Emerald, Victoria

Emerald Melbourne, Victoria
Lake Emerald
Population:	6,135 (2006) [1]
Postcode:	3782
Area:	20.3 km² (7.8 sq mi)
Property Value:	AUD $313,750 [2]
Location:	50 km (31 mi) from Melbourne 11 km (7 mi) from Belgrave
LGA:	Shire of Cardinia
State District:	Gembrook
Federal Division:	La Trobe
Suburbs around Emerald: Kallista Monbulk Macclesfield Menzies Creek Emerald Cockatoo Clematis Cardinia Reservoir Pakenham Upper

Emerald (post code: 3782) is an outer-eastern-suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is within the Local Government Area of the Shire of Cardinia with a small part being within the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Attractions and events

Emerald is known for Emerald Lake (Lake Treganowan) a park where one may take the family and enjoy the peace and tranquility. The lake offers BBQ facilities, children's playgrounds, a pool, water slides, paddle boats, walking tracks, fishing, Environment Centre, miniature railway, cafe and a railway station for Puffing Billy. The Puffing Billy Railway is a heritage steam operated railway opened in 1900, which runs between Belgrave and Gembrook, now recreating the heyday in the 1920s of this narrow-gauge line. It has three stations within Emerald—at Emerald, Nobelius and Lakeside, with Nobelius only being a "Stops if required" station. Also, Nobelius Siding is located between Emerald and Nobelius stations which is only stopped at for functions, or the regular "Dinner Train" at the "Packing Shed" adjacent to the siding. The Great Train Race (GTR) is an annual fun run from Belgrave to Emerald Lake in which participants attempt to beat Puffing Billy to the finish line and is organised by volunteers of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. The track from Belgrave to Emerald Lake which participants run is 13.2kms long, and in 2006 had 2,403 participants in the 25th Great Train Race. Participants of the GTR may win prizes; The first Male and Female runners of the 2007 GTR to be held on the 6th of May will receive a return flight to Antarctica as well as a unique Great Train Race trophy. For details on the Great Train Race, visit Great Train Race. Emerald WinterFest is an annual winter festival held on the last weekend in July taking place on Kilvington Drive in Emerald. Kilvington Drive, is blocked off, to prevent motor vehicle traffic entering, and allowing many WinterFest stalls to be established and enjoyed by the thousands of local residents that attend the event. The WinterFest consists of many small craft and food stalls, antiques and children’s rides. A highlight is a show where ‘Mad Macka and the other bushrangers’ holdup Puffing Billy on horseback in an attempt to steal the Gold being carried on the train. PAVE stands for Performing And Visual arts in Emerald, which is a festival new to Emerald taking place for the second time, this year on the 13th to 22nd of April (2007). The festival includes a number of activities taking place at different locations around Emerald over a number of days. Such activities include the Emerald Arts Society art exhibition at the Environment Centre at Emerald Lake, an exhibition of The Great Wall of Art at the Emerald Community House, a photography exhibition and a Youth Short Film Festival competition, an exhibition and demonstration of local art courses and lessons, craft and produce markets, a historic tour of Emerald and live music. Also notable is the Gemco Hall, which has been home to the Gemco Players Community Theatre since the 1990's. Gemco offers a variety of plays as well as social activities, involving the Emerald community and abroad. Chris and Marie's (Wombat Gully) plant farm was another notable feature of Emerald until it closed down in April 2005. The areas around Emerald are excellent for finding chanterelles and other edible mushrooms, and are a popular destination for mushroom hunters each autumn.

Schools

Emerald has a kindergarten, Emerald PreSchool; a primary school, Emerald Primary School; and a secondary school, Emerald Secondary College.

Emergency services

Emerald has a Part Time Police Station, a Full Time Ambulance Station as well as a volunteer CFA Brigade and SES Unit. The Emerald Volunteer Fire Brigade is located on Belgrave-Gembrook Road near the Corner of Emerald-Beaconsfield Road, and attends approximately 160 Emergency Incidents per year. The Brigade trains on Wednesday Evenings and Sunday Mornings and new members are always welcome.

Demographics

Emerald's population as of the 2006 Census was 6,135 (a decrease of 9 from the 2001 census), (3,050 male, 3,085 female), 4,662 people were aged 15 years and over (2,280 male, 2,382 female) and 460 were aged 65 years and over (200 male, 260 female). According to the 2001 Census, 17 people identified themselves as indigenous persons (comprises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander). 5,461 are Australian Citizens, while 4,770 people were identified as having been born in Australia. 1,365 were born overseas. 5,608 people speak English alone.

References

External links

• Emerald, Victoria is at coordinates 37°55′59″S 145°26′13″E / -37.933, 145.437Coordinates: 37°55′59″S 145°26′13″E / -37.933, 145.437
• Australian Places - Emerald
• Emerald Volunteer Fire Brigade - Protecting Your Community