Clayton, in Melbourne’s south-east, experienced significant growth during the 1960s, establishing itself as both an educational and industrial hub. In 1961, Monash University, Melbourne’s second metropolitan university, opened its doors in Clayton and has since grown to become Australia’s largest university, attracting students from across the globe. That same period saw the opening of primary schools at Westall and Clayton West in 1961 and 1962, followed by high schools at Westall and Monash (Clayton North) in 1963 and 1965.

The suburb also hosted Clayton Technical School, founded in the early 1960s under Principal Mr. Warby, which offered a science wing, woodwork and metalwork workshops, and the main matriculation curriculum up to Year 11. At its peak, the school educated over 1,000 male students, with many completing their final year at Oakleigh High School. Though the technical school closed in the 1980s, the site is now preserved as Fregon Reserve.

Religious education also played a role in Clayton’s development. In 1971, the Catholic bishops of Victoria and Tasmania purchased land near Monash University for Corpus Christi College seminary. The seminary operated until 1999 before relocating to Carlton, and the site now functions as a conference center.

Industry and manufacturing became integral to Clayton’s post-war growth. Several factories were established, including Volkswagen (later Datsun/Nissan), Wilke Printing, Robert Bosch GmbH, and Repco, providing employment and economic development. Clayton South and Westall, located near Melbourne’s sandbelt areas, are home to recreational spaces such as the Spring Valley Golf Club, The Grange Reserve, and Heatherton Park. Former sand quarries were repurposed as sanitary landfill sites, demonstrating the suburb’s evolving land use.

Historically part of the City of Oakleigh local council, Clayton was incorporated into the City of Monash in 1995, becoming its south-western corner. Today, the suburb combines educational excellence, industrial heritage, residential communities, and recreational spaces, making it a dynamic and multifaceted area in Melbourne’s south-east.