It was first created in 1904 after the abolition of the larger Essendon and Flemington electorate, and covers some of the north-western suburbs of Melbourne, including Essendon, Moonee Ponds and Ascot Vale.

[1] Essendon was held by the Liberals during the Bolte and Hamer governments, usually due to preferences from the Democratic Labor Party.

The Liberals also won the seat after the Kennett landslide of 1992.

Judy Maddigan regained the seat for Labor at the 1996 election and retained the seat until her retirement in 2010, when it was won by the then Labor MLC, Justin Madden.

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