Tohme Lawyers – close to the historic suburb of Broadmeadows
Tohme Lawyers – trusted lawyers close to Broadmeadows
Tohme Lawyers is a multi-disciplinary legal practice based in Essendon Fields, only 6km from Broadmeadows.
If you are looking for a lawyer in Broadmeadows, keep Tohme Lawyers in mind, as we are just down the road off the Western Ring Road.
Tohme Lawyers appreciates the deep and rich history of Broadmeadows.
Indigenous Heritage
Broadmeadows sits on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, who lived on the grassy plains north of Yuroke Creek and Merri Creek.
The Wurundjeri Willam clan is believed to have occupied this area at the time of European contact, using controlled burning techniques to maintain the grasslands.
With European colonization in the 1830s and 1840s, the Wurundjeri population was displaced. By the 1850s, many had been forced to relocate to government reserves such as the Merri Creek Protectorate Station and later Coranderrk.
Today, local councils recognize the Wurundjeri as the first inhabitants of Broadmeadows and work to protect Indigenous cultural heritage, with scarred trees and artefacts occasionally uncovered during construction projects.
European Settlement and the Formation of “Old Broady”
European settlement in Broadmeadows began in the early 1840s, with pastoralists establishing sheep runs on the rolling plains.
The suburb’s name was formalized in 1850 with the first town survey, and the original Broadmeadows village—now known as Westmeadows (“Old Broady”)—was laid out near Moonee Ponds Creek along Ardlie Street.
By the mid-19th century, the township had a police station, courthouse, hotel (now Westmeadows Tavern), and a post office (1855).
The North East railway line, which opened in 1872, shifted Broadmeadows’ commercial focus away from the old village.
Tohme Lawyers – professional lawyers near me in Broadmeadows
Close to Broadmeadows is law firm Tohme Lawyers, a professional legal firm with a broad range of services, including commercial law, conveyancing, contracts, family law, litigation, employment law, and more! If you are looking for a Broadmeadows lawyer (aka Broadmeadows solicitor), look no further!
Military Significance and Early 20th Century Development
Broadmeadows remained a rural outpost into the early 20th century, but its wide-open spaces attracted military use.
In 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, Broadmeadows was selected as a major army training site due to its open land and rail access.
A large tent city called Broadmeadows Camp was established, training thousands of Australian Imperial Force (AIF) soldiers before deployment.
Poor conditions at the camp, including mud and disease, led to its partial relocation to Seymour in 1915, but Broadmeadows Camp remained in military use during both World Wars, later evolving into Maygar Barracks, which still houses Army Reserve units today.
Post-War Growth and Urban Expansion
Broadmeadows underwent massive urbanization after World War II. In 1949, the Housing Commission of Victoria (HCV) selected the suburb for one of Melbourne’s largest public housing estates to address the city’s housing shortage.
Over 2,200 hectares of farmland were acquired, and by the mid-1950s, rapid construction of public housing estates saw thousands of families, including many European immigrants, move into Broadmeadows.
The suburb’s population exploded, growing from 3,000 in 1950 to over 30,000 by 1971. New amenities were developed, including Broadmeadows Shopping Centre (now Broadmeadows Central, opened 1974) and Kangan Institute (a major TAFE college).
Broadmeadows and the 1956 Olympics
Broadmeadows briefly gained international recognition when it hosted the road cycling events for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
Cyclists raced on a circuit mapped out in the growing suburb, marking a unique moment in local history. A plaque in Broadmeadows commemorates the event.
Industry and Economic Growth
From the late 1950s, Broadmeadows became an industrial hub, providing employment for many local residents.
A major employer was Ford Australia, which opened a car assembly plant in Campbellfield in 1959, boosting economic activity.
Other factories followed, and by the 1970s, Broadmeadows had developed into a major working-class and multicultural suburb, home to large migrant communities from Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon.
A migrant hostel operated in Camp Road during the 1960s, accommodating new arrivals before they settled permanently. The suburb’s cultural diversity remains a defining characteristic today.
Broadmeadows in the Modern Era
In 1994, Broadmeadows’ governance changed when it merged into the City of Hume, marking the end of its status as an independent municipality.
By the 2000s, urban renewal efforts sought to modernize and revitalize the area.
Key developments included:
- The Broadmeadows Town Hall (built 1964, renovated in 2010s) – now a major events and arts centre.
- Hume Global Learning Centre (opened 2010) – a modern library and community facility.
- Broadmeadows Valley Park – transformed from grassland into parkland with sports facilities and wetlands.
Historic and Cultural Landmarks
Broadmeadows retains a mix of historic and modern landmarks:
- Westmeadows (Old Broady): The Broadmeadows District Roads Board Office (1866) and Westmeadows Tavern (formerly Broadmeadows Hotel, est. 1870s) are among the oldest buildings. Nearby, St Paul’s Anglican Church (1850s) and the former Broadmeadows Courthouse highlight the suburb’s early civic life.
- Maygar Barracks: A military site with WWII-era brick storehouses and a memorial to soldiers.
- Broadmeadows Train Station Memorial: Commemorates WWI soldiers who departed from Broadmeadows for training and service.
- Penola Catholic College (est. 1969): Continues the Sisters of Mercy’s educational mission.
- Broadmeadows Central Shopping Centre: Originally Meadow Fair Shopping Centre (1974), it remains a major retail hub.
Broadmeadows is a suburb of rich history and transformation—from Wurundjeri hunting grounds to a colonial settlement, a military training hub, and later, a booming post-war housing estate. It has seen waves of immigration, industrial growth, and urban renewal, making it one of Melbourne’s most diverse and evolving suburbs.
While Old Broady (Westmeadows) retains some old world village charm, modern Broadmeadows centre reflects mid-century suburban expansion and multicultural influences.
Contact Broadmeadows Lawyer – Tohme Lawyers
For expert, professional legal advice, contact Tohme Lawyers, who are close to Broadmeadows in Essendon Fields.
