Morphett Vale, South Australia
Encyclopedia
Morphett Vale is a southern suburb of Adelaide
, South Australia
in the City of Onkaparinga
. It is the largest suburb in the state, with a population of more than 23,000 and an area of 12.76km², followed by Paralowie
with nearly 10,000 fewer residents. There are approximately 1,000 businesses in Morphett Vale.
Morphett Vale was the first major town south of Adelaide. In October 1840, a town called Dublin was subdivided leading to the development of Morphett Vale. By 1866, the town was said to have ‘a large number of neat residences, many of which have fine vineyards attached’.
Morphett Vale was named after John Morphett
. The town quickly boasted churches and chapels, a brewery, wind flour mill, court house and police station.
Agriculture consisted of cereal, mixed farms and vineyards. 1852 saw the formation of the Morphett Vale District council which merged with Noarlunga in 1932. During the second world war the district was a major producer of flax.
Extensive land subdivision occurred during the 1960s, transforming the area from a rural region to a metropolitan suburb.
Some notable buildings and businesses include: Doctors House on the corner of Beach and Main South Roads, The Emu winery which was later demolished to make way for Wirreanda High School
and a housing sub-division. The Heritage listed Old Courthouse is visible alongside early churches in William Street.
Currently does not have a railway service traveling through the town but did have the Willunga railway line that has since been replaced by a bicycle/pedestrian path. The old Station Master's Residence is now the The Southern Districts Workingman's Club and has been substantially remodelled to its current form. The last tenants of this building are still residents of Morphett Vale.
station is located on the corner of Doctors Road and States Road at Hackham
. It is an entirely volunteer based brigade with 40 firefighters, 5 Auxiliary members and 12 Cadets. The brigade is one of the busiest in the state, responding to between 300 and 400 emergencies each year. The suburbs primarily covered by the brigade are Morphett Vale, Hackham, Onkaparinga Hills, Reynella and Woodcroft. These suburbs include approximately 25,000 residents as well as industrial zones and large areas of rural land.
Three fire appliances are maintained by the brigade, two 2000 litre four wheel drive trucks supplied by the State Government and a smaller 400 litre quick attack vehicle that was purchased by the brigade.
Former Schools in the area
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
in the City of Onkaparinga
City of Onkaparinga
The City of Onkaparinga is a local government area located on the southern fringe of Adelaide, South Australia. It is named after the Onkaparinga River, whose name comes from Ngangkiparinga, a Kaurna word meaning "The Women's River"...
. It is the largest suburb in the state, with a population of more than 23,000 and an area of 12.76km², followed by Paralowie
Paralowie, South Australia
-History:Settlement of the area dates from the late 19th century, with land used predominantly for market gardens and farms. Significant development did not occur until the post World War II years. Rapid growth occurred from the 1980s through to the mid 1990s...
with nearly 10,000 fewer residents. There are approximately 1,000 businesses in Morphett Vale.
History
- See Also: mount Hurtle
Morphett Vale was the first major town south of Adelaide. In October 1840, a town called Dublin was subdivided leading to the development of Morphett Vale. By 1866, the town was said to have ‘a large number of neat residences, many of which have fine vineyards attached’.
Morphett Vale was named after John Morphett
John Morphett
Sir John Morphett was a South Australian pioneer, landowner and politician.-Early life:Morphett was born in London, the second son of Nathaniel Morphett, a solicitor, and his wife Mary, née Gliddon, of Cummins, Ide, Devon, and was educated at Plymouth and Highgate Grammar Schools...
. The town quickly boasted churches and chapels, a brewery, wind flour mill, court house and police station.
Agriculture consisted of cereal, mixed farms and vineyards. 1852 saw the formation of the Morphett Vale District council which merged with Noarlunga in 1932. During the second world war the district was a major producer of flax.
Extensive land subdivision occurred during the 1960s, transforming the area from a rural region to a metropolitan suburb.
Some notable buildings and businesses include: Doctors House on the corner of Beach and Main South Roads, The Emu winery which was later demolished to make way for Wirreanda High School
Wirreanda High School
Wirreanda High School is a Government of South Australia public High School in Morphett Vale, Adelaide, South Australia. The school caters for students from Years 8 to 13....
and a housing sub-division. The Heritage listed Old Courthouse is visible alongside early churches in William Street.
Currently does not have a railway service traveling through the town but did have the Willunga railway line that has since been replaced by a bicycle/pedestrian path. The old Station Master's Residence is now the The Southern Districts Workingman's Club and has been substantially remodelled to its current form. The last tenants of this building are still residents of Morphett Vale.
Country Fire Service
The Morphett Vale CFSCountry Fire Service
The SA Country Fire Service is a volunteer based fire service in the state of South Australia in Australia. Many parts of Australia are sparsely populated whilst at the same time they are under significant risk of bushfire. Due to economics, it is prohibitively expensive for each Australian town...
station is located on the corner of Doctors Road and States Road at Hackham
Hackham, South Australia
Hackham is a metropolitan suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It lies within the City of Onkaparinga.The Coast to Vines rail trail passes through the suburb.-History:...
. It is an entirely volunteer based brigade with 40 firefighters, 5 Auxiliary members and 12 Cadets. The brigade is one of the busiest in the state, responding to between 300 and 400 emergencies each year. The suburbs primarily covered by the brigade are Morphett Vale, Hackham, Onkaparinga Hills, Reynella and Woodcroft. These suburbs include approximately 25,000 residents as well as industrial zones and large areas of rural land.
Three fire appliances are maintained by the brigade, two 2000 litre four wheel drive trucks supplied by the State Government and a smaller 400 litre quick attack vehicle that was purchased by the brigade.
Schools
Morphett Vale boasts a number of schools within its boundaries including:- Calvary Lutheran School
- Coorara Primary School
- Flaxmill Primary School
- Morphett Vale East Primary School
- Morphett Vale West Primary School
- Pimpala Primary School
- Prescott Primary Southern
- Southern Vales Christian College
- Stanvac Primary School
- Sunrise Christian School
- Wirreanda High SchoolWirreanda High SchoolWirreanda High School is a Government of South Australia public High School in Morphett Vale, Adelaide, South Australia. The school caters for students from Years 8 to 13....
- Woodcroft CollegeWoodcroft CollegeWoodcroft College is an Anglican school for students from Reception to Year 12, located in the southern Adelaide suburb of Morphett Vale. The college's motto is the Latin phrase Perservera in Fide.Founded in 1989, the college is celebrating 20 years...
Former Schools in the area
- In 2000, Morphett Vale South Primary School was closed. The site, located on Elizabeth Road next to the Elizabeth Road local shops, has now been completely cleared and turned into a housing estate.
- Morphett Vale High School closed at the end of 2008. The school is scurrently undergoing some demolition and refurbishment for future relocation of other local school based services
Sporting Clubs and Grounds
- Morphett Vale Football Club - Wheatsheaf Road
- Morphett Vale Tennis Club - Wheatsheaf Road
- Morphett Vale Netball Club - Wheatsheaf Road
- Onkaparinga Rugby Club - Taylors Reserve, States Road
- Noarlunga Tigers Basketball Club - Taylors Reserve, States Road