Prior to the horticultural and commemorative function of the Queen Victoria Gardens, the land was being used in its northern region by immigrants, as immigration became the foremost influence in Melbourne’s urban development as a major city.
These immigration buildings were extensions on what was descriptively branded ‘Canvas Town’ that originated from mid-19th century, a community of migrants. This town was the outcome of a multitude of travelers who arrived in Melbourne in the hopes of grasping onto fortune that was dug up in the form of gold. This land became over populated and developed into a “slum area”, complaints would be heard by its inhabitants as we hear the story of one family that migrated to Melbourne in search of a better life but was forced to reside in Canvas Town. The woman states;
“the children’s health and morals equally suffer … canvas walls are insufficient to keep from their ears the dreadful language”.
As the concept behind the city beautiful movement and the garden city was to improve social and aesthetic needs, the decision for its removal was underway since the beginning of the Queen Victoria Gardens development.
