DANDENONG Dandenong began as a township in 1852, some 30kms from Melbourne and at the turn of the century was an important regional city with its own suburbs. During the mid 20th century it became a major metropolitan manufacturing and commercial area and conurbation of Greater Melbourne. A Business district, the former town centre, covers much of its area and is one of the largest in Greater Melbourne. That said, the original residents related Dandenong as separate from Melbourne, and the gateway to Gippsland. The name is generally thought to be derived from the Woiwurrung word "Tanjenong" meaning "lofty mountains" possibly referring to the nearby Dandenong ranges. Another popular theory that the name comes from 'bad flour', or 'no good damper'. A local tale revolves around local aboriginals finding/stealing a bag of lime and mistakenly using it to make damper. An old local hotel was the 'No Good Damper Inn' In the 1950s, Melbourne rapidly expanded south east along the freeway and Dandenong railway line to Dandenong and beyond and it became major metropolitan manufacturing and commercial area as industry extended into the outer suburbs. By the late 1960s, it was officially a suburban area of Melbourne. The Anglican and United Churches are over 100 years old. The Catholic modern but tasteful There is evidence heritage factors are prevalent, but there are not much many old buildings left. The Dandenong War Memorial is a modern but worthy acknowledgement. The hotels in Dandenong are a mix of the modern and mid early 20th Century. The Dandenong Museum is a modest offering given the size of the ‘town’. There are a number of interesting facets within the city, but in truth take away the market there is not much left. There is no specific heritage reason to visit.