street
- 341 Morley Bus Station to Beechboro – serves Walter Road East, Penzance Street, Broadway, Bassendean Station and Ivanhoe Street
- 342 Morley Bus Station to Beechboro – serves Rugby Street, Broadway, Penzance Street, Scaddan Street, Bassendean Station, Ivanhoe Street and Walter Road East
- 353 Bassendean Station to Henley Brook Bus Station – serves Railway Parade and Lord Street
- 955 Morley Bus Station to Ellenbrook North – serves Collier Road, Scaddan Street, Bassendean Station and Ivanhoe Street
Rail
Industry
Bassendean has had an involvement in railway rolling stock construction and maintenance since Commonwealth Engineering opened a plant in 1951. It closed in the 1980s, with Goninan later taking it over.
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 (1930–2023), Australian-British entertainer and child sex offender, 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
- Jon Stockman, musician from Karnivool lives in Bassendean