Berwick is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, south-east of Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is the City of Casey. At the 2011 Census, Berwick had a population of 44,779.
It was named by an early leaseholder after Berwick-on-Tweed in Northumberland.
History
The town of Berwick was originally part of the Cardinia Creek run. Subdivision commenced in 1854 and a store, post office, hotel and other businesses were established. Wheat, barley and potatoes were grown, with a flour mill in operating for several years. Dairy farming and cheese making later became the main activities. The Berwick Agricultural Society, originally started in 1848 as the Mornington Farmers' Society, is one of the oldest farmers' societies in Victoria.
The area grew with the construction of a coach road between Melbourne and the Gippsland region, the Post Office opening on 18 September 1858.
A quarry opened in 1859 to supply ballast for the railway line along the same route, which opened in 1877, and a spur line was constructed to Berwick railway station to transport the metal. The site of the quarry is now occupied by Wilson Botanic Park. From 1861 until 1902, Berwick was also the headquarters of the Shire of Berwick, originally formed as the Berwick Roads Board.
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