Kalorama, Victoria, 3766
01.
Population
The population of Kalorama from the 2016 Census was 1239.
02.
Median
The median house price for Kalorama in November 2021 was $875,000.
03.
Highest
In 2011, the highest price achieved for a home in Kalorama was $850,000
In 2021, the highest price achieved for a home in Kalorama was $1,491,000.
04.
Lowest
In 2011, the lowest price achieved for a home in Kalorama was $336,500.
In 2021, the lowest price achieved for a home in Kalorama was $665,000
KALORAMA – A PERSONAL VIEW
STREET NAMES FROM KALORAMA
Our streets were often named after an outstanding person in the area, a pioneer, early settler or sometimes a family member.
Pioneers (not a complete list)
Jeeves, Isaac arrived in 1855 according to Jack Lundy-Clarke in his manuscript, Mountain of Struggle. Isaac was granted a lease of 160 acres with a further 50 acres granted in 1872. This land became known as Jeeves Saddle and was close to Five Ways as we know it today and ran down to Olinda Creek (then known as Running Creek, renamed in 1862)
Jeeves Avenue, runs off the Tourist Rd, next to Silvandale Store.
Hand, Thomas, a surveyor at the Roads Board selected 300 acres in 1872 – 1875. Home was called Mountain Grange and located where the Kalorama Memorial Reserve is today. Grange Rd was named after this home. There was no creek or spring on his large selection.
Hands Rd runs from Childs Rd/Inverness Rd through to Jasper Rd.
Childs, Matthew arrived in 1855, granted lease of 100 acres, his land also ran down to Olinda Creek.
Childs Rd which crosses the Tourist Rd, runs behind the Kalorama Memorial Reserve and then on the other side, runs semi parallel to Mountain View Rd
Settlers (again, not a complete list)
Dunbar, this family had the dairy in Falls Rd, they were Village Settlers who arrived in the area in 1896. The dairy still exists although has been remodelled/changed over the years.
Caroline Dunbar looked after Jack Lundy-Clarke when he was a boy and he dedicated “Mountain of Struggle” to her, citing, “To Caroline Who loved it and who nurtured me there”
Dunbar Avenue runs off Rosemont Crescent.
Memories of Kalorama from my childhood in the 1970s
The four hilltop schools of Mt Dandenong, Olinda, Sassafras and Ferny Creek would meet annually for the school sports at Kalorama Memorial Reserve.
A wonderful day for the Hills Community to gather.
A favourite memory was of the big kids, usually the Grade 6ers, running the Circular Relay on the inside perimeter of the white timber post railing fence. They would run around, go down behind the hill that used to exist on the oval and to great excitement would appear back in view, often with a change in leader position. I think it was the last event of the day.
A Tip
Kalorama is a beautiful place that really only locals know about so SHHH, lets keep it that way! Take a walk through May Moon track at Kalorama Park, let the children run free at the Kalorama Memorial Reserve, play in the playground, play tennis, just play, play, play out in the fresh air. Let the dog off the leash in the back corner of the Memorial Reserve or explore Kawarra Gardens with some friends. Enjoy the view from Destiny Point Cafe, overlooking Silvan Dam their fritters are my go to meal although there is plenty more to choose from. Kalorama, a hidden gem in the Dandenong Ranges.
KALORAMA REAL ESTATE STATISTICS – A GLIMPSE
Highest sale price in 2021 $1,491,000
Lowest sale price in 2021 $419,000
THINGS/PLACES I LOVE ABOUT KALORAMA
KALORAMA MEMORIAL RESERVE
THE REASON WHY
THE MEMORIAL CAIRN
Named so because of the Memorial to those who served in World Wars 1914-1918, 1939-1945
The plaque was unveiled by His Excellence the Governor Sir Dallas Brooks September 6th 1952
THE KALORAMA MEMORIAL RESERVE ALSO HAS:
- Off lead dog area
- Playground
- Tennis courts
- Log cabin Hall for hire
KARWARRA GARDENS
EXPLORE
KARWARRA GARDENS
The two hectare garden is a hidden jewell featuring more than 1400 different species of native plants, a retail plant nursery, community room and lovely views.
Established in 1965, Karwarra is one of the few public gardens where native plants are used exclusively, giving visitors the opportunity to see how they can be used effectively as part of a landscaped garden.
It is owned and operated by the Shire of Yarra Ranges with support and assistance from the ‘Friends of Karwarra’ group.
THE OVAL – LOCAL EVENTS & COMMUNITY SPORT
THE OVAL
ANNUAL EVENTS & USE
LOCAL SPORT, TRAINING & PLAYING GROUND
Used for soccer and cricket and occasional overflow for local football training when main ground at Olinda is in poor condition because of rainfall and overuse.
CHESTNUT FESTIVAL
Mt Dandenong Pre School and Primary School hold their largest fundraiser here annually on the first Sunday in May.
The Chestnut Festival began as a road side stall a few decades ago and has grown into a major event on the local calendar. A rite of passage almost for children and volunteers in the area. We all go each year because we remember the work required to make the event happen. Fabulous meet up for locals and the not so local.
http://chestnutfestival.org.au/site/
VINTAGE CAR RALLY
The 64th Vintage Drivers Club Rally held at Kalorama Oval with all funds donated to Kalorama/Mt Dandenong CFA held in March
https://www.vintagedriversclub.com.au/kaloramarally
and the Combined School Sports of my childhood
KALORAMA FIVE WAYS
FIVE WAYS
Where 5 Roads Intersect
I always found this confusing. Which 5 roads? I could only count 4. The Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd is counted twice as it intersects the other roads.
Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Barbers Rd, Ridge Rd, Old Coach Rd and the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd.
- Silvan Dam Lookout
- Destiny Point Cafe (try the corn fritters)
- Art School (formerly an Art Gallery and a Bank)
- Previous Methodist Church
- Peace Memorial
ST MICHAELS AND ALL ANGELS ANGLICAN CHURCH
THE STONE CHURCH
A beautiful place
A beautiful Church in a lovely garden, the autumn colours are spectacular.
St Michaels and St Matthews in Olinda are known as the ‘Light in the Hills’ and usually hold a few events throughout the year including a Book Fair (June 18 at St Michaels), Cup Day Fair also at St Michaels and a Labour Day Fair at St Mathews (dates may vary).
KALORAMA PARK
Save the Dandenongs League
May Moon Walk
May Moon was a founder and full time secretary of the Save the Dandenongs League
Awarded an MBE, May passed away September 9 1977
The plaque commemorates May Moon who, up until the time of her death in 1977, was Secretary of Save the Dandenongs League, and was active in the foundation of Kalorama Park.
May Moon, MBE was born in 1893 and became a kindergarten teacher. During World War Two she ran a nursery boarding school at Montrose. She retired in 1950 and built her own small cottage to live in at Kalorama.
May became aware of threats to the natural environment in the Dandenongs such as tree removal and small lot subdivision. With assistance from Prof. John Turner (Professor of Botany), she called a public meeting at Olinda Hall, attended by 200 people and ‘Save The Dandenongs League’ was born. She became Hon. Secretary for the next 27 years.
With the state government, the League raised money to buy the land for Kalorama Park. This was one of her many achievements. May also donated her 2¼ acre land at Montrose for an aged care facility in 1976, which was built and called ‘Tullamore’. May Moon died in 1977.
Professor John S. Turner also has a plaque in Kalorama Park.
John was a founding member in 1950 and President from 1959 – 1982 of the Save the Dandenongs League.
Awarded an OBE, John passed away May 9 1991
John Turner was Professor of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Melbourne 1938-1973 and quickly assumed leadership in the field of conservation. Involvement in the conservation movement included foundation member, Victorian National Parks Association 1952, foundation member, Australian Conservation Foundation 1965, early member, Victorian Land Conservation Council 1970 and Environmental Studies Association, founding member and chairman, National Trust Landscape Classification Committee.
THE COUNTRY PLACE
Conference, Events, Accommodation
HIDDEN AWAY AWARD WINNING
Blissful setting, incredibly peaceful, amazing venue
“The original white settlers, the Jeeves family, came to the Dandenongs in 1855. They established a garden that surrounded their Shiloah Guesthouse. To remind them of their homeland they planted many exotic trees such as chestnut, cedar, spruce, cyprus, linden and silver birch. Today these towering trees are a wonderful connection with the historic past of the property originally settled nearly 170 years ago.
PLACES IN AND AROUND KALORAMA
- Silvandale Store and Post Office (try a pie, they are made onsite)
- Mt Dandenong Pre School and Primary School
- Billanook Primary School Montrose
- Ghilgai Steiner School
- Mt Dandenong Village – IGA, Post Office, Mt Dandenong Hotel, Pellegrinos, Mountain Wholefoods, Dandenong Ranges Real Estate, Montage Cafe etc
- Olinda Village, Sassafras Village
- Croydon Station
- Public transport runs along the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd
