Melbourne’s Street Numbers

Originally there were two separate numbering systems for the Melbourne streets which ran from East to West, for example Flinders, Bourke and Collins Streets.

Elizabeth Street was the starting point for each set of numbers. There was one numbering system for the streets running West (addresses which ran from Elizabeth Street to Spencer Street in the West), and one for the streets running East ( addresses which ran from Elizabeth Street to Spring Street in the East, with the highest numbers at Spring Street). At that time the 'odd' numbers were on the northern side of the street, while the 'even' numbers were on the southern side of the street - the opposite of the situation which exists today.

In 1889 the current numbering system for those streets was introduced, starting, for example, with the lowest numbers at the Spring Street (‘Paris End’) of Collins Street, with the numbers continuing in a sequence through to Spencer Street. At the same time, the 'odd' numbers changed to being on the southern side of the street, and the 'even' numbers were issued to the northern side of the street.

Therefore, references to all street number need to be treated with caution. If the reference specifically states ‘east’ or ‘west’, then the old numbering system was used, and the site being referred to was not the same building as a current address with the same number.

For further information about changes to street numbering in Melbourne refer to article "Changes to Melbourne's Street Numbers".

  REFERENCES & FURTHER READING

Bowden, Keith Macrae. Doctors and Diggers on the Mount Alexander Goldfields. Maryborough, Vic: the author, 1974.

Bowden, Keith Macrae. Goldrush Doctors at Ballaarat. Mulgrave, Vic: the author, 1977.

Ford, Edward. Bibliography of Australian Medicine 1790 - 1900. Parramatta, NSW: Macarthur Press, 1976.

Gannell, Linda. Inasmuch, St John’s Hospital, Hobart. Hobart: Mazengarb Leo Burnett, 1999.

Gill, J.S. The Story of the Launceston Homœopathic Hospital. A Homespun Production, 1989.

Martyr, Philippa. Paradise of Quacks: an alternative history of medicine in Australia. Sydney: Macleay Press, 2002.

Pensabene, T.S. Rise of the Medical Practitioner in Victoria. Canberra:

ANU Press, 1980.

Templeton, Jacqueline. Prince Henry’s: The evolution of a Melbourne Hospital 1869 – 1969. Melbourne: Robertson & Mullens Pty Ltd, 1969.

Australian Medical Pioneers website:  www.medicalpioneers.com

This website provides a database of over three thousand pioneer Australian doctors, including some homœopaths, from the 1700s through to 1875 - doctors who were registered or qualified in Australia, were resident in Australia, or visited Australia in a professional capacity.

 Table of Abbreviations of Medical Qualifications