Somerville
Postcode: 3912
Somerville is a town in Victoria, Australia, 49 km southeast from Melbourne’s central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. At the 2006 Census, Somerville had a population of 10,030. The size of Somerville is approximately 38 km².
The population of Somerville in 2001 was 10,049 people. By 2006 the population was 10,704 showing a population growth of 7% in the area during that time.
Originally an orchard town, Somerville has experienced large population growth over the last 20 years.
It is served by Somerville railway station on the Stony Point Line, as well as a bus service to Frankston.
Originally, the township was located on Lower Somerville Road, with several original buildings still there today. Somerville Post Office opened on 21 November 1870 and closed in 1893.
The railway came to Somerville in September, 1889, the station was a mile or so from Lower Somerville Road and the town centre moved from there to its current site during the 1890’s. Somerville Railway Station Post Office opened on 15 August 1890 and was renamed Somerville in 1907.
The Somerville Hotel was built in the early 1900s as well as a Mechanics Hall which form part of the Station Street shopping strip.
With two new shopping centres, Somerville is now a true suburb incorporating a large residential area surrounding its commercial centre. The town centre is split by the railway line giving Somerville a spread out shopping district as well as a rather unique roundabout. The Somerville Pub still stands and is a well known landmark. Somerville also has its own major shopping centre, Centro Somerville, which opened in 2009.
There are many parks and playgrounds scattered throughout the township, with the two major ones being the Jones Road Oval (Mel: 148 E2) and the Fruitgrowers Reserve (Mel:107 E 12).
The Mechanics Hall is a popular venue for local bands to play.