Silvan, Victoria

Silvan is a town in Victoria, Australia, located 40 km east of Melbourne, located within the Shire of Yarra Ranges local government area. Silvan recorded a population of 1,323 at the 2021 census.[1]

Silvan
Victoria
Silvan Reservoir from Kalorama
Population1,323 (2021 census)[1]
Postcode(s)3795
Elevation217 m (712 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Yarra Ranges
State electorate(s)Evelyn, Monbulk
Federal division(s)Casey
Localities around Silvan:
Mount Evelyn Wandin East Seville
Olinda Silvan Yellingbo
Monbulk Monbulk Macclesfield

Silvan marks the halfway point between Belgrave and Lilydale, both large suburban areas. The area's soils, well suited to growing fruits, vegetables and flowers, draw tourists to the various pick-yourself orchards and berry farms in Silvan. A cultivated hybrid variety of blackberry known as the silvanberry is named after the town.[2][3]

History

Originally known as Wandin Yallock South, the town was first surveyed in 1868.[4] The town's name was changed to Silvan in 1913, the same year the local primary school changed its name to Silvan Primary School.

In 1917, and as a result of a growing population in Melbourne's south east, the Silvan Reservoir was commissioned, with the reservoir completed in 1932.[5] A conduit from the Upper Yarra dam was completed in 1957.[6] In 1954 the first Tulip Festival was held, becoming an annual tradition continuing to this day.

Culture

Events

The town's most prominent attraction is the annual Tulip Festival, held every spring during September & October. The festival attracts over 100,000 visitors every year, and its overall success has spawned a number of flower festivals held at other times of the year.[7]

Sport

The town of Silvan is home to an Australian Rules football team, founded in 1921. The Football Club is affiliated with the [[Eastern Football Netball League](EFNL). The Club is known as the Silvan Football Club, (SFC),together with the monicker of the “Cats”. The Club has won an impressive 11 Senior Premierships. 1930, 1934, 1955, 1959 (All in MDFA), 1992, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008 (All in YVMDFL), 2014, 2022 (EFNL). The past thirty years has been an especially successful period for the mighty Cats, qualifying for eight Grand-finals, resulting in an extraordinary successful Grand-final win/loss ratio of 7-1. And an overall Grand-final win/loss ratio of 11-6. The Club also won one Reserve Grade Premiership in 1986, (undefeated) (YVMDFL), and one U17-U19 Premiership in 2019 (EFNL).

The senior team’s longest winning streak stands at 24, between the years of 2007-2009, netting two premierships 2007/08 within that time.

The Club has inducted 62 Life Members, with the first being in 1936, and the most recent awarded in 2022. (Minimum of 200 Club Games or 15 Years non paid Service required to become eligible). After a nomination is received by committee, a majority vote by current Life Members is sought, before the nominee is awarded Life Membership.

The Club boasts eleven 300+ Game players, with Jerry Lamonica holding the club record at 362.

The Club has produced five senior century goal kickers, (H&A totals only)

Alan Sewell (112) 1976* Brett Loughton (115) 2002* Gary Moorcroft (119) 2007* Ben Haynes (115) 2007 Gary Moorcroft (164) 2008*^ Leigh Kimpton (103) 2022*

  • League Goal Kicking Award.

^YVMDFL Overall Record


Notable AFL players who’ve pulled on a Silvan guernsey include Essendon premiership great, and “Mark of the Century” taker, Gary Moorcroft, alongside fellow Bombers, Aaron Henneman, Marc Bullen, and Ben Haynes (who also played at Richmond). Players from other AFL clubs includes Robert Powell (Richmond/Stkilda), Ashley Matthews (Carlton/Fitzroy), Lindsay Gillbee (Footscray), Cyril Mann (Carlton). As well as champion Victorian Sheffield Shield and Australian Test Cricketer, Bryce Mcgain.

Alongside the football club, Silvan is home to a cricket club. Established in 1926, the club is known as the Silvan Cricket Club, with the unique nickname of the “Slugs”. Currently participating in the FTGDCA, and previously in the YVCA. The cricket club has won numerous premierships in many grades, over their near 100 year history, the most recent being in the 2019/20 season, a week before Covid restrictions began in March 2020.

In the 22/23 season, the Silvan Slugs have established their own connection with ex AFL players from the Essendon Football Club. Joshua Begley, Michael Hurley and Dylan Clarke have all graced the picturesque Silvan Recreation Reserve as proud Slugs!

The Club has fielded Netball teams on and off over its 100 year history. With the Club proudly fielding two Netball Teams in the ENFL in 2023. The 2023 Netball Season has been the most successful in the Club’s history. With the Silvan EFNL Division 5 Netballers overcoming a powerful Vermont outfit 41-34, in the Grand Final, reversing the 2nd Semi Final result a fortnight earlier. The netball games record holder, Tracy Ellis notching up 100 games in the current season.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Silvan (Suburbs and Localities)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  2. "Silvanberry Planting". Gardening Know How. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  3. "Berry Varieties". baag.com.au. Bulleen Art & Garden. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  4. "Victorian Places, Wandin". Victorian Places. Monash University & The University of Queensland. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  5. "Culture & Heritage of Silvan Reservoir Park". Parks Victoria. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  6. "Silvan, Victorian Places". Victorian Places. Monash University & the University of Queensland. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  7. Smith, Camille (3 April 2019). "Famous tulip festival ramps up agritourism with autumn festival". Weekly Times. Retrieved 16 July 2019.

Media related to Silvan, Victoria at Wikimedia Commons

37°49′26″S 145°25′16″E


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