Selby 3159 Selby 3159

Selby is a semi-rural township 37 km. east-south-east of Melbourne. It is 2 km. east of Belgrave, and was the first station on the narrow-gauge railway to Gembrook (now the "Puffing Billy"scenic railway).

The settlement of Selby occurred in conjunction with Menzies Creek, a short distance eastwards. The provision of a station on the narrow-gauge railway in 1901 required the giving of a name. Selby was chosen, as a compliment to a local landowner and councillor, George Selby.

The land around Selby is particularly hilly, as evidenced by the curves in both the road and the railway. The eastern side of the township is dominated by the steep Black Hill, on which there is a reserve. Whilst the topography put restraints on farming it attracted tourists and weekenders. In the 1920s Selby's weekend population rivalled Belgrave's, but scarcity of subdivided land drew holiday makers and others away from Selby. Some notable Melburnians built homes in Selby, and the Charlotte Tye memorial Anglican church commemorates the wife of George Tye, owner of a Melbourne furniture emporium.

Selby's proximity to Belgrave ultimately attracted residential subdivisions, and a primary school was built in 1951. The township has several reserves and the post office and few shops continue to serve local needs.

Selby's census populations have been 159 (1933) and 383 (1954).

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