Pascoe Vale is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland. At the 2006 Census, Pascoe Vale had a population of 13,558.

History

Pascoe Vale was named after the John Pascoe Fawkner Estate which was originally a holding of 709 acres. The estate, established in 1839, was bounded by the Moonee Ponds Creek to the west, Gaffney Street to the south, Northumberland Road to the east and Rhodes Parade to the north. John Pascoe Fawkner built a timber house overlooking the creek, in the Marie Street area of Oak Park.

Pascoe Vale Post Office opened on 25 September 1911. A Pascoe Vale West Post Office opened in 1927 and closed in 1976.

People

According to 2006 Census Data, 13,558 people currently reside in Pascoe Vale. This slightly more than the recorded number of residents in the 2001 Census Data, where 13,210 people were recorded as living in Pascoe Vale. The suburb has historically been less culturally diverse compared to other suburbs in Moreland. A lower proportion of Pascoe Vale people were born overseas and Pascoe Vale has the highest proportion of Australian born citizens. 61% of people living in Pascoe Vale speak English at home, which is lower than the metropolitan average but higher than the average in Moreland.

Transport

Public transport is provided by Pascoe Vale station on the Craigieburn railway line and by tram route 55.

The 513 bus route travels along Pascoe Street, Cumberland Road and Bell Street. This bus route links Glenroy and Eltham.

The 527 bus route travels along Derby Street, Bell Street and O'Hea's Street and into Bell Street. The bus route links Gowrie Railway Station and Northland Shopping Centre.

The Moonee Ponds Creek Trail is used by cyclists for recreation and commuting.

Politics

Pascoe Vale is located in the federal electorate of Wills. Although historically a safe Australian Labor Party electorate, the seat was held between 1980 and 1992 by former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, the seat was held by notable independent Phil Cleary between 1992 and 1996, becoming the only non-Labor candidate to win the seat. Wills is currently held by the ALP's Kelvin Thomson.

The state electorate of Pascoe Vale is held for the ALP by former Community Services minister Christine Campbell.

Parks and Gardens

Pascoe Vale is known for its many parks and gardens, including Cole Reserve, Austin Reserve, Kelvin Thomson Reserve and Gavin Park.

The Moonee Ponds Creek is the major stormwater canal in the area and flows through several of its parks and gardens.

Cafes and Nightlife

There are many take-away stores scattered throughout the suburb. There are a number of pizza shops, fish and chip shops, and Asian restaurants, representing the ethnic diversity in the area.

Educational facilities

Pascoe Vale Girls' College
Westbreen Primary School
Pascoe Vale Primary School
Pascoe Vale North Primary School
St. Oliver Plunkett Primary School
Pascoe Vale South Primary School

Sporting Clubs

Pascoe Vale Football Club, an Australian Rules football team, competes in the Essendon District Football League.

Pascoe Vale Cricket Club
St Andrews Cricket Club
Park Panthers Netball Club

Trivia

The Pascoe Vale Veterinary Clinic on the corner of Kent Road and Derby Street is owned by Australian celebrity vet, Dr Harry Cooper. The infotainment series Harry's Practice was filmed at the clinic