[6] Following World War II, Melbourne burst its borders and flowed into semi-rural land.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Australian government formed agreements with many European countries and actively encouraged immigrants from southern and northern Europe.

Many southern European migrants settled first in Melbourne’s inner suburbs such as Carlton and Brunswick, but as they became more financially established, and more family and friends arrived, many sought to purchase or build larger homes.

Land in developing suburbs such as Oakleigh South provided an ideal opportunity for larger house blocks.

Many people chose to build their own houses and local industries provided employment for many of the first generation of Greek and Italian settlers.

[13] The Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals the following demographic facts about Oakleigh South:[14] A 2005 report called Livable Melbourne that was commissioned by The Age and conducted by Tract Consultants and ACIL Tasman, ranked Melbourne suburbs and assigned them scores on fourteen characteristics such as crime, CBD proximity, and traffic congestion.

The report found that Oakleigh South had a very low crime rate and good proximity to cafes, restaurants, and shopping facilities.