Bankstown is a suburb in the City of Bankstown in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales Australia. It is situated 20 minutes south-west of the city. Its postcode is 2200.
Bankstown has one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Australia. Home to a large Lebanese community, Bankstown also boasts large populations of Chinese, Vietnamese and Macedonian migrants. In all, over 60 different languages are spoken by the people of this suburb. Bankstown is considered as one of the most multicultural areas in the country.
History
In 1795 Matthew Flinders and George Bass explored up the George's River for about 20 miles beyond what had been previously surveyed, and reported favourably to Governor Hunter of the land on its banks.[1] Hunter examined the country himself, and established one of the pioneer colonies there, called Bank's Town, today written as one word Bankstown.[2]
Hunter named it in honour of botanist Sir Joseph Banks, who travelled to Australia with Captain James Cook in 1770. The area of first European settlement along the river has been partially preserved as part of the Mirrumbeena Regional Reserve. Bankstown also includes large areas of the Georges River National Park.
One hundred years after its naming, Bankstown was proclaimed a municipal district on 9 September 1895. At this time there was a feeling of impending growth which was further strengthened by the promise of increased railway extensions. Municipalities already constituted became ambitious and in 1894, both Enfield and Auburn Councils announced their intention to absorb Bankstown as part of their own municipalities. However, a petition was organised and signed by 300 residents resulting in Bankstown retaining its individual status. And on 9 September 1895 it was proclaimed a municipal district. The first election was held on 2 November 1895. With 884 electors on the roll, 112 people voted to cast a total of 213 votes. Each ratepayer was entitled to 1.4 votes according to the assessed value of his property
On 27 May 1980, during a visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Bankstown was accorded city status.
The Bankstown community is not a pleasant place because there are many hard cunts there.
Demographics
Bankstown is one of Australia's most ethnically diverse suburbs.
According to the 2001 Census, 57.1 per cent of Bankstown residents (17,304 persons) stated they had been born overseas — one of the highest proportions in Australia. Nonetheless, the Australia-born still constituted the largest individual birthplace group, at 42.9 per cent (15,278 persons), followed by the Viet Nam-born at 10.5 per cent (3,756 persons), the Lebanon-born at 8.6 per cent (3,055 persons), and those born in the People's Republic of China at 3.9 per cent (1,398 persons).
In terms of ethnicity, the largest group in 2001 were those claiming Lebanese ancestry with 16.5 per cent of the population or 6,339 persons, followed by those claiming Vietnamese or Kinh background at 11.2 per cent or 4,290 persons, and thirdly by those claiming 'Australian' descent with 10.4 per cent or 4,003 persons.
Census data reveals that English only is the most common home language in Bankstown, used by a plurality of 25.9 per cent of residents (9,236 persons), followed by Arabic — the home language of 21.6 per cent (7,692 persons) — and Vietnamese, spoken by 13.4 per cent at home (4,767 persons). The English language was spoken exclusively or 'very well' or 'well' by 72.0 per cent of the suburb's overseas-born in 2001.
According to the census, Christianity was the most followed faith in the suburb with 55.6 per cent of residents (19,791 persons). However, Christians in the area belong to many sects, with the largest proportions being Catholic at 27.3 per cent or 9,708 persons and Orthodox with 12.4 per cent or 4,413 persons. Islam is the second largest faith grouping, accounting for 17.7 per cent of residents or 6,300 persons. Buddhism has the third largest number of adherents, with 9.7 per cent or 3,444 persons.
Famous residents
Famous Australians who lived or grew up in Bankstown include:
- Paul Keating, former Prime Minister of Australia;
- Ian Thorpe, swimmer;
- The Waugh brothers: Steve Waugh and Mark, Australian Test cricket players;
- Terry Lamb, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Australian Rugby League Test player;
- Casey Donovan, winner of the second Australian Idol;
- Paulini Curuenavuli, finalist from the first Australian Idol;
- Andrew and Michael Tierney from Human Nature;
- Bryan Brown; Australian actor.
- Patrick Suriano ; Australian Indoor Soccer (Futsal) International, Steak promoter
- Omar Tlais ; Rising football star.
- Anthony Dalger ; Another rising football star
- Micheal Abinader ; Aboriginal bum scratcher
Important sites
Bankstown Airport was established in 1940 and is constructed on 313 hectares. It has three runways, an extensive taxiway and includes a large business park containing over 170 businesses.
Bankstown holds an extensive and large shopping centre (mall), Centro Bankstown (previously known as Bankstown Square), immediately to the northeast of Bankstown Railway Station. It was first opened in 1966. A project to expand it to include a new Big W and Woolworths store, a 'Fresh Life food district', as well as various specialty shops and 1000 new parking spaces was completed on 22 June 2006.[1]
The CBD is clustered around the Bankstown Railway Station. The ethnic diversity has resulted in a host of good restaurants, eateries and cafes.
Geology
Bankstown is situated in the Cumberland Plains region and is dominated by Bringelly Shale in the north and Ashfield shale in the south. The area south of Bankstown by Georges River is dominated by Hawkesbury sandstone where the soil tends to be shallow, sandy and infertile.
Vegetation
Prior to European settlement, Cumberland Plains Woodland occupied much of the north. Turpentine ironbark forest covered much of the central Bankstown.
References
- Sue Rosen 1996, Bankstown, a Sense of Identity
- ^ A Voyage to Terra Australis by Matthew Flinders, available at Project Gutenberg.
- ^ The Life of Captain Matthew Flinders, by Ernest Scott, available at Project Gutenberg.
