Homebush, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Homebush
city = Sydney
state = NSW


caption = Horse and Jockey Hotel, Parramatta Road
lga = Municipality of Strathfield
postcode = 2140
pop =
area =
est =
propval =
website =
stategov = Strathfield, Drummoyne
fedgov = Lowe
near-nw = Flemington
near-n = Homebush Bay
near-ne = North Strathfield
near-w = Homebush West
near-e = Strathfield
near-sw = Strathfield
near-s = Strathfield
near-se = Strathfield
dist1 = 15
dir1 = west
location1= Sydney CBD

Homebush is an inner western suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Homebush is located 15 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Strathfield. Homebush West and Homebush Bay are separate suburbs. Homebush is located south of Homebush Bay, an inlet of the Parramatta River.

History

Homebush was established in the 1800s by the colony's then assistant surgeon D'arcy Wentworth. According to local government historian Michael Jones, "Wentworth is popularly credited with having called the area after his 'home in the bush', although Homebush is also a place in Kent." [ Jones, Michael (1985). "Oasis in the West: Strathfield's first hundred years." North Sydney: Allen & Unwin Australia. ISBN 0-86861-407-6 (page 15) ] A more logical origin of the name is to be found in the history of droving cattle and sheep to Sydney's major saleyards, which were located at what is now Flemington markets, also known as Homebush West. Drovers would camp in what was then a pastured terrain at the end of their long journey through 'the bush' and may thus have adopted the name 'home bush'. [This thesis was explored in 1957 by the librarian of Homebush Boys High School, John Lindsay Gordon, who devised a musical stage presentation on the theme.]

Transport

Homebush railway station is on the Inner West line and South line of the CityRail network. Parramatta Road and the M4 Western Motorway are the main arterial roads passing through the suburb.

Commercial Area

Homebush has a small row of shops along Rochester Street, opposite Homebush Public School. These shops extend to The Crescent, opposite Homebush railway station. Many more commercial developments are located along Parramatta Road.

Schools

Local schools include Homebush Public School, Homebush Boys High School and Strathfield Girls High School.

Population

According to the 2001 census, the population of the local government area including Homebush is 28,206. There were 13,862 men and 14,344 women.

Notable residents

Thomas Keneally, author of books such as 'Schindler's Ark,' 'The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith,' and 'The Great Shame,' is an alumnus of St Patrick's College, Strathfield, and grew up in Homebush on the northern side of the railway line.

References

External links