Kew East, also known as East Kew, is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, east from the Melbourne central business district, located within the City of Boroondara local government area. Kew East recorded a population of 6,620 at the 2021 census.
The suburb was developed as a series of small farming estates and communities. It expanded rapidly with the development of tramways and railways, including the now-closed Outer Circle railway line which had a station in Kew East. Today it is a mostly residential suburb with some small remnants of its agricultural past.
History
Pre-European settlement
The formally recognised traditional owners for the area in which Balwyn North is located are the Wurundjeri people. They are represented by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
19th century
A number of farming properties were established along the Yarra River following government land auctions, between 1845 and 1847.
The Wills family established "Willsmere Estate", a grazing and dairying property, with the name now reflected in Willsmere Road and Willsmere Park.
William Wade established a farm, named "Belford", next door.
The East Kew Maternal and Child Health Centre, in Strathalbyn Street, Kew East, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Opened in December 1925, it is the earliest purpose-built and intact baby health centre in the state.
21st century
The notorious 2020 Eastern Freeway truck crash, which received national news coverage, occurred in the suburb.
Street names
Windella Road was originally named Balfour Road, after Kew resident and politician James Balfour. McCubbin, Newbury, Frater and Lister Streets are all named after Australian painters.
thumb|[[Hays Paddock and neighbouring nursery, bounded by Eastern Freeway.]]
Economy
The main shopping area, "Harp Village", is located on High Street, near the intersection with Harp Road. A small local centre, Belford Court Shopping Centre, is located on Belford Road. There are also a number of CDC Melbourne and Kinetic Melbourne bus routes which connect the suburb to surrounding areas.
Education
Schools
There are two co-educational government schools located in Kew East — Kew High School, a secondary college located on Burke Road and Kew East Primary School on Kitchener Street. St Annes Catholic School is located on Beresford Street. and Green Acres Golf Club on Elm Grove are located in the north of the suburb. Parks in Kew East include Willsmere-Chandler Park, home of one of the suburb's three soccer clubs, East Kew United Soccer club, and the adjacent Kew Billabong, Hays Paddock on Glass Creek, is home to the Old Xaverians Soccer Club, Melbourne Deaf Cricket Club and Melbourne Deaf Soccer Club. Hyde Park, Harrison Park and Stradbroke Park are located in the south-east of the suburb.
Places of worship
Places of worship include:
- St Paul's Anglican Church, located on the corner of Windella Avenue and Hale Street.