TARRAWARRA (parish)
The parish of Tarrawarra lies to the east of Yarra Glen. It covers an area which once comprised the pastoral lease of John Thomson, known as View Hill. Sales of Crown Land in the parish occurred in 1856 and 1857 with many of the lots being purchased by George Symons who took over the pastoral lease from William Ryrie in 1850. Others who purchased lots at those sales included John Williamson, John Bell, John Donaldson, William Little, Henry Head, Thomas Armstrong, James Ryrie and William Herbert.
In 1893 the View Hill property was purchased by David Syme, owner and editor of The Age newspaper (Melbourne) who renamed it Tarrawarra. The Aboriginal meaning of the word is unknown but suggestions vary including white cloak referring to the morning mists, and slow waters as reflected in the winding river.
A small post office operated from 1900 to 1957. The railway was put through in 1888 and a railway station existed from 1889 to 1980. Richard Woolcott had a small building placed beside the station in 1893 which served as an Anglican church. It was moved to the Old Healesville Road in 1901 next to the school. The church closed in 1920. The first school operated from 1875 to 1892 at the southern end of Long Gully Road. It was moved to a new location at the top of the hill, on the corner of the road now called School Lane. The school closed in 1929.
With the end of World War I, settlement in the area intensified and in 1918 the parcel of land containing View Hill knoll was sold to the White family.
Sources: Maxime Palmer, Tarrawarra: 130 years on a Victorian property, Melbourne, 1967; Argus 15 Apr 1856
