Rockbank
Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox Australian place
Rockbank is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Template:Convert west of the Melbourne central business district, located within the City of Melton local government area. Rockbank recorded a population of 2,583 at the 2021 census.<ref name=abs/>
The land contains many large volcanic rocks making it poor for cultivating crops. The rocks have been used to build walls between paddocks – characteristic of the area west of Melbourne. The rich, red volcanic soil in the area has helped build the reputation of local wineries.
Rockbank is also the host to Victoria's annual Olive Festival.
History
Earlier agricultural activities in Rockbank date back to the pastoral exploits of William Cross Yuille on the plains.<ref>Template:Cite Australasia</ref> He founded the pastoral estate of Rockbank, which soon became the largest estate in the Melton district.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The former Rockbank pastoral station is now known as the Deanside Woolshed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Rockbank Post Office opened on 1 January 1862 and closed on 1 July 1996.<ref name="a">Template:Cite web</ref>
New Cambridge Common School (now Rockbank Primary School) opened on 12 October 1868 and is one of Victoria's oldest public schools.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Following a proposal for eleven new suburbs by the City of Melton, the northern portion of Rockbank became the suburb of Aintree in 2017.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Geography
Location
Rockbank is bounded by the Western Freeway to the north and Greigs Road to the south. The area lies east of the satellite city of Melton and the suburbs of Thornhill Park and Cobblebank, and west of the suburbs of Caroline Springs and Deanside, as well as the development area of Mount Atkinson.
Land features
The Kororoit Creek runs through Rockbank. Mount Cottrell is the highest land point in the vicinity.
Facilities
Education
Rockbank has a K-6 school named Rockbank Primary School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There is also a kindergarten.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Multiple childcare facilities also exist in the Rockbank area.
Transportation
Rockbank railway station is on the Ararat line. The station was upgraded in August 2019 as part of the Regional Rail Revival project.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Rockbank is also serviced by two bus routes and one Night Network bus route:
- Template:Color box from Rockbank station to Aintree<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Color box from Sunshine station to Melton via Rockbank<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Color box from Watergardens station to Melton via Rockbank (Night Network)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sport
Template:Main article The town has an Australian rules football and netball team, the Western Rams, competing in Division Two of the Western Football Netball League. They play at the Ian Cowie Recreation Reserve.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Other services
Rockbank also has a community hall<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and a general store.