Ascot, Queensland

Ascot
Brisbane, Queensland

Yabba Street
Population 5,730 (2011 census)[1]
 • Density 2,290/km2 (5,940/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4007
Area 2.5 km2 (1.0 sq mi)
Location 8 km (5 mi) from Brisbane CBD
LGA(s) City of Brisbane
State electorate(s) Clayfield
Federal Division(s) Brisbane
Suburbs around Ascot:
Clayfield Hendra Brisbane Airport
Clayfield Ascot Eagle Farm
Albion Hamilton Hamilton

Ascot is a well established suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia,[2] characterised by large Queenslander homes. Ascot is 7 kilometres (4 mi) from Brisbane's city centre. Ascot is perhaps locally best known for its beautiful old homes, the picturesque poinciana tree lined shopping area of Racecourse Road, and for the Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses popular for racing carnivals. Over a third of the suburb is taken up by Doomben and its related outer buildings, Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses.

The population in Ascot was 4,545 in 2001. The 2006 census recorded 5,330 residents and in 2011 the number decreased to 5,165.[3] Decades ago Ascot was mostly private homes, now it is a diverse neighbourhood. Of the total 2,492 private residences, 946 are homes and 955 apartments.[4]

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Ascot recorded a population of 5,730 people, 52% female and 48% male.

The median age of the Ascot population was 37 years, the same as the national median.

73% of people living in Ascot were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 69.8%; the next most common countries of birth were England 3.9%, New Zealand 3.8%, India 1.5%, Italy 0.8%, South Africa 0.8%.

84.3% of people spoke only English at home; the next most popular languages were 1.6% Italian, 0.8% Punjabi, 0.7% Cantonese, 0.7% Mandarin, 0.7% Greek.

History

Historically, the land was occupied by the Aboriginal Turrbal clan. The Turrbal called the area Yowoggerra, meaning Corroboree Place. The clan had camping grounds on the north side of the Brisbane River around the Breakfast Creek area. It was at Breakfast Creek that explorers Oxley and Cunningham met members of the clan in 1824. The clan was often called the ‘Duke of York’s clan’ by whites. In 1858 two Aborigines, Dalinkua and Dalpie from the Breakfast Creek area, wrote letters to The Moreton Bay Courier protesting the treatment their people.[5]

Convicts were used in the 1830s to clear land and build basic roads. Within a decade wealthy free settlers took land with a view of the Brisbane River. In 1855, pastoralist James Sutherland purchased a large portion of land in the Brisbane area, including Ascot and its surrounds. He built one of Ascot's surviving and historically listed homes, Windermere.

The Eagle Farm Racecourse was established in 1863. Horse racing was one of the earliest sports in Brisbane and the name "Ascot" was given to the suburb as a tongue-in cheek reference to Ascot, England, and its prestigious Ascot Racecourse. There were racing stables throughout the suburb until the late 1920s.[2][6]

"Nyrambla" 21 Henry Street, Ascot, from Yabba Street, in its early days

During World War II, several buildings were used by General Douglas MacArthur and the Central Bureau, which had its headquarters at "Nyrambla", 21 Henry Street. In July 1942, MacArthur moved his headquarters to Queen Street in Brisbane city. The Central Bureau work of intercepting and decoding Japanese intelligence remained in Ascot.[7]

Also used was the fire station at 77 Kitchener Road and several other locations in nearby Hamilton. In 1941 military authorities took over the racecourse, then known as Camp Ascot, to house thousands of American troops. Camp Ascot was home to several US units, including the 2nd battalion of the 131st Field Artillery Regiment and the 35th Fighter Group comprising the 39th, 40th and 41st Fighter Squadrons and Headquarters Squadron.[8]

Since 1990s the old servants' quarters of "Nyrambla" have been home to the late Australian actor Bille Brown (1952-2013), honorary ambassador for Queensland for his stage work in the Queensland Theatre Company in Brisbane and the Royal Shakespeare Company.[9]

Transport

Aerial view of the Riverview Terrace area of Ascot c. 1930

Due to the popularity of the horse races, in 1882 a railway line branch was extended from Eagle Junction Eagle Farm Racecourse in Ascot. In 1899 the first electric tram service was extended to Ascot. Trams which ran from Hamilton along Racecourse Road, Lancaster Road and terminated in Alexandria Road continued until 1969.[10] Ascot railway station Doomben railway station provide access to Citytrain services.

Heritage listings

Ascot has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Windermere house has one of the longest family histories in Ascot. It was built by founder of the Ascot suburb James Sutherland for his daughter. After marrying politician/pastoralist John George Appel, the home remained in part of Appel family estate.[15] It is a large home with large surrounding gardens, keeping the house private from view. It has Queenslander style verandahs and each corner is elaborated, one with large bay window, the other with a corner pavilion.[16]

Schools

Ascot has a kindergarten in Kitchener Road, a preschool in Barlow Street and a primary school in Pringle Street. St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School is the one private school in the neighbourhood that provides education from years pre-prep to twelve. Ascot State School in Anthony Street provides primary education from preparatory class to year six.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Ascot (Brisbane - Qld)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Ascot (entry 43602)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "2011 Census QuickStats Ascot". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "householdcomposition". ABS. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "Ascot Aboriginal History". BRISbites: Suburban Sites. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  6. ↑ "Brisbane – Suburbs – Ascot, ca. 1925". Accession number: 90-2-5. Queensland Place Names Board, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  7. ↑ McMahon, Bruce (25 April 2007). "Battling behind the scenes". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "Camp Ascot". Teddy W. Hanks & Ronald Daughtry. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "Bille the kid". The Courier-Mail. 2 March 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  10. ↑ "Learn about Hamilton ward". davidmclachlan.com.au. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  11. ↑ "Eagle Farm Racecourse and Ascot Railway Station (entry 602195)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  12. ↑ "Musket Villa (entry 601741)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  13. ↑ "Chateau Nous (entry 600047)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "Windermere (entry 600048)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "Appel Family Photographs". John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "Windermere, Ascot". your brisbane past and present. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  17. ↑ "Schools in Ascot". Education Queensland. Retrieved 9 October 2013.

External links

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Coordinates: 27°25′55″S 153°03′54″E / 27.43194°S 153.06500°E / -27.43194; 153.06500 (Ascot)

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