Why Emerald Hill?

The hill on which the South Melbourne Town Hall now stands was first known as Emerald Hill, because it was originally a green island surrounded by lush swampland. The hill was a traditional social and ceremonial meeting place for a number of Aboriginal tribes.

In 1851, gold was discovered in Victoria and fortune seekers flocked to a permanent tent city which had been established on the south side of the Yarra, between Emerald Hill and St Kilda Road. This area was known as Canvas Town, with shops, residences and pubs all laid out under canvas tents. The first blocks of land in Emerald Hill were sold in 1852, with the area coming to life in 1854 when Canvas Town was dispersed, with many of the residents moving to Emerald Hill. In 1883 Emerald Hill became a city and changed its name to South Melbourne.

So that's where the name came from.......