Wurrundjeri are the traditional owners of the land

The traditional owners of the land where Viewbank is are the Wurundjeri.^[2] Settlement and dispossession of the Wurundjeri lands began soon after a ceremony in which Wurundjeri leaders conducted a tanderrum ceremony, whose function was to allow outsiders temporary access to the resources of clan lands.

Viewbank Homestead

After a millennia of living in the area, the Wurundjeri were displaced and Viewbank was settled by Edward Willis in 1837 and was named after the homestead property built at the junction of the Yarra River and Plenty River constructed in 1839 by pastoralist James Williamson. It was later added to by Dr. Robert Martin. It was owned by the Bartram family 1922-1974 who operated the property as a dairy.^[3] The homestead was demolished in the 1920s after the house had fallen into disrepair. Local residents believed it was haunted.^{[citation needed]}

Between 1996 and 1999, Heritage Victoria conducted excavations at the site with the help of archaeologists from University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and Flinders University with more than 140 archaeology students and members of the community. Stone foundations of the house with remnants of hand-made brick walls, fireplaces and other features were uncovered. Artefacts including toys, game tokens, thimbles and pins were found. Articles of affluence were also found in the form of a network of servant's bells, fragments of marble fireplaces and decorated plaster cornices were also uncovered.^[4]

Remnants of Viewbank's farming past can be seen from the historic silos still standing on Banyule Road.^[5] The site is recognised as having historical and archaeological significance to the State of Victoria, and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database.^[6]

Other history

Mollison Lodge^[7] at 32 Old Lower Plenty Road was built in 1916. It is considered a good example of the Federation Bungalow style, and is enhanced by its mature garden setting. Few pastoral or agricultural buildings survive from the early 20th century, with Mollison Lodge being one of the important exceptions.^[6]

There were many rural allotments along the Yarra River, of which the house at 7 Walker Court appears to be an example, making it of local historical significance. The building is one of the few houses dating from the 19th century remaining in the area, and appears in an early painting.^[6]

The area was primarily developed around the 1960s. Viewbank Post Office opened on 1 October 1962 and was renamed Banyule in 1969.^[8]

Located near The Silo, the famous Flécher Cottage was named after Fletcher Brown.

Several new housing developments were built during the 1990s and 2000s, including the end of Martins Lane, Winston Hills and Eagle View (on Casey Crescent).

Parks and wetlands

• Banyule Flats Reserve encompasses a large wetland of over 46 acres and is considered the largest grassy woodland in inner Melbourne.^[9]
• Castleton Park
• Price Park
• Viewbank Reserve