Taroona, Tasmania

Infobox Australian Place
name = Taroona


caption =
loc-x =
loc-y =
coordinates = coord|42|56|53|S|147|20|56|E|display=inline,title
state = tas
type = suburb
lga = Kingborough
city = Hobart
fedgov = Denison
postcode = 7053
near-nw = Mt Nelson
near-n = Sandy Bay
near-ne = "Derwent River"
near-w =
near-e = "Derwent River"
near-sw =
near-s = Bonnet Hill
near-se = "Derwent River"

Taroona (an Aboriginal word meaning sea-shell, specifically that of a 'Chiton') is a major residential suburb approximately 15 minutes drive from the centre of Hobart, Tasmania on the scenic route between Hobart and Kingston. Although on the edges of the City of Hobart, Taroona is actually part of the municipality of Kingborough.

Traditional Owners

The traditional owners of the lands now known as Taroona were the Aboriginal people of the Derwent estuary. Sadly relatively little is known about the indigenous people's use of these lands, although some shell middens are said to have been found along the shorelines. "Taroona 1808-1986, Farm Lands to a Garden Suburb" Taroona Historical Group, 1988]

European Settlement

The first European settlement of the area now knows at Taroona took place in the early 1800s, when land was granted to settlers who had relocated from Norfolk Island. For the remainder of that century, the area was largely used for farming, and was sparsely populated. In the first half of the 20th century, more large and elegant residences were built, as well as beach shacks and cottages which were used for seaside holidays by the residents of Hobart.

After WWII, significant subdivision of Taroona was undertaken, and the suburb's population rapidly expanded. Having been developed mainly in the "era of the automobile", Taroona was from the beginning a commuter suburb, and it has a notable absence of commercial or retail premises, with not even local corner stores servicing most of the area to this very day!

Establishment of Taroona High School

:"Main article: Taroona High School"In 1958 a Public High School was established and later Taroona Primary School, which together form the Taroona Learning Centre. The schools are situated on their own stretch of foreshore approximately 300m from the Channel Highway and share use of some facilities such as 2 ovals, a gym, The Learning Centre. It has grades K-10"gr 8 is the best (2008)", . Their is approx. 700 students in the high school. The current Principal isDavid Hamlett

1967 Bushfires

In February 1967, southern Tasmania was engulfed in the most vicious wildfires on record, resulting in many deaths. Taroona was the closest suburb to the city of Hobart to take the full brunt of the fires, which swept across the suburb in the mid afternoon, wreaking havoc, and destroying many homes. Children and residents fled to the river, and many people's survival was due to the refuge the safe waters provided.

Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark

Taroona was the childhood home of Tasmanian-born Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, who attended the river-side Taroona High School before completing her High Schooling at Mount Nelson's Hobart College and embarking on her tertiary degree at the University of Tasmania.Fact|date=February 2007. Also there is David Bartlett, who is the current Tasmanian premier (2008)

hot Tower

Situated on the Channel Highway is one of the State's most historic buildings, the Shot Tower. The Shot Tower is a 48m (157ft) tall, 10m (32ft) in diameter circular sandstone tower constructed by Joseph Moir in 1870 from locally quarried sandstone blocks. Lead shot was made by dropping molten lead through a sieve at the top of the tower and by the time it hit the water at the bottom it was cold and spherical in shape. A climb up 259 steps to the top of the tower gives a wonderful view of the Derwent Estuary. [ [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/historic/visguide/shot_tower/hist.html Guide to Tasmania's Historic Places - Shot Tower] Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Retrieved November 14 2006]

Truganini Reserve

Just before reaching Taroona is the Truganini Reserve, named after the woman cited (with some contention) as the last surviving "full-blooded" Tasmanian Aboriginal. A steep track leads from the reserve through forest up the side of Mount Nelson to the semaphore station at the summit that offers superb views over the Derwent River. The return walk takes around an hour and a half.Fact|date=February 2007

References