Point Cook and Sanctuary Lakes - Melbourne

Point Cook is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and is in the Council of Wyndham. It is 25 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. At the 2006 Census, Point Cook had a population of 14,162.
It is a rapidly developing community with lots of young families moving in to the new estates with larger housing and cheaper property prices.

Point Cook is the home of RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook, the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force, and is the current home of the RAAF Museum.


HISTORY
Point Cook was originally spelt Point Cooke, and named in 1836. Almost all references dropped the "e", however in the early 2000s the point itself was officially renamed "Point Cooke". Point Cook was named after John M. Cooke, mate of His Majesty's Vessel "Rattlesnake'. Commanded by Captain Hobson, the ship charted part of Port Phillip Bay in 1836. William Drayton Taylor leased the land around Point Cook promontory in 1849. The following year in 1850 Taylor transferred his licence to Alexander Irvine. By March 1852, a six room weatherboard cottage, had been erected. In 1853 the pastoralist Thomas Chirnside added the farmlands of Point Cook to his holdings. He built the famous Point Cook Homestead of twenty-five rooms in 1857. Initially Point Cook was an important segment of the expanding pastoral empire established by Thomas and his brother Andrew. As their extensive land holdings were developed substantial homesteads were later constructed at Werribee Park, Carranballac, Mount Williams and Curnong.
Due to the Chirnside brothers' deep interest in hunting, deer & foxes were introduced to Point Cook in the 1850s. As early as 1859 members of the Melbourne Hunt Club and the Geelong & District Hunt Club were invited to hunt at Point Cook. In the early 1860s Thomas Chirnside imported valuable horses for the breeding at Point Cook. The property was said to have three racetracks. The Chirnsides became one of Victoria's prominent pastoral families, entertaining the colonial gentry and organising sporting functions for their guests at Point Cook.
In 1873 the Chirnside brothers began construction of the elaborate mansion at Werribee Park. By 1877 the Werribee Park Mansion had been completed and it largely displaced the Point Cook homestead as their families focus.

1900s
In 1912 the federal government purchased a large section of Point Cook with a vision to establish the Australian Flying Corps (AFC). Due to the success of the AFC in the First World War, the AFC was renamed the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and this led to the eventual renaming of the AFC base at Point Cook to RAAF Base Williams. Point Cook remained the RAAF's only base until 1925 when RAAF Base Richmond and the nearby RAAF Base Laverton were built. Point Cook is considered the birthplace and the spiritual home of the RAAF. Today the RAAF Williams base at Point Cook is the home of the RAAF College including Officers Training School (OTS) and the RAAF Museum.

In 1920 the Chirnside family sold the remainder of the Point Cook property to Sydney Dalrymple. This ended nearly 70 years of the Chirnside family's ownership of Point Cook. Four years later in 1924 Dalrymple sold the northern part of the Point Cook land to Cheetham Salt Pty Ltd for salt recovery lagoons.
Point Cook Post Office opened in 1926, was renamed Point Cook R.A.A.F. Post Office in 1940, and closed in 1993. A new Point Cook office opened in 2005 subsequent to suburban development in the area. Cheetham Salt established a series of ponds in the 1920s where sea water was fed into the shallow ponds and allowed to evaporate. Dried salt was then harvested form the floor of the lagoons. This operation continued until the early 1990s, when the site was purchased by the Victorian Government. The more environmentally important bayside part of the original saltworks now comprises Cheetham Wetlands which make up the migratory bird habitat and conservation area that is there today.
The higher, western section is being developed privately by the various housing estates, such as Sanctuary Lakes that are there today. In 1948 Point Cook hosted the Australian Grand Prix, which was held at the Point Cook RAAF Base. The race was won by Frank Pratt driving a BMW 328.

Today
In 1996, Point Cook was basically a rural community, with the RAAF Williams Base. Point Cook’s population in 1996 was approximately 580, of whom 552 lived on the RAAF base. By 2001, Point Cook’s population had increased to 1737, and by August 2006 the population of Point Cook was 14,162 as per the 2006 Australian Census. Today Point Cook is one of the major growth regions in Melbourne's western suburbs with lots of new housing developments springing up.
It is predicted that the population of Point Cook will increase to 29,263 by 2011 & 41,474 by 2016. When taking into account the Melbourne 2030 Plan's current urban growth boundary, it is believed that Point Cook’s population will peak at approximately 52,000 by the late 2020’s.

Housing Estates
Point Cook is now the home of many new housing estates including Greg Norman designed golfing estate. Sanctuary Lakes is the sister site to Sandhurst in the South East of Melbourne.
Other new estates that have sprung up in the area are:
1. Featherbrook
2. THIRTY 30 ESTATE Point Cook
3. Boardwalk Estate
4. Innisfail
5. Newminster
6. Point Cook Gardens
7. Lincoln Heath
8. Waterhaven
9. The Greens
10. Willow Green
11. Monterey Central
12. Homestead Run
13. Sanctuary Lakes
14. Seabrook
15. Alamanda Estate
16. Hacketts Rise
17. Saltwater Coast
18. Karinya
Unfortunately one thing to consider if purchasing in these areas is that there is still a lack of Broadband and this continues to be an issue, over 50% of these new areas have no access to ADSL services.

EDUCATION
Schools in the Suburb of Point Cook:
A number of schools in the area are either moving premises or merging to cope with the demand the new housing estates have brought. Unfortunately schools in the West have not had a good reputation and it is hoped that these new merges and new schools will stand out.
The schools that parents recommend in the area are Seabrook Primary and Point Cook Primary and in regards to secondary Werribee Secondary and Emmanuel Catholic Secondary.

Below is a list of schools and information about them.

Carranballac - Prep - Yr 9 - Boardwalk Primary and Jamieson Way have merged to form Carranballac College.

The Boardwalk campus, originally known as Boardwalk Primary School was opened to students in 2002, it is located on the corner od Dunnings Road & Foxwood Drive, Point Cook, Vic, 3030. The college uses the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and the Curriculum and Standards Framework II to provide a comprehensive curriculum at all levels encompassed by consideration for the personal, social and emotional wellbeing of individuals. The development of literacy and numeracy are priorities and programs have been developed to focus on these areas. An integrated curriculum approach in the Early Years ensures coverage across the three strands outlined in the Victorian Essential Learning Standards: Physical, Personal and Social Learning; Discipline-based Learning; Interdisciplinary Learning; and a trans-disciplinary approach using inquiry learning in the Middle Years enhances engagement for students at this stage of schooling across these three strands and associated domains.

The main building at Boardwalk comprises a Library; an Art/Technology area providing stimulation for Visual Arts, and provision for delivery of the Technology key learning area; a Gymnasium catering for indoor sports and activities; a Music area; a Canteen facility; and a Computer Laboratory supported by multiple data points in each classroom. A Science Laboratory, and a Home Economics centre support the delivery of middle years curriculum. A Music Centre, complete with rehearsal rooms is located within the grounds. There are 16 permanent classrooms set amongst landscaped grounds complemented by relocatables. There is an oval, two basketball/netball courts and a concrete assembly/play area. In conjunction with VicUrban, the grounds have been developed and include two undercover playgrounds.

The Jamieson way campus opened in 2006 and is situated on the corner of Jamieson Way and La Rochelle Boulevard Point Cook Vic 3030. There are 16 permanent classrooms set amongst landscaped grounds complemented by relocatable buildings. There is an oval, two basketball/netball courts and a concrete assembly/play area. In conjunction with VicUrban, the grounds have been developed and include two undercover playgrounds. Jamieson Way comprises a Middle Years building encompassing flexible learning areas, Science Laboratories and an Information Technology room, project rooms and computer pods and student locker area. A full size gymnasium, canteen, a home economics area including a dining room, are located with a music area and rehearsal rooms, a visual arts facility and technology areas. Relocatable learning areas complement these buildings.

Point Cook Primary School – Prep – Yr 9
Point Cook Primary School is an excellent school, it is currently on the RAAF Base but is soon to move to the cnr of Ponsford Drive and Tom Roberts Blvd Point Cook.
The school will then be a Prep to Year 9 college and if it is anything like the primary school has been this will definitely be a very popular school.

Point Cook West Catholic Primary School - (Stella Maris Catholic Primary School)
Stella Maris opened its doors in 2007 and is the fourth Catholic primary school in the parish of Laverton. The school is in the rapidly developing area of Point Cook West. The school is zoned and shares the Point Cook area with its sister school Lumen Christi.

Point Cook Catholic Primary School - (Lumen Christi School)
Lumen Christi, Catholic Primary School commenced operations on Thursday, January 27th 2000, with a staff committed to offering the highest standard of Catholic education to the children enrolled from Grades Prep to Grade 6. They have an Administration Building, Outside Amenities Block, Re-locatable classrooms and landscaping, play areas and parking facilities complete. Their four-pod classroom was finished and ready for occupation for the beginning of Term 2, 2000. 2002 also saw Stage 2 of their Building project funded by local and Federal money. During this building stage they added a multi-purpose hall, kitchen and storage areas, as well as Part 1 of a classroom block that contains three learning areas, indoor toilets and a designated area for Science. They carefully structure the grades so that they are able to accommodate families that move into their catchment area during the year. It is their aim to enrol children with the minimum of disruption to existing classes. Each year they have steadily increased their enrolment of students and expect a projected enrolment of approximately 665 for 2009. Stage 3 Building Stage was undertaken and completed during 2007 and the scope of works included 3 learning areas, a Sports Stadium, Teacher car parking and street parking for drop-off/pick-up purposes in Kirkstone Rd. The focus of development in 2008 has been their outside recreation area for students, which includes a regulation junior soccer pitch as well as other play areas all using artificial turf.
The school is situated in Point Cook Road, opposite the Sanctuary Lakes Golf Course.

Point Cook Senior Secondary College Year 10 - Year 12
As most of the primary schools have now moved to teach up to Yr 9, Point Cook Senior will enrol students from Yr 10 – Yr 12 in time for their VCE’s. Point Cook Senior College is a new school for students in Years 10-12 located in Point Cook in Melbourne's west.  The first of the College buildings have only recently been completed and their doors opened for the first time to an intake of Year 10 students on 29th January, 2008 in relocatable classrooms. At this point projections indicate a student population of 100-110 for the first year, although the long term enrolment projection for the College is for 1100 students, with a peak that is considerably higher.

Emmanuel College: Notre Dame Campus at Point Cook (Co-educational Catholic Secondary School Year 7-12)
Emmanuel College - provides Catholic secondary education for young women and men and is governed by the parish priests of the region served by the college - Yarraville to Point Cook.
The College comprises two campuses: Notre Dame campus at Point Cook and St Paul's campus at Altona North. The Notre Dame coeducational campus, commenced with Year 7 in 2008, and will reach Year 12 in 2013. St Paul's campus continues the provision of Years 7-12 boys' education.
Parents thus have the choice of applying for enrolment at either the coeducational or all-boys campus.
Emmanuel has shown some great results over the last few years, which each year being a huge improvement on the last.
The fees for a Yr 10 student average around $6,000 AUS Dollars per year.


FACILITIES

Shopping
A new Point Cook town centre has been constructed on the corner of Dunnings Road and Boardwalk Boulevard, with the development to include a main street retail and commercial town centre, up to 135 specialty shops, as well as Coles, Aldi , Target, Harris Scarfe, Dick Smith Electronics, Growers Fresh, Pharmacy Select and Reject-Shop outlets. Stage 1 had a grand opening on August 21, 2008.
Construction of the $50 million Stage Two Town Centre development is well underway and scheduled to open late November. This new precinct will feature over 40 specialty retail stores, a new concept Harris Scarfe department store, Best n Less and a Food Court with over 400 seats. The Stage Two development will also include more on-street retail, alfresco dining options, an additional 250 car spaces and a purpose built Town Square offering an abundance of safe & accessible outdoor space for the growing local community.

Community Centre
The new Point Cook Community Learning Centre is now open and includes Civic/Community Learning Rooms; Occasional Care Facilities, Toy Library, Community Kitchen, Kindergarten rooms and, Maternal and Child Health Consulting Rooms. The new 950sqm library will also open at the Point Cook Community Learning Centre late September 2009 with Grand Opening festivities scheduled for Sunday 4th October 2009.

Marina
Directly south west of Point Cook will be the new development of Wyndham Harbour Marina. Wyndham Harbour marina, a $440 million project, will be the only waterfront development of its kind - just 25 minutes drive from Melbourne’s Central Business District and right next to Point Cook. The new marina at Wyndam Harbour will have 1000 wet berths from 10-35 metres including 6 super yacht berths. There will also be a 300 berth dry stack. In addition there will be a new beach built on the Point Cook side of the Marina along with 12 hectares of public recreational space & wetlands. The development will also incorporate water/marina front restaurants & cafes. This development is due to start in early 2010.

Sporting Clubs

Little Athletics
Altona Little Athletics is held at Sugargum Drive, Altona on most Saturday mornings during the spring and summer. ALAC is committed to promoting Fun, Family and Fitness. The program commences at 8.45am & is generally finished by 12.00pm. Every age group (under 7-15) with the exception of under 6 compete in five athletics events each week. Athletes compete for one of the 6 clubs (Altona Meadows/Laverton, Altona, Seaholme, Westona, St Mary's and Altona North) while competing against other athletes and striving for their own personal success - whether that be to learn a new skill, achieve a P.B or finish in a certain position.
There are also Little Athletic Clubs in Werribee.

Point Cook Football Club (PCFC)

Point Cook Cricket club (PCCC)

Swimming
Paul Sadlers - Children’s private swimming club at Hoppers Crossing With nine sites and over 500 staff teaching in excess of 22,000 children weekly, Paul Sadler remains the states leader in quality teaching.

Sanctuary Lakes – Has a members only indoor swimming pool

Golf
The Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club is an exclusive members only club, featuring a championship standard Greg Norman designed course.
Demanding considerable concentration and an appreciation of the effect of weather on golf strategy, the links style layout is testing to the novice and challenging to the champions.
With Santa Anna Couch fairways, hardy Fescues and native grasses for the rough and bent grass greens all being meticulously maintained and groomed, it’s little wonder that Sanctuary Lakes is the home of the Men’s Victorian PGA Championship.


TRANSPORT
Point Cook is located to the south of the Princes Freeway, and is served by the Point Cook Road and Forsyth Road exits.
The nearest railway stations are at Laverton on the Werribee line. It takes around 10 minutes to drive to the station and then 27 minutes in to Flinders Street Station in the City.
Point Cook railway station (To be renamed Williams Landing railway station) on the Werribee line is proposed to start construction in 2010, and will be on the corner of Palmers Road and the Princes Freeway

THINGS TO DO

Point Cook RAAF Museum
The RAAF base contains a museum for visitors, most of what is left are prohibited and restricted areas. The RAAF Williams Base contains a Horizon Tank (a diving tank, not an armoured fighting vehicle), one of only three in the world. It was used in the television series Moby Dick and Noah's Ark.

Point Cook Homestead

Point Cook Coastal Park

Tourist attractions neighbouring Point Cook include:.

Werribee Open Range Zoo - African safari world
Werribee Park Mansion




PROPERTY

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